STONE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY OVERVIEW LEARN Stone School of Ministry is partnered with Northwest University s Church Partnership Program. Students take fully accredited college courses on the Stone Church campus from Northwest University Professors. EARN Students may earn a two-year Associate of Arts degree in either General Studies or Ministry Leadership. Students can also earn a four-year B.A. degree in Ministry Leadership. GROW Stone School of Ministry is dedicated to seeing its students grow spiritually. Students will participate in weekly Spiritual Growth and Accountability times, a Bible reading and journaling plan and will work with Stone Church pastors who will help coach them in their spiritual growth. WHERE Stone School of Ministry meets on the Stone Church campus, located at 3303 Englewood Ave. in Yakima. WHEN - Registration opens May 1, 2015 - Classes begin on August 31, 2015 (see class schedule attached)
STONE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY PROGRAM OUTLINE STONE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY exists to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders. We do this by having each student participate in classes, a personal growth track, and an internship program. Through these three steps, it is our goal to train students with an all-inclusive approach that helps them graduate as a more holistic person. STAFF Director: Mitch Ellithorpe Administrator: Manny Garza STUDENT S WEEKLY SCHEDULE Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 7:30a 12:30p Ministry Appl. at Services 1:00p Personal Growth Personal Growth Personal Growth 2:00p Ministry Track Ministry Track Ministry Recap 3:00p Classwork Classwork Ministry Track Classwork 4:00p Classwork Dinner Break Dinner Break 5:00p Classwork Ministry Class 6:00p Application Class 7:00p Student Class 8:00p Ministries Class 9:00p
Our weekly schedule is designed to allow students ample time to maintain a job and schooling. If at any point throughout the program a job or separate commitment interferes with a student s participation in their tracks, serving, or classes; the student will be asked to rework their work schedule to accommodate the program. If the student refuses or is unable, they will become subject to suspension or be released from the program. MINISTRY TRACKS Every student enrolled in Stone School of Ministry will take part in two tracks during their time in the program. The first track is the Personal Growth Track. The second track is the Ministry Leadership Track. > PERSONAL GROWTH TRACK To help students become a more holistic person in Christ every student will participate in a Personal Growth Track. This track takes place three times a week and is led by Mitch Ellithorpe. In this track, students experience: - Group prayer and devotions - Personal growth meetings and weekly spiritual growth segments - Hear from and interface with Stone Church pastoral staff as well as leaders from the Northwest Ministry Network > MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TRACK Our Ministry Leadership Track is designed for the student who has a passion for personal and group ministry. This track is not only designed for those who enjoy speaking, but is also created for those who thrive on oneon-one relationships. Students in this internship will find themselves serving in all age groups and in all areas of the church. From prepping sermons to conducting and running small groups and everything in between students in this internship will be driven to their full pastoral potential. CLASSES One of the most important pieces of SSM is, without a doubt, the partnership with Northwest University. Through this partnership we are able to offer Northwest University classes directly on our church campus. Throughout their time in the program, students can take the necessary courses to earn an Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts degree through Northwest University. All classes will be taught on our campus by Northwest University professors or adjunct professors approved by NU with Masters Degrees in the specific field of study. This allows our students to have professors who are dedicated to seeing them succeed and won t treat them as just another number in a classroom. When class sizes are not large enough to meet the requirements for onsite class studies (fewer than 7), students will participate in Northwest s online campus classes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the CPP? The Northwest University Church Partnership Program (CPP) is a unique program that allows local churches (ie., Stone Church) and ministries to offer two fully accredited Northwest University Associate of Arts degrees and B.A. degrees as part of their internship program in classes offered at their own church or ministry facilities. What degrees are offered? CPP students may earn an Associate of Arts in either General Studies or Ministry Leadership at their CPP site. Students can also earn a four-year B.A. in Ministry Leadership. How does the CPP work? The CPP runs on a 15-week semester system (two semesters each year, with each semester divided into two sevenweek sessions). A full-time student will take two three-unit classes per session for 12 units per semester. Where do classes meet? Classes are delivered in two formats: online classes and live on-site classes. All classes are accessible online so that any student may complete their degree taking only online classes. If a site has seven or more students taking a class, they are able to facilitate the class live, on-site, at the time of week that works for them. Who teaches the live classes? Qualified teachers from the site can teach the NU curriculum (those who have an accredited master s degree in the field they desire to teach). If the site does not have a qualified teacher, NU can assist in finding one. What does it cost? Full Time / $9,272 annually. This includes: - A.A. or B.A. in General Studies or Ministry Leadership - 3 Northwest University credits per year - Ministry Internship training - 3 FREE Internship credits per semester - Covers camps, conference and retreat costs Does not include: - Room and board
CHURCH PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM MINISTRY PRACTICUM INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES Each semester students have the opportunity to earn up to three credits of Ministry Practicum through the Stone School of Ministry Internship Program. The following characteristics and principles are involved in the Internship: 1. College-level Although a rather nebulous term, it entails: a. A broad application to topics rather than a narrow focus on skills applicable only to one ministry setting. b. The theory and principles of why things are done and are effective rather than merely the details of what to do. c. Contemplation balanced with action, where students reflect on ministry activities with leaders and peers. 2. Begins broad ends focused The internship experiences begin by covering all of the church s programs and become progressively more focused and specialized throughout the training program. This means: a. Students initially participate in all church ministries, including those to which they may feel no or little leading or interest. These initial experiences emphasize observation more than responsibility as they rotate through the available ministry venues. Observations and participation over several occasions are required to fully understand workers responsibilities and the ministries role in the total church program. b. Students who are already involved in particular ministries may need time off to be exposed to other ministries. c. It is critically important for church interns to understand the pertinent leadership, operational, and strategic aspects of each ministry. This involves interaction at all levels of the ministry from planning to action. d. Advanced students focus their time and energies into one or two ministries where they develop the skills and competencies to become leaders.
3. Accountability Ministry leaders provide activity outlines or syllabi describing student learning and participation expectations. Ministry leaders evaluate students on their skills and not merely on their attendance. Records are maintained through systems such as weekly journaling, online posting, and/or regular interactions with leadership. 4. Students Personal Development Along with skill development, the internship will focus on students personal, spiritual, relational, and character development. These very personal aspects of ministerial formation require students to be in an open and transparent two-way relationship with ministry supervisors or mentors who can observe students engaging in life and ministry over the length of the training program. Leaders help clarify students spiritual, personal, and professional giftings while identifying the strengths and weaknesses that will augment or impede their ministry effectiveness.
STONE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY CONTACT US SITE LOCATION: Stone Church 3303 Englewood Ave. Yakima WA 98902 (509) 575-3720 MAILING ADDRESS: Stone School of Ministry Stone Church 3303 Englewood Ave. Yakima, WA 98902 PRIMARY CONTACT: Mitch Ellithorpe, Director mitche@stonechurch.us (509) 575-3720 Ext. 115 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT: Erik Johnson erikj@stonechurch.us (509) 575-3720 Ext. 105 WEBSITE: www.stonechurch.us ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY: Northwest University 5520 108 Th Ave. NE, Kirkland WA 98033 (425) 822-8266 info@northwestu.edu www.northwestu.edu FINANCIAL AID: www.northwestu.edu/financialaid