Buckeye Brethren Institute

 

Buckeye Brethren Institute                                         
Academy Certified Training System

Buckeye Brethren Institute will become an Academy Certified Training System that provides a pathway for education that leads to the fulfillment of the ordination requirements within the Church of the Brethren as set forth in the 2014 Ministerial Leadership paper. BBI is designed to be a three year program that consists of 12 classes, as well as other training activities to accomplish those educational requirements to prepare individuals for a life of set-apart ministry. BBI was developed and intended for those students whose life circumstances prevent them from participating in seminary or other traditional ministry training sessions.

 

Program Expectations

  • Participation in 15 or more contact hours per course (3 meetings, 5 hours per meeting)
  • Attend each class unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances, as approved by director and instructor
  • Must attend all class sessions to receive CREDIT WITH DISTINCTION (in addition to work of exceptional quality)
  • 35-45 hours of course work outside of class meetings (reading and writing)
  • Approximately 400 pages of required reading
  • Completion of a research project(s) outside of class time & all class work within time parameter set for the course
  • Attendance at one (1) orientation day (early August) preferably before classes begin or you must attend the following summer in order to take additional classes. You will also complete the biblical/theological inventory at orientation
  • Attendance at three (3) Practice of Ministry Days (Springtime)
  • Attendance of at least one (1) Annual Conference, one (1) District Conference & a significant ecumenical, interfaith or intercultural event
  • Completion of a portfolio of ministry experiences and personal growth
  • Completion of a supervised ministry experience (internship)

 

Financial Plan

Costs for students enrolled in the program:

$50 - Application fee which must accompany the completed application form

$75 - Per course plus Textbooks and materials

$25 - Late registration per course (where applicable)

$50 - Practice Ministry Day fee (3 required/1 per year)

$50 - Graduation fee

$25 - Fee to audit a course for CEUs

Travel to and from classes. Students who travel over 150 miles roundtrip can check with Ministry Education Director about a discount.

Apply for Courses

Students:

Click Here for Application Form

Click Here to Pay Application Fee

Click Here for Current Class Brochure

Ordained Ministers and Lay Persons:

If you are auditing a course for CEUs or observing a course for personal enrichment, you do not need to fill out an application. You will need to pay a $25.00 course fee. See class listings below for online registration.

 

Questions?

For more information, please contact:
Tina Hunt, Ministry Education Director
tmh4957@gmail.com or 567-203-8872.

BBI Classes

 

Next Class:  Evangelism/Outreach

Instructor: Mike Huffaker

Meeting dates (all Fridays) and times: 
January 10, 2025, January 24, 2025 and February 7, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Classes will be held at the Northern Ohio District Office, 1107 East Main Street, Ashland, OH 44805.  Classes will also be available by Zoom.  The link will be sent after registration.

Ordained and Commissioned Ministers may audit this course for CEUs.  Anyone is welcome to join for personal enrichment.

Click here to register.

Click here for flyer/paper registration form.

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an overview of pastoral care from two perspectives: 1) the internal perspective of the personality traits, skills, talents, and habits of the individual as they relate to pastoral care, and 2) the external perspective of congregational routines and situations that raise expectations and assumptions of pastoral care.

 

 

 

 


 Sequence of Classes

Classes are on a rotating schedule with three sessions, A, B, and C. You can join the program at anytime by starting with the current session and cycling through the remaining sessions until requirements are met.

 

Session A

2023-2024:

Teaching and Learning in the Church (MS)
Instructor:  Tina Hunt
Meeting dates: September 15, September 29, October 6, 2023

History, Beliefs, and Practices of the Church of the Brethren (H/T)
Instructor: Terry Vaught
Meeting dates:  October 20, November 3 and November 17, 2023

Biblical Interpretation (B)
Instructor: Paul Bozman 
Meeting dates:  January 5, January 19, February 2, 2024

Introduction to Pastoral Care (MS)
Instructor: Tina Hunt
Meeting dates:  April 19, April 26, May 10, 2024



Session B

2024-2025:

Introduction to Worship (MS)
Instructor:  Terry Vaught
Meeting dates:  August 30, September 13, September 27, 2024

Old Testament Survey (B)
Instructor:  Tina Hunt
Meeting dates:  November 1, November 8, November 22, 2024

Evangelism/Outreach (MS)
Instructor:  Mike Huffaker
Meeting dates:  January 10, January 24, February 7, 2025

Introduction to Theology (H/T)
Instructor:  Tina Hunt
Meeting dates:  February 28, March 14, March 28, 2025

 

 

 

 

 Session C

2025-2026: 

New Testament Survey (B)
Instructor:  TBD
Meeting dates: 2025 TBD

Preaching (MS)
Instructor:  TBD
Meeting dates: 2025 TBD

History of the Church (H/T)
Instructor:  TBD
Meeting dates:  2026 TBD

Ministerial Leadership and Administration (MS)
Instructor:  TBD
Meeting dates:  2026 TBD