Division of Education Releases Revised Education Handbook
The 2014–2016 edition of the Church of God Division of Education Handbook and Directory has just been released. This practical handbook for educators and ministerial training leaders around the world provides an excellent demonstration of the “ONE” theme adopted at the 2014 International General Assembly under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Mark Williams—“One Faith, One Lord, One Mission.”
“There is a worldwide scope of the education and training emphasis of the Church of God,” stated Second Assistant General Overseer J. David Stephens. “The Education Handbook illustrates how the ONE theme flows like a river out from the Assembly of gathered delegates, gathers spiritual momentum with its international movement, and provides life-giving nourishment to disciples of the Word worldwide.”
The handbook has been published biennially since 1976. It contains several features, including the official listing of the Distinguished Educators Awards, the printing of the latest revision of the church’s Master Plan of Education, and the register of Church of God educational institutions.
Education and ministerial training serve the church as a unifying force as demonstrated through observation of the following statistical information contained in the 247-page volume:
• Over 2,000 Church of God teachers, administrators, supervisors, mentors, universities, seminaries, colleges, Bible schools, institutes, and ministerial training institutes and offices are presented, with each one subscribing to “One Faith, One Lord, One Mission.”
• The book explains how Church of God education and training effectively serves its constituency from the highest level of academic standards to the institute level of training;
• Along with Lee University, the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and the Church’s other degree-granting institutions, Bible Institutes, and Christian Service Schools are recognized for their excellent academic and ministerial training programs;
• In the United States, state/regional offices and Hispanic Bible Institutes are recognized through their participation in Calling And Ministry Studies (CAMS), the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP), Certificate In Ministerial Studies (CIMS), and the Mobilize: Local Leadership Development program;
Approximately 1,000 printed copies of the handbook will be distributed to educators, administrators, and church leaders on every continent. Digital copies are available at no cost at the Church of God Division of Education website (cogdoe.org).
Stephens, who also serves as Division of Education executive director, extended his highest appreciation to the all who contributed to the production of the handbook and especially to the Editorial Committee—Dwain Pyeatt, Bill George, and Nellie Keasling.
