Discover Ministry School is structured into distinct "tiers", with each building on the foundation of the previous. Tiers One and Two consist of four 9-week quarters, providing a balanced, comprehensive learning experience. Tier Three is tailored for each individual and designed in collaboration with Discover leadership to meet their unique needs and goals.
Tier One: Discover Foundations
- Open to all applicants
- One class per week (typically evenings, approximately 2 hrs.)
- Teaching from selected pastors who have a track record of success
- Students gather from multiple churches at a centrally located host church site
- Multiple host sites in region where teaching is a live broadcast video (broadcast sites may change from course to course)
- A Campus Director at each site (who is also a pastor) that leads discussion, provides oversight, and administrative support
- Nine week class term includes reading, homework, testing, church attendance, and ministry involvement in their local church
- Weekly class format includes 45 minutes of teaching, 1 hour of discussion, 15 minutes of Q & A, with opportunities for group interaction
- Registration and class assignments managed through a central, web-based, learning management system called Moodle
- Completion of first 4 courses results in a “Certificate of Completion.”
Requirements for application to Tier Two are:
- Tier One Certificate (or equivalent)
- A recommendation by your lead pastor
- Assessment and approval by Discover leadership
The Discover Leadership track in Tier Two includes:
- Next level ministry training
- Further development of a biblical, missional ecclesiology through weekly courses, assignments and reading
- An “intensive” retreat where Tier Two students will gather for additional training
- A local “community” environment with other Tier Two students
- Encouragement and potential opportunities to learn and start something (e.g. trade, ministry, etc.) from “ground level.”
Tier Three: Pastoral Training (and path to Open Bible Credentials)
- Those who have successfully completed Tier Two and who feel called to pastoral ministry are encouraged to continue on the path of lifelong learning, and if so desired, apply for ministerial credentials with Open Bible Churches. Tier 3 is programmed to give practical, educational and experiential learning opportunities for those who believe that God has called them to ministry within Open Bible Churches. It is geared to provide one step toward the possibility of individuals being licensed as an Open Bible pastor. This is setup to be an independent study, differing from Tier 1 and 2 where it is done in groups.