The Kerusso | 2020 October

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2020

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The Kerusso – October | 2020 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Looking for Affordable Ministerial Education?

Take another look at the EMC’s Haggard School of Ministry The Haggard School of Ministry was established by the Evangelical Methodist Church in 2012 and is named after Dr. Cornelius P. Haggard, the 13th President of Azusa Pacific College, now Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Haggard was a highly respected academician, theologian, and a key leader in the earliest days of the Evangelical Methodist Church.

It was his commitment to theological education and ministry that the EMC sought to memorialize in the naming of the Haggard School of Ministry.

The Haggard School of Ministry (HSOM) operates under the supervision of the General Board of Ministerial Education and is responsible for overseeing curriculum development, securing and approving academically qualified faculty, and for approving the operational policies including the setting of tuition and fees.

The mission of HSOM is to prepare and equip candidates for ministry in the Evangelical Methodist Church for service to the kingdom of God. When undergraduate and/or graduate theological education is not possible, the Haggard School of Ministry provides quality ministerial education to candidates seeking to answer God’s call to Christian service.

The goals are: To provide academic courses that will enable ministerial candidates to gain proficiency in general education, Bible, theology, and pastoral ministry; To provide students with the biblical, theological, and practical skills necessary to perform the ministerial tasks to which they have been called; To instill in candidates a commitment to Christ-like living; And to inspire candidates to embrace Wesley’s vision for worldwide evangelism, The World, My Parish.

“The Haggard School of Ministry is a tremendous blessing to me, as it affords me the opportunity to train for ministry while continuing to work a full time job. The instructors are incredible and the tuition is more than affordable. The timing of the courses has been God-ordained as well. I took Homiletics last July and became campus pastor of Mt. Calvary Church in January (2020) when the church merged with Riverside EMC. I was in the midst of taking Pastoral Care and Counseling when we experienced an unspeakable tragedy. I was able to apply what I had learned, truly ministering to a grief-stricken family. I thank the Lord for my instructors and for the vision of the Haggard School. I am extremely grateful for the EMC for the opportunity to become better equipped for ministry.”

Howie McKinney III, HSOM Student and Campus Pastor, Mt. Calvary Church, Christiansburg, Va.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

The Kerusso – October | 2020

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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

The Kerusso interviewed Dr. Brian Donley, the Dean of the Haggard School, to seek answers to key questions.

Kerusso:

Dr. Donley, how robust is the training and education that a student in the Haggard School will receive?

Donley:

The training and education is designed to prepare credential candidates in Bible, theology, and pastoral ministry. All the courses are taught at the bachelors degree level by well-qualified EMC faculty with years of experience in ministry, and with a strong emphasis on the practical application of ministry.

Kerusso: Considering the full scope and sequence of the school for Local Preachers, how many classes are involved, and how long will it take to complete? And the same questions for the full Elder’s course?

Donley: The Deacon/Deaconess credential involves four courses, the Local Preacher credential has seven courses. Both of these credentials can be completed in one year. The Elder’s curriculum has a total of twenty courses and can be completed in two years. The Deacon/Deaconess credential is entirely online.

The Local Preacher credential involves four online courses and two “one-week face-to-face” classes taught at EMC Headquarters. The Elder curriculum involves two “one-week face-to-face” classes while the remaining courses are offered online.

Kerusso:

And what is the full tuition for both the Local Preacher coursework, and the full course for Elders?

Donley:

With the exception of “This Is the EMC” and “Pastoral Life and Ministry”, all courses are $75 per semester hour.

The Deacon/Deaconess credential is $675.

The Local Preacher credential is $1,350.

The Elder credential is $2,025 per year or $4,050 total.

Kerusso:

May individuals take individual courses even if they are not officially enrolled as ministerial candidates?

Donley:

Absolutely! We welcome members of our EMC churches to enroll in our Haggard School of Ministry.

Kerusso:

For those who wish to enroll, what is the first step?

Donley:

A copy of the online General Catalog providing more detailed information, a complete list of the courses offered as well as a course calendar can be viewed by clicking here: HSOM General Catalog For individual EMC members who would like to enroll, click here HSOM Application to fill out an online form.

Thank you, Dr. Donley, for talking with us today.

Interested individuals needing more information should contact Dr. Brian Donley at bdonley@northstate.net

The Kerusso – October | 2020

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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

EMC Stewardship Department

Need assistance with writing your will or with estate planning?

Contact Butch Hayes for more information and to schedule an appointment for you and your congregation.

The EMC Department of Stewardship stands ready to help at no cost to you!

Call (812) 564-1000 or

EMail: b_dhayes@hotmail.com

The Kerusso – October | 2020

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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Indian Cave Youth Camp Update - Your Help Is Needed!

Submitted by, Pastor Brian Gordon, Board of EM Youth & Children’s Ministries, Chairman Indian Cave Youth Camp is a place set apart. In a 1959 District Conference of the then Virginia-North Carolina District of the Evangelical Methodist Church, each church pledged to raise $200 to purchase approximately 40 acres of land to establish a youth camp just outside of Danville, VA. In the summer of 1960, the EMC held it’s first youth and children’s camp on the grounds of what would become Indian Cave Youth Camp. For 60 years Indian Cave has hosted EMC Kids Camps and Youth Camps, in addition to weekend retreats, men’s conferences and women’s conferences. Besides EMC events and activities, Indian Cave has been a place set apart for churches and groups from across the denominational spectrum. Each year nearly 2,000 attendees arrive for the various camps and retreats, traveling from at least 6 states.

The altars at Indian Cave have been holy ground over the years where countless numbers of young people were saved, sanctified, and called. Many pastors, missionaries, youth pastors, and worship leaders trace their calling to an Indian Cave chapel service. Indian Cave Alumni are board members, Small Group leaders, youth leaders, and workers in our Evangelical Methodist Churches.

And then there was COVID. Youth camps have been hit hard this year, and Indian Cave was no exception. COVID restrictions forced ICYC to shut down, as we were prevented by the Virginia Governor’s executive order from hosting any overnight camps. Since nearly 70% of ICYC’s normal operating budget is generated via rental income this has been a particularly difficult season for us. Of the remainder of our budget 13% is denominational support, with the remaining 17% arriving via undesignated charitable contributions.

Eventually, our nation (and the world) will come to grips with COVID and life will return to normal. When that happens ICYC wants to be there as a place set apart to help raise up the next generation of Christian leaders. In order to do that we need your help. ICYC’s bare bones operating costs in these difficult times are approximately $6,000 per month. We are asking our churches to consider sending at least a portion of what you would typically spend to send your kids or youth to camp. Your contribution will help us to maintain our facilities and pay our basic operational costs. We are believing with you for greater days ahead! Contributions can be sent to ICYC, PO Box 165 Ringgold, VA 24586.

Meet Our Camp Director Rickie Garner (pictured with his wife, Kathy) has been ICYC Camp Director since 2007. But he has been involved with ICYC for much longer than that. In fact, Rickie was a young boy when he attended the camp in its opening year of 1960. And he just never stopped going! In 60 years (not counting this COVID interrupted year) Rickie has only missed camp one time! Over the years he has served in various capacities in his local church and on the district and denominational level.

For many years he served as youth director at Community EMC, Atlantic District Youth Director, served on the youth camp board, and the district council. In his spare time he operates Pilot View Woodworks in Thomasville, NC.