Three weeks ago I announced to LifePoint Church that we would begin offering Master’s level training through strategic partnership with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The video below provides an introduction to the Midwestern Training Network and how it will bless the local church.
Dr. Jason Keith Allen was elected President of Midwestern Seminary in October of 2012. Since his installment he has cast a single and compelling vision for the seminary to serve the local church. His vision will strengthen theological training and change the landscape of equipping for local church ministry in the Midwest and beyond. Midwestern is now known as “For The Church”.
Dr. Allen’s vision strength rests in the alignment between the seminary and the local church. The Midwestern Training Network aligns the seminary and the church for maximum Kingdom impact, where both will be blessed while Jesus’ mission in the world is served. I offer three reasons why I am so excited about this new network partnership.
1. The Midwestern Training Network is an answer to prayer.
When I planted LifePoint Church ten years I ago a strong part of my calling was to train men to serve and lead in the church and to plant churches. LifePoint has been laboring for this from the beginning. Our model has changed and strengthened as we have grown, but this partnership equips LifePoint to provide a whole new level of accredited education within the context of the church. LifePoint’s training is strengthened. LifePoint grows stronger. The men and women in our cohort grow smarter, stronger and wiser. Midwestern grows stronger. That makes this a ‘win – win – win – win’.
2. The Midwestern Training Network rightly aligns the seminary and local church to serve King Jesus’ mission together.
I am a product of seminary and thankful for my education. I cannot fully calculate how much it has served me in serving and leading in the local church. This network strengthens one’s education by placing it in proper context and strengthens serving and leading by providing stronger training. The Midwestern Training Network will equip partner churches to be more fruitful and to resource missional multiplication (a.k.a. the Great Commission).
3. The Midwestern Training Network provides the strong educational training component that the church needs to be faithful in excellence of ministry and correctly handling God’s Word.
The faculty and staff at Midwestern Seminary are world class. The quality of education is the best available, second to none. The blessing of this level and quality in training that is this accessible cannot be overstated. God uses anyone who surrenders to Him as He qualifies the called. He takes our meager effort and multiplies for His Kingdom purposes. Strong training equips people to grow and mature as they bless His Church. Ministers and churches should strive for the highest quality and level of education available. Here’s your opportunity. The training is now within reach.
I could not be more excited about the Midwestern Training Network and LifePoint’s partnership with Midwestern Seminary. Call the LifePoint office today at 417-581-6572 and let us know you’ll be enrolling to get trained “For the Church” this Fall.
The world is dying to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.