GTEN Ministry Training Program
The GTEN ministry training program is designed for disciples of Jesus in local churches, to help them understand and obey the teachings of the Bible. This is intended to help them fulfil the great commission by making disciples, forming discipleship communities and becoming leaders of local churches who effectively engage with issues arising in the Church and world.
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This page highlights the program structure, courses, and features.
Program Structure
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Three Year program
The training program is developed as a three-year BMin in Christian Ministry accredited by the GAAMT (Global Accrediting Association for Ministry and Training). For more flexibility, students can take this program for one year, as a Certificate in Christian Ministry (Cert.Min). Alternatively, students can take this program for two years, as a Diploma in Christian Ministry (Dip.Min). Only after completing all three years, can students get a Bachelor of Minsitry in Christian Ministry (BMin in Christian Ministry).
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24 courses using spiral learning
The program is designed using spiral learning over three years, with 8 courses a year, and a total of 24 courses. Apart from these courses, there is an additional "Ministry Based Learning" assessment program every year that encourages the integration of learning with personal spiritual growth and ministry application.
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Integrated learning
Each of the courses have three components: classroom teaching, structured mentoring, and ministry involvement. These three components are intended to build biblical thinking, deeper discipleship and greater ability to form, establish and lead discipleship communities.
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Below is a list of the courses offered over three years, grouped according to year, and series.
GTEN Course Descriptions
“Learning the Bible” series
The Bible is the foundation of the GTEN curriculum. Every course relies on biblical engagement and thinking. However, every year there are also two courses that take the students from a beginner stage to a stage where they are able to use the scripture accurately and meaningfully.
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In the first year, the first biblical course is The Big Story, where students learn what is the Bible, and what is its overarching storyline. We also teach this in a way that they can understand the gospel message throughout scripture.
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The second biblical course of the first year is Stories of the Bible. Here we help students how to draw lessons from stories in scripture. The goal is both familiarity with key stories, as well as the ability to understand how to read and apply biblical stories in our lives.
In the second year, the courses are aimed at learning how to read and understand scripture passages. We look at examples from Old and New Testament.
In the third year, the courses are aimed at learning how to read books of the Bible. We will take students through the book of Acts, as well as the pastoral letters in the New Testament.
“Church and Community” series
The Church and Community series helps the students to learn about the church and how it functions in society. In the first year, the students learn about how the church is a family, and how that must impact our families.
In the second year, we help the students learn how to stand up for their faith as a church in the midst of challenges and trials.
In the third year, we help the students learn how the church can contribute to local communities and society.
Preparatory courses
Apart from these subject courses, there are also preparatory courses.
In the first year, we help the students understand how to learn. We expose them to the requirements of the program, especially talking about the importance of mentoring and ministry. In this course, we also help them set goals for their spiritual life, and also begin to identify what their gifts and talents are.
In the second year, we encourage students to learn and practice the skills of teaching and preaching.
In the third year, we encourage students to learn and practice the skills of pastoral care, related to counselling, mentoring, and encouragement.
"Discipleship" series
The discipleship series takes students through the process of discipleship and disciple-making by helping them understanding the basic expectations from scripture.
In the first year, the first course defines discipleship as following Jesus, and explains what that means in the bible and for us today.
The second course of first year helps students understand the basic teachings and practices that all new followers of Jesus could benefit from knowing.
In the second year, the courses are aimed at maturing in discipleship. The first course of second year teaches what it means to be a godly family, especially related to husband wife relationships, child parent relationships, and also engaging with elders.
The second course of second year focuses on how followers of Jesus must work, consistent with God’s demands. And also, how they must have a biblical perspective about worldly wealth.
The third year courses, continue advanced discipleship, but also focus on training church pastors to lead churches. In the first course of third year, we help the students understand the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life, work, and worship of the church. In the other two courses of third year, we address issues related to leading churches and discipleship-communities.
“Great Commission” series
The Great Commission series focuses on helping churches build disciple-makers and discipleship-communities. The course goes step by step, from a new follower of Jesus, to a person who leads churches and church networks.
Ministry Based Learning
Finally, each year there is an integrated course called Ministry Based Learning (MBL). In Ministry Based Learning (MBL), the student makes personal spiritual and ministry goals for the year, and is assessed upon whether they met those goals at the end of the year. MBL is also a time for assessing what the student has learned, internalised (imbibed) and applied (in ministry), over the year.
What Our Users Say
Key Features of the GTEN curriculum
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Biblical Integrated Learning
Through the curriculum, we aim to help students learn in a way that integrates knowledge (head), life-transformation (heart), and skill development (hands).
Learning what is true: We aim to help students learn what is biblical and accessible to people. This is to help learning communities know and understand the practical teachings of God’s word.
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Learning to obey: We aim to help students to be transformed through what they are learning. This is to help learning communities to be obedient and faithful.
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Learning for empowerment: Our aim is that students will grow in effectiveness in ministry, so that they can form faithful discipleship communities.
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Church-based Training
The GTEN curriculum is church-based, community focused, and community-located (beyond local church borders).
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This curriculum also allows local churches to adapt how the program is implemented. ​We want the local church to take the opportunity to teach in the best way that suits their learners and their contexts.
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Education for all
One of the key features of the GTEN curriculum is that it is geared towards non-traditional learners. For the many students from emerging churches who are not proficient in reading and writing, this course is still relevant and useful. In addition, the program is available in the local languages.
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Lifelong learning for all
We aim to offer life-long learning so that credits earned do not expire. This means that students are given credit for what they have accomplished, and that will not be taken away from them. If a student desires to complete a program later in time, they can complete the unfinished portions without having to repeat subjects.
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Faithfulness assessment with realistic outcomes
​The popular concern in ministry training is to measure “outcomes” or “competencies.” We find that realistically, “outcomes” or “competencies” are unique to contexts and persons. Rather than create one set of outcomes that must be common to all, we operate with a large set of possible and realistic outcomes (competencies).
For assessment, we use “faithfulness assessment,” which assesses whether the students have made their best attempt to complete the required tasks. We have seen that in time, the outcomes and competencies for faithful students become evident.
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Flexible Training
The GTEN program is designed to be flexibly delivered in accordance with the needs of the local churches.
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This means that each local church can use the curriculum in the way that it suits them best. For some, the program can be delivered a one-course-per-month speed. While others, may want to go faster. Still others may want to adopt a hybrid model with in-class and online class structure. All is possible.
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So, for instance, a local church can offer the teaching through a hybrid model, via offline classes and online classes. Or, a church can offer the course as intensives, as long as the ministry and mentoring requirements are met.