Aldersgate Divinity School

Vision

ALDERSGATE DIVINITY SCHOOL is envisioned to become a center of learning for church workers in the BAGUIO EPISCOPAL AREA, offering formal undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as continuing church leadership and ministerial formation programs.

Mission

First, ALDERSGATE DIVINITY SCHOOL is mandated to teach, train and empower pastors and other church workers of the United Methodist Church who are

• BIBLICALLY–GROUNDED in their faith foundation and commitment (2 Timothy 1:13 – 15; 2:15; 3:16 – 17; 4:1 – 7);
• CHRIST–CENTERED in their spirituality and character (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:7 – 9; 2 Timothy 3:13 – 14);
• MINISTRY–FOCUSED in their vocational calling and professional competence (Isaiah 61:1-3; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 3:4–6; Philippians 3:14; Hebrews 12:14–15) – this comes from a perspective of awareness of the spiritual battles of every Christian and the whole Church to the end that the wondrous grace of God is demonstrated (John 14:12; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-20);

Second, ALDERSGATE DIVINITY SCHOOL aims to develop a culture of academic excellence and professionalism anchored in the practice of social holiness and servant leadership in Christian ministries that affirms and at the same time challenges our Methodist experience and tradition.

Finally, in fulfilling its mandate, ALDERSGATE DIVINITY SCHOOL seeks the leading and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

Course Offerings

Formal Education

1. Academic Programs
   1. Ph. D. & D. Min. (Proposed)
   2. Master of Divinity
   3. AB in Church Management
2. Theological Extensions
   1. ADS & EATC – Baguio City
   2. NPhA, Gattaran, Cagayan
   3. ECC, San Mateo, Isabela
   4. Dudley Lara Centre, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
   5. John Wesley College, Tuguegarao City
   6. Asbury College, Anda, Pangasinan

Continuing Education

Training & Seminars for church workers & lay leaders are offered in the following areas:

1. Church Growth
2. Church organization, planning-programming, Management Information System (MIS) & Management
3. Evangelism & Church Growth
4. Caring Ministries
   1. Children
   2. Youth
   3. Family
   4. Elderly
   5. Sick & Disabled
   6. Social Outcasts
5. Spiritual Deepening
6. Comparative Study of Religions
7. Biblical Spirituality, Healing & Deliverance
8. Prayer, Meditation & Spiritual Disciplines
9. Development of Church Workers
10. Personality & Communication Skills Development
11. Leadership Effectiveness in the Church Setting
12. New Technologies & their Applications in Modern Church
13. Traditional & Contemporary Music & Liturgy

Program History

The Aldersgate Divinity School was organized in 2001. ADSgrew out of the Center for Rural Evangelism and Ecumenical Development which was established in 1989 to (i) support and sustain dynamic church planting in the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Regions by evangelical churches, (ii) equip church laity with leadership qualities necessary for effective evangelization and Christian education, (iii) evolve a corps of
locally-trained pastors who are spiritually inspired and sensitized to the unique situation and needs of the
rural brethren.
ADS is not only a projector for evangelism through its religious instruction and campus ministry programs, but it is also a Seminary where aspiring United Methodist ministers pursue, free of matriculation, the Bachelor of Arts in Church Management (ABCM) and Master of Divinity (MDIV) Programs. In 2007, the Master of Education, major in Christian Education (MAED) course was introduced in partnership with the Graduate School. These courses aim to train well-rounded pastors as theologians and ministers for the rural setting who at the same time can handle legitimate kindergarten classes and Christian Education programs, conduct choirs and play musical instruments while serving as stewardship role models in the community.
Complementary to the mentioned programs, ADS provides continuous assistance to various evangelical and religious groups in Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. It provides a 25% to 50% tuition discount to the ministers and church workers of other denominations (United Church of Christ, Pentecostal, Baptist, etc.), including their children, from the pre-school up to the tertiary levels. It provides undergraduate and graduate divinity courses, particularly in the fields of church management, mission, and theology. It is presently operating in two (2) campuses: one at Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, and the other at Baguio City. It also provides continuing education for church workers and lay leaders in the following areas:

• Church Growth
  • Church Organization, Planning-Programming, MIS & Mgt.
  • Evangelism & Church Planting – Recovering the Wesleyan Heritage in Church Growth
  • Caring Ministries (Children, Youth, Family, Elderly, Sick & Disabled, Social Outcasts)
• Spiritual Deepening
  • Comparative Study of Religions and Spiritualities
  • Recovery of Biblical Spirituality: The Spirituality of Jesus
  • Prayer, Meditation, and Spiritual Disciplines
• Development of Church Workers
  • Personality and Communication Skills Development
  • Leadership Effectiveness in the Church Setting
  • New Technologies and their Applications in a Modern Church
  • Classic and Contemporary Music and Liturgy
  • Church Lectionary and Sermon Quality Improvement