When Dr. Wayne Schmidt, vice president of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), met Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church, he did not know it was destiny.
The two chatted while at a luncheon and discovered they were both pastors. Dr. Schmidt pastored at Kentwood Community Church in Michigan and Bishop Benjamin has pastored for 43 years. It was an instant bond.
“We’ve both served at our churches for a long time and I asked him, ‘what’s next?’ He responded by saying he’s always wanted a seminary school to be rooted in a local church.”
That conversation united the two from then on. Schmidt and Benjamin pulled together a group of pastors throughout the city of Indianapolis, from various dominations, all with one goal, to make theological education practical, accessible and affordable.
After much discussion and prayer, Indiana Wesleyan University leaders, Wesleyan church officials and Light of the World Christian Church are joining forces to bring about the Tom Benjamin School of Ministry and Wesley Seminary in early November.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” said Benjamin. “IWU has seminary education with accreditation and with my history and expertise in the ministry – it’s a great marriage. It’s a mutual serving of one idea to bring Christian education to the non-traditional student.”
According to Benjamin that non-traditional student is a full-time parent, or employee. It includes anyone that still has everyday commitments, but desires to get an education and reach their goals.
“We are excited about this partnership between the academy and the local church. Here is a practical, innovative and flexible program that promotes a culturally sensitive and theologically sound approach to achieving the Master’s of Divinity Degree,” Bishop Benjamin said.
“Our desire is to present a 21st century model that gives adults options in their educational preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s housed at Light of the World, but it’s not just a Light of the World program. This is for everyone.”
The Indiana Wesleyan University Master of Divinity Ministry will be onsite once a week at Light of the World Christian Church. Classes will consist of students from Indiana Wesleyan Church and from about 30 different dominations throughout Indianapolis.
“There is such a richness in learning in a setting with people that have different viewpoints,” Benjamin said. “I want the seminary to serve all denominations across Indianapolis, men and women to be gathered. Think of the impact in this city if pastors of various churches come together to learn how to impact their ministry professionally.”
The Master of Divinity is an innovative, 75-hour program focusing on local church ministry. Students must be connected with a local church or chaplaincy at least 20 hours a week. Assignments involve local church action, research and feedback.
In the unique partnership between Tom Benjamin School of Ministry at Light of the World Church and Wesleyan Seminary at IWU, courses will be taken in the cohort model combining one-day-a-week classes. IWU professors will teach classes at Light of the World Church with periodic weeklong courses at the Wesley Seminary at IWU site in Marion, Ind., taught by Bishop Benjamin or senior pastor elect of Light of the World, Dr. David Hampton.
According to Schmidt the local church does a great job of effectively implementing practices of the ministry, while seminaries teach the Bible, church history theology and principals of ministry. Combining the two for students will be phenomenal.
“This way ministers can stay in their current ministry setting while attending seminary,” Schmidt said. “Many times the seminary education has become disconnected from the real world of ministry. I believe this particular program and partnership will help cement the seminary and the church, so each can offer what they do best to the students.”
Bishop Benjamin reads a sign that sits on the IWU Wesleyan Seminary campus that says, “We are unapologetically Christ centered.” He says that sign reflects everything about the Tom Benjamin School of Ministry and Wesley Seminary at IWU.
“This is much needed in the community… particularly the Black community.” Bishop Benjamin said. “We are excited about reaching the community beyond the local campus.”
For more information, contact wesley@indwes.edu.
