The Center for Discipleship and Spiritual Formation was created in Spring 2014 to equip, support, and engage seminary students and church practitioners to fulfill the mandate to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20).  The three functions of The Center are the following:

The primary function of The Center is equipping ministry leaders to understand the nature and scope of discipleship and Christian Education ministry. This component includes communicating what NOBTS offers in targeted classes and degrees for equipping educational ministers. This function is accomplished by presentations at annual pastor’s conferences by NOBTS faculty and qualified CE students, offering in-church training opportunities for pastors, staff, and/or lay teachers and leaders, and hosting/conducting training events for professional educators and lay leaders. Research and publishing of discipleship and spiritual formation concerns and discoveries is also included in this function of The Center.

The second major function of The Center will be supporting the on-going efforts of contemporary education and discipleship church ministers while enlisting and equipping a new generation of educators.   This component includes hosting an annual conference for academicians, professional practitioners, and lay leaders in local church Christian Education.  Providing opportunities for education ministers and related staff positions to build peer connections, foster mentoring relationships, and network for career enhancement is a byproduct of hosting an annual conference. The Center supports strengthening denominational and Kingdom alliances with state and national convention leaders, professional organizations, and meaningful dialogue with leaders in the field of Christian Education from other denominations and para-church entities.

The third major area of The Center is engaging our current NOBTS students in discipleship and spiritual formation. The Christian Education division’s primary goal at NOBTS is equipping students in Christian Education leadership and ministry. The Center for Discipleship and Spiritual Formation reinforces this goal through a Student Organization that supports three major functions of Christian Education: 1) Recruiting and nurturing students called of God into Christian Education ministry; 2) Providing fellowship and ministry opportunities for Christian Education students and faculty and 3) Partnering with Christian Education faculty with to present local church conferences.