Cedarville Magazine, Spring/Summer 2016

The Local Church WeBelieve in provide a context where students apply what they learn in chapel and the classroom and make a powerful impact for Christ as they meet real needs in our surrounding communities and the world. Students serve locally through weekly volunteer ministry teams or through short-term mission trips, taken over spring break or in the summer. In all of this, students learn to value the local church, long-term ministry endeavors, and a call to reach the nations with the Gospel. COMPELLINGWITNESS All students also take the Bible minor, and in Theology 2, the final course in the Bible minor sequence, there is a specific unit on the doctrine of the church. In this section of the class, professors stress the importance of the church as we talk about the nature of the body of Christ, its mission and ministries, and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Some Christians mistakenly believe that the church is completely optional in terms of their involvement and membership, but that would be a mistake. We teach that the church is crucial because we exhort one another day after day, so that we are not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:12–13). Godmade us for community, to submit to qualified church leadership, to serve one another, and to be on mission in the world. By our love for one another, the church witnesses to the truth that Jesus is the unique means of salvation for all. As such, we make clear to our students the beauty of the church and the importance of their service for the health of the church. I am overjoyed to be working on a campus and in a church where I see students valuing the local church. Each Sunday as I gather with God’s people, I look around and see a host of college students in our midst. When I pick up my children from their respective classes, I often see Cedarville students working in various ways in those classes. As I have assisted with the student ministry at my church, I see our Cedarville students involved in leading small groups and discipling middle and high school students. I see our students in the choir, orchestra, praise teams, and a number of other areas. And I often hear the testimonies of students who join our church through associate membership so they receive pastoral oversight while they are here on campus. Here at Cedarville University, we believe in the local church, and we expect to see our students graduate and continue to join and be involved with their local churches, where they will serve, spread the Gospel, and glorify God’s name in Christian community. JeremyKimble is Assistant Professor ofTheology at Cedarville University. He earned his Ph.D. in theological studies. God made us for community to submit to qualified church leadership, serve one another, and be on mission in the world. Master ofMinistryGoesOnline by Ched Spellman The Cedarville University seal contains these words: “For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ.” Taking our vision from these words, the School of Biblical and Theological Studies seeks to provide a biblical and theological foundation for our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world. A recent development in our School resonates with this overall vision. Our one-year Master of Ministry program, which before had only been offered on campus, will now be available completely online as well. This new online option for the Master of Ministry will be available fall semester 2016. The M.Min. program equips students to know and love God more deeply through a close reading of the Scriptures and thoughtful reflection on the theological truths found in God’s Word. Students in this program dig into the textual features of the biblical literature and examine the way that all Scripture fits together. This involves grappling with what the Bible says, what churches have believed, and how it all fits together. To watch Thomas White’s chapel message on this topic, visit cedarville.edu/localchurch . 32 | Cedarville Magazine