School of Minis t r y 2019 Prospectus

School of Minis t r y Lakewood Gospel Training Center

Gospel Training Center God has called us as a church to make disciples of Jesus Christ locally, nationally, and globally. The Gospel Training Center (GTC) equips the church for this calling through missionally-focused courses in biblical and theological studies that foster love for God and neighbor. Under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dr. Tom Smiley, Lakewood Baptist Church established GTC to equip church leaders for years of faithful ministry. In order to equip the church to make disciples, GTC has two tracks: the School of Discipleship and the School of Ministry. The School of Discipleship focuses on providing members of Lakewood with opportunities to grow in their love and understanding of the Lord through the study of his Word and to be equipped to make disciples wherever God has called them. The School of Ministry serves those the Lord has called into vocational ministry through a holistic approach to theological education that is rooted in the local church.

School of Ministry The School of Ministry is the arm of the GTC that trains those called to vocational ministry. As local churches are the God-given means to make disciples, we believe that training for ministry should be rooted in a local church. To that end, we offer two avenues for theological education in and through Lakewood Baptist Church: (1) Seminary Cohort and (2) Christian Ministry Residency. The Seminary Cohort provides the opportunity for people to pursue fully-accredited master’s level theological education through the local church in Northeast Georgia. In partnership with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lakewood offers seminary courses for those desiring to pursue theological education while continuing to serve in their local church. The Christian Ministry Residency is a capstone program for seminary graduates or those nearing the end of seminary to help them bridge the gap from preparing for ministry to serving in ministry. The residency combines real-world ministry experience with theological and biblical reflection in order to equip residents further for ministry. Residents will choose one of four areas of concentration: pastoral ministry, church planting, worship ministry, or cross-cultural missions.

Director of Theological Training John D. Morrison (PhD, Southern Seminary) is the Director of Theological Training at Lakewood Baptist Church where he also serves as a member of the pastoral staff. For more information on GTC and the School of Ministry, contact him at jmorrison@lakewoodlife.org.

Seminar y Cohor t The Seminary Cohort is a partnership between Lakewood Baptist Church and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary that aims to train “pastors and teachers to equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). Our goal is to enable people to continue to serve where the Lord has called them while further equipping them to thrive in that service.

The Nature of Theological Training

We believe that theological education must be about far more than the transference of knowledge: it must inculcate wisdom, grow us in our love for the Lord and neighbor, and drive us to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, the School of Ministry has a fourfold emphasis that shapes the cohort: (1) rigorous academics, (2) intentional community, (3) spiritual formation, and (4) missional engagement.

1. RIGOROUS ACADEMICS The degree earned through the cohort is awarded by SEBTS, and the program is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as well as by the Association of Theological Schools.  Courses are taught by professors from SEBTS who are leading experts in their fields as well as by local pastor-theologians who combine pastoral experience with high-level academic training.

2. INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY The years of study will happen with the same group of students. Space is given throughout the training for students to connect with one another and their professors. Through worshipping together and times set aside for small group prayer, the cohort aims to grow its members closer to each other as we grow closer to Christ.

3. SPIRITUAL FORMATION We agree with Augustine that the double love of God and neighbor must be the goal of our study of Scripture. As such, the cohort emphasizes the doxological nature of theological study throughout its courses. We prioritize prayer and worship on the days we gather. Additionally, a guided mentorship required for the program aims to enhance the student’s growth in faith over the course of this program.

4. MISSIONAL ENGAGEMENT Our training focuses on taking the gospel to a world in need and encourages real world application of the biblical truths learned. The weekly service of the cohort members in their local congregation is one manifestation of this engagement. Additionally, the cohort provides opportunities for participation in international mission trips and local mission projects.

Distinguishing Features

ROOTED IN THE LOCAL CHURCH The cohort roots theological education in the local church. Both professors and students are actively serving in local churches, and this involvement keeps loving and serving the body of Christ at the

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“So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine

scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his

understanding build up this double love of God and

neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding

them.” - Augustine of Hippo

forefront of our training. Alongside this practical focus, the cohort model enables the church’s leaders and servants to remain active in the church while they pursue theological education.

COHORT MODEL The cohort model enables the students to go through the program as a group. Students take all their in-person classes with the same students and will progress through their coursework together. This model strengthens the community established between the students, which allows for greater spiritual growth and more meaningful classroom dialogue. Additionally, this model provides accountability that enables students to complete their degree in a reasonable amount of time while balancing the demands of life and ministry. Furthermore, we pray that this model will foster long-lasting relationships that go well beyond these years of study and provide meaningful support and encouragement for a lifetime of ministry.

FLEXIBLE FORMAT Through the cohort at Lakewood, students will have the opportunity to pursue either an MDiv or MA through Southeastern Seminary. Following the course schedule outlined below, the MA can be completed in three years and the MDiv in four. The credit hours earned through the Lakewood cohort are fully-accredited SEBTS hours, so if the Lord were to call a student away from North Georgia during his or her studies, the student would be able to continue the program online from anywhere in the world.

OPPORTUNITIES IN SPANISH In an effort to faithfully serve the diverse population of our community, much of the Cohort’s training is available in Spanish as well as in English. Many of the online courses are offered through SEBTS in Spanish. Additionally, there are opportunities for the mentoring component to be fulfilled in Spanish.

Courses Offered Courses come in four formats: Online, Equip, Church Institute, and Intensives. Online are fully online classes for which the Cohort provides support and discussion (25 hours). Equip classes are in-person courses taught in Gainesville under the guidance of a professor from SEBTS (18 hours). Church Institute courses are in-person classes taught by area pastors with a PhD in that subject area (24 hours). Intensives are in-person courses taught by visiting SEBTS professors over the course of several days (18 hours). All told, 60 hours toward a MDiv can be earned through in-person courses in Gainesville. For the MA in Christian Studies, 33 of the 39 hours will be offered in Gainesville. Weekly, semester-long courses will be offered on Tuesday afternoons at Lakewood, and there will be opportunity for several-day intensive classes taught by professors from SEBTS during the semester. As some online courses will be needed to complete the MDiv, support for those classes will be provided if taken during the suggested semester. Additionally, a student could purse the Master of Arts in Christian Studies and complete that degree in three years. This degree provides a graduate level introduction to the theological discipline. We strongly encourage anyone going into pastoral ministry to pursue the MDiv.

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60 hours toward master’s degree

offered in Gainesville

Course Schedule Summer 2019

Semester 1 - Fall 2019

Semester 2 - Spring 2020

Semester 3 - Summer 2020

Semester 4 - Fall 2020

MDiv MACS

SEM5000-Introduction to Seminary Education (online) SEM5000-Introduction to Seminary Education (online)

MDiv MACS

OTS5110-OT 1: Pentateuch and Former Prophets

(intensive)

OTS5110-OT 1: Pentateuch and Former Prophets

(intensive)

HIS5110-Church History 1 (church institute)

GRK5110-Greek 1 (online)

MDiv MACS

OTS5120-OT 2: Latter Prophets and Writings

(intensive)

OTS5120-OT 2: Latter Prophets and Writings

(intensive)

HIS5120-Church History 2 (church institute) PHI5100-Christian Philosophy (online)

GRK5120-Greek 2 (online)

MDiv MACS

EVA6611-Personal Discipleship Practicum (Equip) EVA6611-Personal Discipleship Practicum (Equip)

ETH5100-Intro to Ethics (online) ETH5100-Intro to Ethics (online)

MDiv MACS

PRS6501-BE1 Practicum (Equip) PRS6501-BE1 Practicum (Equip)

NTS5110-Jesus and the Gospels (intensive) NTS5110-Jesus and the Gospels (intensive)

THE7810-Doctrine of the Church (church institute)

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Semester 5 - Spring 2021

Semester 6 - Summer 2021

Semester 7 - Fall 2021

Semester 8 - Spring 2022

Semester 9 - Summer 2022

MDiv MACS

PRS6501-BE2 Practicum (Equip) PRS6501-BE2 Practicum (Equip)

NTS5120-NT2: Acts, Epistles, Revelation (intensive) NTS5120-NT2: Acts, Epistles, Revelation (intensive)

THE7510-Doctrine of Worship (church institute)

MDiv MACS

MIS5101-Missions Practicum (Equip) MIS5000-Introduction to Great Commission (online)

HTH7710-Reformation (church institute)

MDiv MACS

THE6110-Theology 1 (intensive) THE6110-Theology 1 (intensive)

HIS5130-Baptist History (church institute) HIS5130-Baptist History (church institute)

EVA5101-Evangelism Practicum (Equip)

MDiv MACS

THE6120-Theology 2 (intensive) THE6120-Theology 2 (intensive)

PMN6501-Pastoral Ministry Practicum (Equip) GEN7500-MA Research Project (online)

HTH7720-Puritanism (church institute)

MDiv

PMN7900/MIS6990/MIS6991/MIS69010-One

Practicum/Mentored Internship (Equip)

ETH5100-Intro to Ethics (online)

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Semester 10 - Fall 2022

Semester 11 - Spring 2023

Next Steps for Seminary Cohort

2019 Key Dates • May 1 - Learning Covenant Due to Lakewood

• June 1 - Submit Application to SEBTS

• August 20 - Classes Begin

More Information For more information, contact Dr. John Morrison at jmorrison@lakewoodlife.org

MDiv

BCO5500-Biblical Counseling (online)

HEB5110-Hebrew 1 (online)

MDiv

PHI5100-Christian Philosophy (online)

HEB5120-Hebrew 2 (online)

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Complete cohort Student Information Form (see end of prospectus) Interview with GTC Faculty Submit signed Learning Covenant (see end of prospectus) - May 1 Submit SEBTS Application - June 1

Chris t ian Minis t r y Res idency

GTC’s Christian Ministry Residency seeks to prepare those the Lord has called into vocational ministry through an intensive training program in the local church. The residency takes a holistic approach to preparing people for ministry through rigorous academics, spiritual formation, and practical experience. In other words, the training aims to develop the head, heart, and hands of the residents. The Christian Ministry Residency is for anyone called into vocational ministry who desires more preparation in the local church as a capstone to seminary education. All residents will follow the same core curriculum and then will have the opportunity to concentrate in one of the four following ministry areas: pastoral ministry, church planting, worship ministry, or cross-cultural missions. The residency is designed for those the Lord has called into vocational ministry. Residents will have completed or be nearing completion of the Master of Divinity. Preference will be given to graduates from one the six Southern Baptist seminaries. Other master’s degrees will be considered, but leveling classes may be required.

Expectations The residency is a twelve-month training program with an available stipend. After the first year of residency, the church-planting and cross-cultural missions concentrations require an additional six to twelve months of training in the program to help the resident transition to the field. Residents and their spouses will join Lakewood Baptist Church and be active in the life of the congregation. Being active in the life of the church includes, but is not limited to, participating and serving during Sunday morning and Wednesday evening gatherings, involvement in a small group, and being part of a gender-specific accountability group. In addition to regular involvement in the life of the church and discipleship opportunities, any wives of spouses in the program will have the opportunity to be a part of a monthly study that addresses the challenges of being married to someone in vocational ministry. Residents will gather on Mondays and Wednesdays for times of spiritual formation and ministerial training. Residents should also plan time during the week to complete their coursework and to prepare to serve in various ministries of the church. Additionally, residents will meet with the leader of their area of concentration.

Leadership John Morrison (PhD, Southern Seminary) serves as the Director of Theological Training and gives overall direction to the residency. He also leads the core classes. Tyler Smiley (ABD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the Associate Missions Pastor and oversees the pastoral ministry and church planting concentrations. Zak McQueen (MA, Union University) serves as Lakewood’s Worship Pastor and leads the worship ministry concentration. Benji Lavender (MA and MTS, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) served overseas for several years and is now the Pastor of Global Initiatives at Lakewood. He leads the cross-cultural missions concentration.

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Schedule Typical Weekly Schedule

Overall Schedule

PREREQUISITES • Roland H. Bainton. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

• Athanasius. On the Incarnation.

• Helmut Thielecke. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians.

AUGUST • Personal Development Plan - Assessment

• Connections: small group, accountability, etc.

FIRST TRIMESTER September 1 - December 20

Core Classes

• Ephesians Exegesis (9 weeks)

• Ecclesiology (6 weeks)

• Historical Theology Module: Trinity

SECOND TRIMESTER January 6  - April 17

Core Classes

• Psalms Exegesis (6 weeks)

• Missiology (6 weeks)

• John Exegesis (3 weeks)

• Historical Theology Modules: Anthropology

THIRD TRIMESTER April 20 - June 30

Core Classes

• John Exegesis - continued (12 weeks)

• Historical Theology Module: Soteriology

Sunday Monday Wednesday Other

AM: Church Gathering

PM: Special events as planned

- Staff Development

- Sunday Review

- Check-in with mentor

- Core Classes

- Lunch & Learn (monthly)

- Wednesday evening activities

- Classes in concentration

- Teaching & Leading Practicum

- Accountability Meeting

- Small Group

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Additional Training After the first twelve months of the residency, the church planting and cross-cultural missions residencies allow an additional six to twelve months to transition from preparing to serving in the field. Church Planting. The additional months of residency for church planters will help the planter move from preparing to going. The focus during this time will be on logistics, fundraising, developing of core team, and platforming before Lakewood. Cross-Cultural Missions. The additional months of residency for cross-cultural missionaries will help the missionary move from preparing to going. The focus during this time will be on logistics, fundraising, and platforming before Lakewood.

Next Steps for Christian Ministry Residency

2019 Key Dates • June 1 - Student Information Form Due

• June 30 - Residency Application Due

• August 15 - Residency Begins

More Information For more information, contact Dr. John Morrison at jmorrison@lakewoodlife.org

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Complete residency Student Information Form (see end of prospectus) - June 1 Interview with GTC Faculty Complete Application - June 30

Seminary Cohort Student Information Form

Name: _______________________________

Email: _____________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________

Church: ________________________________________ City, State: ______________________

How are you currently serving in your church? _________________________________________

Briefly relate your personal testimony of faith in Christ.

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Describe your call to ministry.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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Why do you believe you should pursue theological education through the cohort at Lakewood? If married, is your house supportive of this decision? ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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Seminary Cohort Learning Covenant

STUDENT AFFIRMATION

I, ____________________________, commit to pursuing the MDiv / MACS (circle one) through the Lakewood Seminary Cohort.

CHURCH AFFIRMATION As a church, we affirm the above student is a member in good standing of our church and that the student is called to ministry. We support the student’s decision to pursue theological education in preparation for that call.

Name of Church: _______________________________________________________________

Name of Church Representative: ___________________________________________________

Position of Church Representative: __________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________ Email: ___________________________________

Note: this form does not guarantee acceptance into either Lakewood’s Seminary Cohort or Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This form expresses the student’s and his or her church’s commitment to the pursuit of theological education through the cohort at Lakewood.

Student Signature Date

Church Representative Signature Date

Christian Ministry Residency

Student Information Form Name: _______________________________

Email: _____________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________

Church: ________________________________________ City, State: ______________________

Seminary: _________________________________ Degree Earned: __________ Date: ________

Briefly relate your personal testimony of faith in Christ.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Describe your call to ministry.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

How are you currently serving in your church? _________________________________________

Why do you believe you should pursue further training through the residency at Lakewood? If married, is your house supportive of this decision? ______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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