Program Overview

The Foundations: MDP is the official training program for ministers in the Church of God of Prophecy. The program consists of six courses with different lessons that equip ministers with sound biblical and theological instruction, practical leadership skills, and applicable ministry training.

About the Program

If you desire to increase your effectiveness and impact in ministry as a pastor, missionary, church planter, teacher, or ministry leader, or if you are pursuing your call to ministry, the FOUNDATIONS: Minister’s Development Program is for you!

Prepared by a multicultural team of more than 30 COGOP pastors and experienced ministry leaders from fourteen nations on seven continents, these free on-site and online courses combine practical biblical and theological instruction with real-world ministry training.

The FOUNDATIONS: Minister’s Development Program is for YOU

If you enjoy taking classes and studying in a structured environment and wish to learn as much as you can about the Bible, theology, and effective leadership.
If you feel ill-equipped to fulfill your role as a pastor or ministry leader and desire additional training through free on-site or online instruction.
If you feel called to advanced ministry training. After completing this program on-site or online with qualified instructors, nine credit hours can be applied toward a Certificate of Ministry and Theological Studies at Spirit & Life Seminary.
If you wish to pursue ministerial licensure in the Church of God of Prophecy.

Each Free Course Provides

Instructional study

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Each course lesson topic

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The entire program will be a total

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Develop Your Ministry

THE MINISTER AND GOD’S WORD

This course focuses on basic knowledge of the Bible, foundational Bible doctrines, and the hermeneutical process as well as an understanding of apologetics.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will develop a greater understanding of God’s Word—its authority and content, methods of study and defense, as well as an overview of several major Bible doctrines. In every lesson there are opportunities to explore how you can apply what you are learning to more effectively handle God’s Word as you minister to your congregation and community.

WHAT TO EXPECT

There will also be various knowledge checks and reflection points throughout the lessons as well as downloadable supplemental content that you will have access to offline. Each lesson includes a final assessment that is specific to that lesson.

Before beginning each lesson take time to download the student’s guide so that you can take notes.

THE MINISTER’S PERSONAL LIFE

You will explore a variety of issues related to the minister’s personal life, including spiritual formation, the minister’s marriage and family, and the importance of developing habits that lead to a lifetime of growth and effectiveness.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will develop a greater understanding of how to integrate your personal life with your ministry activities—how you express personal devotion to God, how you handle temptations and challenges, how you practice self-care, how you conduct yourself in your marriage and family life, and how you continue to pursue your spiritual growth as a minister. In every lesson there are opportunities to explore how you can apply what you are learning to your own life and to those you serve.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each lesson will have a similar structure to aid in consistency. The seven lessons in this course are broken down into smaller sections, so that you have flexibility in the content and the pace at which you learn. There will also be various knowledge checks and reflection points throughout the lessons as well as downloadable supplemental content that you will have access to offline. Each lesson includes a final assessment that is specific to that lesson. Before beginning each lesson take time to download the student’s guide so that you can take notes.

THE MINISTER AND PRACTICAL MINISTRY

You will learn the “nuts and bolts” of pastoral ministry: how to preach, teach, counsel, plan worship services, celebrate the sacraments, launch small groups, lead evangelistic outreaches, and develop programs for children, youth, and families.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will develop a greater understanding of the tangible ways a minister may serve their congregation—preaching, teaching, planning worship services, celebrating sacraments, serving families, counseling, and developing ministries such as children, youth, and small groups. These overall objectives should be considered as you study each lesson. In every lesson, there are opportunities to explore how you can apply what you are learning to effectively minister to your congregation and community.

WHAT TO EXPECT

THE MINISTER’S ROLE AS LEADER

You will develop a greater awareness of the critical need for godly leadership as you learn practical skills for fulfilling the key leadership responsibilities that are essential for sustaining the health and fruitfulness of the local church.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will develop a greater understanding of what it means to be a spiritual leader as you learn effective leadership skills. Along with special attention to the development of emerging leaders, you will also consider the impact culture can have on the local church. In every lesson there are opportunities to explore how you can apply what you are learning to help you effectively lead current leaders, potential leaders, your congregation, and the community you serve.

WHAT TO EXPECT

THE MINISTER’S COMMITMENT TO EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

This course addresses the most significant aspects of the local church’s mission—evangelism and discipleship. Each lesson provides a biblical foundation as well as practical principles and tools to aid pastors and ministry leaders in accomplishing these two missional tasks.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will develop a greater understanding of the individual believer’s call and the church’s role in evangelism, best practices for assimilating and discipling new believers, and the vital importance of missions. In every lesson there are opportunities to consider ways you and your congregation can become more fully involved in evangelism and discipleship.

WHAT TO EXPECT

THE MINISTER AND THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY

This course will acquaint pastors and ministry leaders with the structure, polity and practices of the organization they serve. Sound principles will provide guidance in aligning the local church with the organizational structure.

OVERALL GOALS

In this course you will gain a greater understanding of how the Church of God of Prophecy fits into the overall history of Christianity as you survey our Pentecostal distinctives, our polity and practices, our financial structure, and the biblical foundations of our “Statement of Faith.” In every lesson, there are opportunities to explore how you can apply what you are learning to align your ministry with the beliefs and practices of the Church of God of Prophecy.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Ministry Licensure Requirement

Foundations: Minister’s Development Program has been accepted by the international presbytery of the Church of God of Prophecy as the requirement for ministerial licensure. When a participant completes this program, the state/regional/national overseer will receive a copy of the Certificate of Achievement to verify that a participant has met this requirement. If the participant is pursuing ministry licensure, a notification that the Certificate of Achievement has been awarded will also be sent to the general presbyter of the area.
Note: Completion of this program does not assure ministry licensure. Every person that desires ministry licensure must go through the ministry licensure process as outlined in the Ministry Policy Manual.

Educational Advancement

Foundations: Minister’s Development Program also provides a pathway to higher ministry education through Spirit & Life Seminary. After completing the program online or onsite with instructors whose credentials are verified through CBL, a participant may request a transfer of nine credit hours from CBL towards completion of the Spirit & Life Seminary Certificate of Ministry and Theological Studies.