Churches of God History, Doctrine and Polity



Churches of God History, Doctrine and Polity

September 13-14, October 18-19, and November 15-16, 2019

Eastern Regional Conference – Ministry Training Institute (MTI)

Location: All classes will be held at (To be announced).

Instructors: Dr. Michael C. Walker Pastor Edward L. Rosenberry

Office: (717) 766-7537 Cell: (717) 492-6900

Email: walker80@ Email: edwardrosenberry@

I. Course Goals and Objectives

This course contributes to the achievement of the following institutional and educational goals:

• Students demonstrate an understanding of the founding of the Churches of God, General Conference, and an overall understanding of the history, growth and development of the denomination, as well as its current operations, vision and worldwide mission.

• Students demonstrate an understanding of the polity and structure of the Churches of God on a local church and regional conference level, as well as on the General Conference level.

• Students demonstrate an understanding of the distinctive doctrines of the Churches of God, General Conference including the three ordinances practiced by the Churches of God.

• Students demonstrate an understanding of practical ministry in context, including but not limited to the celebration of the ordinances, weddings, funerals, child dedication, home communion, etc.

II. Course Methodology:

To demonstrate achievement of these goals, students taking the class for credit will…

• Read required materials as listed in this syllabus

• Prepare four papers:

1. A 3-5 page paper that defines and explains the basic theories of scriptural inspiration from a biblical perspective including a discussion of inerrancy and infallibility. This paper is due on or before October 18.

2. A 3-5 page paper that explains Forney’s five points in relationship to each of the ordinances. This paper is due on or before October 18.

3. A 3-5 page paper that discusses each of these topics, and the Churches of God position on each: regeneration, sanctification, free moral agency, soteriology, and eschatology. This paper is due on or before November 15.

4. A 3-5 page paper that discusses the events and the reasons behind Winebrenner leaving the Salem Reformed Church and beginning the Churches of God. This paper is due on or before November 15.

• Participate in class discussion.

NOTE: Anyone auditing the course is not expected to prepare the four assigned papers.

III. Grading Scale

A 93-100 Outstanding

A- 90-92 Superior

B+ 87-89 Very good

B 83-86 Good work

B- 80-82 Satisfactory

C+ 77-79 Above average

C 73-76 Average

C- 70-72 Acceptable but definitely below

average

D, F 69↓ Not acceptable

NOTE: A final grade of D or F will not meet the requirements for MTI course fulfillment.

IV. Reading List

The following resources may be bought directly on line from the Churches of God Publications Office at the CGGC website (). Click on the resources dropdown menu and go to the bookstore. If you have questions or need assistance, call Kris Cupp at the CGGC office (419) 424-1961. These resources will be priced individually, and should be obtained before class begins. Titles in bold type need to be read before class. The others are intended as reference, but should also be read or reviewed for additional information as time allows.

1. We Believe & Here We Stand booklets

2. Constitution of the General Conference

3. The Worship Manual

4. The Philosophic Basis of the Ordinances, by C.H. Forney

5. The Ordinances: Baptism, Feet Washing and the Lord’s Supper, by John Winebrenner

6. John Winebrenner: 19th Century Reformer, by Richard Kern

7. The History of the Churches of God, General Conference: A study guide, by E. Rosenberry

8. A Historical-Doctrinal Reader, compiled by E. Rosenberry

9. Biographical Annals, compiled by E. Rosenberry

10. The Testimony of a Hundred Witnesses (excerpts)

V. Schedule of Class Sessions: The class will follow the schedule below with flexibility as needed:

Friday, September 15 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. Devotions & Course Introduction Dr. Walker

8:30 - 9:15 An Understanding of the Doctrine of Inspiration

9:15 – 10:15 A practical conversation on visitation, funerals, weddings, and other pastoral duties

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 – 11:00 An examination of the 1925 & 1975 statements of faith and the We Believe booklet

11:00 – 12:00 p.m. A discussion on the nature of an ordinance (Forney)

12:00 – 1:15 p.m. Lunchtime

1:15 – 2:00 Discussion on the ordinance of baptism

2:00 – 2:45 Discussion on the ordinance of feet-washing

2:45 – 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 – 3:45 Discussion on the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper

3:45 – 4:45 Discussion on Child Dedication & Anointing w/ Oil

4:45 – 5:15 Review – Q & A

5:15 p.m. Adjournment

Saturday, Sept. 16 8:15 – 8:30 a.m. Devotions Pastor Rosenberry

8:30 – 9:30 A look at CGGC positions on moral & social issues

and the Here We Stand booklet

9:30 – 10:15 A practical conversation on the Ordinances

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 – 11:45 A service of Feet-Washing and the Lord’s Supper

11:45 – 12:15 p.m. Review - Q & A

12:15 p.m. Adjournment

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Friday, Oct 18 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. Devotions Dr. Walker

8:30 - 9:30 Background: Church Councils, Reformation & Pietism

9:30 - 10:15 The American Experience: Immigration & Revivalism

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 - 11:15 The Life of John Winebrenner (See Kern’s book)

11:15 - 12:00 p.m. The Emergence of a Movement (1820 - 1860)

12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Lunchtime

1:15 - 2:00 Introduction to the basic forms of church government

2:00 - 2:45 An Expanding Church Organization (1860 - 1900)

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 - 4:45 Discussion of topics of regeneration, sanctification, free moral agency, soteriology, and eschatology

4:45 – 5:15 Review – Q & A

5:15 p.m. Adjournment

Saturday, Oct 19 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. Devotions: Pastor Rosenberry

8:30 – 9:15 A look at the publishing and educational interests of the Churches of God, General Conference

9:15 The CGGC Mission/Vision (Lance Finley)

9:25 Cross Cultural Ministries: (Ben Tobias)

(Travis Helm)

9:35 Publications: (Kris Cupp)

9:45 New Churches: (Bill Shoemaker)

9:55 Transformational Ministries: (Brandon Kelly)

10:00 CGGC Communications: (Mike Martin)

Advocate & Signal: (Rachel Foreman)

10:05 Pensions: (Darlene Mattox)

10:10 Finances: (Bob Stephenson)

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 Historical items - Show & Tell Ed Rosenberry

10:45 The ERC Mission/Vision: Nic DeFrancesco

11:00 Credentialing & Placement Brian Warner

11:15 Church Health Dave Williams

11:30 Pastoral Family Health Dale Miller

11:45 Church Multiplication Chuck Frank

11:45 - 12:15 p.m. Review - Q & A

12:15 p.m. Adjournment

**********************************************************************************

Friday, Nov, 15 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. Devotions & Course Introduction Dr. Walker

8:30 - 9:30 An Established Denomination (1900 - 1940)

9:30 - 10:15 A Main-Line Christian Church (1940 - 1980)

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 - 11:15 The Rebirth of a Movement (1980 - 2020)

11:15 - 12:00 p.m. Heroes and Heroines of the Faith

12:00 - 1:15 p.m. Lunchtime

1:15 – 2:00 A discussion of historical issues in the Church of God including Nevin & new measures, Warner & holiness, Pentecostalism & the second work of grace, gifts of the Spirit, etc.

2:00 – 2:45 A discussion of the role of women in the church, church property ownership, Calvinist & Arminian perspectives, and other historical issues.

2:45 - 3:00 p.m. Break

3:00 – 4:45 An examination of Winebrenner’s 27 Points and their impact on the Churches of God

4:45 - 5:15 Review – Q & A

5:15 p.m. Adjournment

Saturday, Nov. 16 8:30 - 12:30 p.m. CGGC Historical Site Tour – Guests Welcome

We will plan to visit several sites important to CGGC history possibly including: Winebrenner’s gravesite, the Metropolitan Bethel, Salem UCC facility, Mechanicsburg Union Bethel, the Mechanicsburg Church bethel, Peace Church building, etc.

VI. Ministry Training Institute Policies:

• All work is due to the professor as stated in the syllabus schedule.

• Late work may be downgraded one letter grade per week when the lateness is not due to an excused absence or other extenuating circumstances. This same policy will also apply to scheduled examinations or tests. There will be no exceptions to the foregoing policy except by action of the MTI program director based on a written petition by the student and recommendation by the instructor.

• Acceptable utilization of laptop computers in the classroom during any class is for note-taking and directly-related course activities only. Unacceptable usage during class time includes e-mail, internet, games, messaging and other activities not directed related to the course. Violations may result in disciplinary action.

• Cell phones are an unnecessary distraction in the classroom. Students should place their phones on vibrate and should not make or receive calls during class unless there are extenuation circumstances, such as for an on-call medical professional, in which case the instructor should be notified prior to class. Violations may result in disciplinary action.

• If you are a student with a disability, it is your responsibility to notify your professor at least one week prior to the needed service so that reasonable accommodations can be made.

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