Ministry

Insights and strategies to accomplish the work of the kingdom from experienced ministry practitioners.

Connecting Members to Content in the COVID-19 Pandemic

During chaotic times such as the lockdowns, members will most likely have difficulties engaging with Bible reading and preaching. Dr. Ferguson provides a list of resources that can help churches connect their members to content despite distance and separation.

Kristen Ferguson
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Kristen Ferguson serves as the vice president of enrollment and student services and associate professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Her doctoral research at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary investigated evangelical faculty perceptions on online theological education. Her continued research focuses on online course design, blended learning, and online teaching best practices.

Caring for the Deaf Community during the Lockdown

Dr. Kelly's church serves about 75 to 80 members, which includes a sizable deaf community. He shares the action steps his church took in caring for and communicating with their deaf community during the coronavirus lockdown.

Paul G. Kelly
Chair, Educational Leadership | Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Paul Kelly began his service at Gateway Seminary in Fall 2009 as the chair and professor of Educational Leadership. Prior to Gateway, Kelly served as vice president of ministry resources at Student Life Publishing, editor-in-chief of discipleship resources in Student Ministry Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources, as well as a youth specialist in Discipleship at LifeWay.

Online Education and Church during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The effective principles of online education can benefit the church moving to online services. Dr. Kristen Ferguson extrapolates a solution called "The Community of Inquiry" to the church's current challenges.

Kristen Ferguson
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Kristen Ferguson serves as the vice president of enrollment and student services and associate professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Her doctoral research at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary investigated evangelical faculty perceptions on online theological education. Her continued research focuses on online course design, blended learning, and online teaching best practices.

Teaching Young Parents

Teaching young parents is an exciting but challenging endeavor. Dr. Lum instructs bible teachers on how to approach teaching young parents.

Dr. Joni Lum serves as an adjunct professor of children's ministry at Gateway Seminary. She also currently serves as the Children's minister at Magnolia Church in Riverside, CA.

Pastoral Care in the Time of Coronavirus

Pastors and other ministry leaders expanded their strategies to care for members during the pandemic lockdown. Dr. Bradley commends these leaders for their flexibility, innovation, and commitment to pastoral care.

Mark Bradley
Director, Pacific Northwest Campus | Associate Professor of Leadership Formation
While serving as an associate professor of Leadership Formation, Dr. Mark Bradley is a Northwest native and first-generation Southern Baptist. He began his MDiv studies at the Pacific Northwest Campus the day after he was elected pastor of Beavercreek Baptist Church in Oregon, in 1981. He returned to Gateway as director of the PNWC in January 2010

Maximizing Prayer Time

Sometimes prayer during bible studies can consume almost all of the lesson time. Dr. Ferguson provides ways to create meaningful prayer while preserving ample time for the study of scripture.

Kristen Ferguson
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Kristen Ferguson serves as the vice president of enrollment and student services and associate professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Her doctoral research at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary investigated evangelical faculty perceptions on online theological education. Her continued research focuses on online course design, blended learning, and online teaching best practices.

When Your Group Members are Hurting

Bible teachers will inevitably run into group members dealing with immense grief. Dr. Kelly gives suggestions on how to approach hurting members.

Paul G. Kelly
Chair, Educational Leadership | Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Paul Kelly began his service at Gateway Seminary in Fall 2009 as the chair and professor of Educational Leadership. Prior to Gateway, Kelly served as vice president of ministry resources at Student Life Publishing, editor-in-chief of discipleship resources in Student Ministry Publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources, as well as a youth specialist in Discipleship at LifeWay.

How to Get the Most out of Biblical Characters

Many bible teachers use lessons about our favorite biblical characters in unhelpful ways. Dr. Ferguson lists five principles that teachers can apply to get the most out of studying people in scripture.

Kristen Ferguson
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Kristen Ferguson serves as the vice president of enrollment and student services and associate professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Her doctoral research at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary investigated evangelical faculty perceptions on online theological education. Her continued research focuses on online course design, blended learning, and online teaching best practices.

Teaching Within the Context of the Unknown

Acquisition of new information causes a state of 'cognitive disequilibrium' - a mental discomfort felt when adjusting to new knowledge unaccustomed to how we think. Dr. Dwayne Ulmer applies this concept to bible teaching that promotes growth for Christian learners.

Dwayne Ulmer
Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Dwayne Ulmer is professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Prior to his faculty appointment at Gateway, his academic career involved a part-time Christian Education and Leadership professorship at SBTS and becoming the assistant professor of leadership at Dallas Baptist University shortly after.

Other Activities For Adult Learners

Varied structures for teaching can reap benefits for adult learners. Dr. Ferguson suggests going beyond the traditional sermon structure and incorporating creative teaching methods.

Kristen Ferguson
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Kristen Ferguson serves as the vice president of enrollment and student services and associate professor of educational leadership at Gateway Seminary. Her doctoral research at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary investigated evangelical faculty perceptions on online theological education. Her continued research focuses on online course design, blended learning, and online teaching best practices.