July 2003
Celebrating Two Years of the Master's Institute
By Paul AndersonOn May 17, 2003, we had a celebration marking the second year of classes at The Master's Institute (MI). In addition, Mary Bope, a student who had taken classes from another seminary before attending MI, received her diploma. It was a night of thanksgiving and praise for all that God has done. The following is a shortened version of what I shared that evening.
I was on my way down I35W to speak with the presiding pastor of a Lutheran denomination about The Master's Institute. A friend of mine had told me that many have tried to start graduate schools and have failed, and that MI may be one more casualty. I entertained that thought as I drove. It was not frightening; it was actually releasing. Without any fear I said, "This thing might fail-but we're going for it!"
We had this experiment. Our idea was that if we combined three essentials factors rather than just one and put them together, it would make for a dynamic equipping program. The good news is that it sure looks like its working. The classroom breathes with life and relevance. We have just completed our second year. We could fail, but I don't think we will. Every sign points to a God-initiated success. Here are some indicators:
- The vision is working. We have called it the three-legged stool, and the stool is standing strong. We have a wonderful mentoring team working with Muriel Jenson. We have an outstanding faculty that I would put alongside any seminary in the country. And internship sites continue to open up with qualified and caring supervisors. It's working.
- A new class is preparing to enter. It may be our biggest class yet.
- The bills are being paid. We are not getting rich, but that was not our purpose. We need enough to get the job done. We are adding a new position this summer-executive director, so that will stretch us.
- Satellites are in the planning stage. Our vision to plant seminaries around the country and around the world. We have a team working in Phoenix right now.
- The staff, faculty, board, and student body are united. Internal conflict shuts down the momentum. We have the Big Mo working for us right now. This is a huge gift!
- Ministries and Networks are committed to working with MI, which could guarantee an influx of students for years to come. Two of these are: LCMC, a Lutheran network of churches and Prepare Ministries, which works with college students.
- We are taking much time to assess where we are and where we are going. I meet monthly with the students for communication and feedback. We are having our second strategic planning day in June.
- We are launching new programs. Crescendo, our program for those over 55 years, is starting this fall, and we're hoping to launch a post-high program a year from this fall.
How can you help us?
- You can recommend students to us. Help us get the word out about a healthy alternative seminary that is raising up Christian leaders for this generation.
- You can join our intercession team. You don't go to meeting, but you go to prayer. We keep our intercessors aware of ongoing needs through e-mail.
- You can invest in our ministry if you believe in it. When you give to MI, you are impacting a life that will likely impact thousands of lives by the time he, or she, is finished. I can't imagine a way of getting more bang for your buck.
- You can encourage your church to support us. Tuition alone doesn't pay the bills, so having churches behind us helps immensely.
If you would like to give a financial gift to MI, please send it to:
The Master's Institute
2701 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55113-2200For more information about MI, you may contact them:
By phone: 651-765-9756
By e-mail: info@themastersinstitute
Or at their website: www.themastersinstitute.org
