Heritage University

Heritage University seeks to provide university styled, discipleship courses, for the purpose of growing students in a higher love for Jesus Christ.

HU seeks to return to the simplicity of discipleship. A disciple is one who follows after one’s Master. Therefore, we seek first to understand how God has engaged us throughout history. Then, we can rightly model our engagement of Him and others after His example. How then does Christ engage us? Though certainly not a complete list, we see Jesus’ actions toward man as falling in one, or more, of the following eight areas. A disciple therefore, will be trained in each of the eight areas.

As God. Specifically focusing on the fact that He is holy, other than, set apart. He is completely and unimaginably different than everything in the created order. Therefore, we are to be holy as He is holy. Courses offered in this area will teach the student how to live a life of personal holiness, through which greater intimacy is gained.

As our Servant. He washed our feet and cleansed our sin. He had one earthly life before His resurrection and He spent it accurately. Therefore, we too, from our wallets to our marrow, are to be a people who are constantly striving to serve the Kingdom of God. Courses in this area will teach the student how to faithfully steward different aspects of their life.

As our Master Builder. Specifically focusing on His utter intentionality in every move of His heart, from the largest scope of universal history, to the smallest detail of an oak leaf. Therefore, we are to live divinely intentional lives for the sake of the gospel. Courses offered in this area will teach the student how to live an accurate life that is guided by the Wisdom of God instead of the limited views of man.

As our Teacher. Christ only sought to live those principles that he saw His Father uphold. He spoke not one word that He did not hear the Father saying. He epitomized the prophetic, in that He proclaimed the ever present Word of the Father into the real lives of men and women. Therefore, we are to be a people who speak the very word of God. Courses offered in this area will teach the student how to study the bible, church history, and how to proclaim His word in deed and speech.

As our Leader. The leadership over Him is the Father’s and through the Holy Spirit He leads us into all truth. Thus, His leadership over our lives is impeccable, it is perfect. Therefore, we are to be a people who lead others as Christ has led us. Courses in this area will teach students how to be biblical leaders in the different arenas of life.

As our Brother in Humanity. From infinite glory and majesty the Word willingly and intentionally became flesh and lived among us. He could have chosen any way to create us, and any way to redeem us. In both, He chose flesh. Therefore, we are to be a people who not only conquer the flesh, but use and embrace it for glory as He has done. Courses in this area will teach the student how to model the incarnation of Christ, through living their fleshly lives as Christ lived His.

As our Lover. He has not simply saved us, He has betrothed us. His devotion and utter delight in sincere, but immature followers, is totally unfathomable. Therefore, we are to be a people who are as devoted to Him as He is to us. Courses in this area will teach the student how to live a life rooted in nothing other than the devoted heart of God.

As our Warrior. Christ has overwhelmingly conquered sin, death, and the devil. He not once prayed for safety, but rather prayed for the divine will of God’s victory to be firmly established in all things. Therefore, we too, are to be a people who strive to fight the good fight, living lives not with a spirit of fear, but rather one of power, love, and discipline. Courses in this area will teach the student how to engage life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS

Collegiate Atmosphere and Culture. In order to avoid the “Sunday School as Usual” mentality, it is crucial that Heritage University provide an atmosphere and culture that is similar to that of a true university. The following characteristics will comprise this atmosphere.

Teaching Style – All classes will be taught in a manner similar to that of university level education. While not necessarily limited to a lecture format, courses will be closed, build on each other from week to week, and have measurable results.

Student Freedom – Students will be encouraged to engage different view points and accurately assess the truth for themselves. Information will not be merely downloaded, but digested, and then hopefully incarnated.

Curriculum – While we will use some outside curriculum, most courses will be custom designed by university faculty and staff.

Organizational Structure – Heritage University will be led by the Walk Pastor and the Dean. Both will seek to serve the Faculty to the utmost, through exhortation, equipping, and accountability.

Classroom Setting – While it may vary somewhat from course to course, students will sit around tables, in order to take notes, which will be handed out at the beginning of each class. There should be ample time for discussion during the class and then regular, well placed, big-picture discussions throughout the course. Course sizes will be limited to 20-25 students, depending on the room, and will be closed after two weeks.

Marketing and Advertising – Each trimester will be promoted during the off month that precedes it. As Heritage University is seeking to create and communicate a specific culture, all notes, handouts, syllabi’s, etc. will follow a general format provided by the Dean and the Walk Pastor. This format will be primarily aesthetic, and will not hinder any particular Professor’s way of organizing notes and thoughts on paper.

Gifted and Prepared Professors. The bible speaks of teaching as being a spiritual gift. It would be an injustice to a learning institution to employ any professor that is not gifted to teach and completely passionate in the endeavor of teaching people. The other side of the coin is being prepared. Even the most gifted of teachers must seek to be prepared prior to stepping in front of the class. Preparedness, in the eyes of Heritage University is encompassed by:

Deep Knowledge – A Professor is expected to have a deep knowledge of the material being taught. One cannot simply be an echo of a truth read in a book, rather a distinct voice issuing forth a truth that has been distinctly indwelled in your own life.

Personal Holiness – Professors, Deans, and Walk Pastors are expected to live a life that is completely consecrated before God in Holiness. Truth that is merely spoken means nothing, and has no place in this institution.

Stewardship of Time – A Professor is expected to wisely use the time allotted during the trimester. This would include being prepared for class while also maintaining their commitment to the class by making every attempt to not miss any classes during the trimester unless under the severest of circumstances.

Informational Freedom – A Professor must be able to show multiple viewpoints on a single subject with accuracy, no bias, and all the while holding securely to the truth. In doing this, students will be taught to engage all material critically. In holding to this standard, an atmosphere of interaction and rich learning will occur.

Creative Teaching – A Professor must find creative ways to engage the students. Students should be given the opportunity to interact with the material in multiple ways within each trimester.

Biblically Sound and Relevant Curriculum. All classes must be safely grounded in the Word of God, while also teaching students truths that are applicable to their life and time. Therefore any curriculum should pass the Exegetical, Theological, Homiletical test. This includes:

Exegetical – Interacting with scripture on the author’s terms, within the author’s cultural and chronological context.

Theological – Receiving from scripture timeless truths about God and how He interacts with man.

Homiletical – Finding ways to apply to our lives and proclaim to our times those timeless truths.

The whole time the Holy Spirit must guide this process, keeping us in right relationship to all elements involved, including our own experience, reason, and specific context.

Graduation Day. The goal of Heritage University is to graduate students who will take what they have learned and then employ their renewed minds in the society. Bottom line: we learn so that we can live what is learned. The disciple will experience multiple periods of intensive training transitioning into intensive ministry, it is right and beneficial to all involved to celebrate both.

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With this Mission in mind, through this Educational Philosophy, and upon these four Foundational Pillars, students will engage Heritage University in one of three primary avenues: in order to obtain a degree in Christian Discipleship, in order to obtain a certificate in a specific area of Christian Discipleship, or to simply take select courses individually.

Degree in Christian Discipleship. Upon completion of eight courses, one in each area of discipleship, the student will receive his or her general degree in Christian Discipleship.

Certificate of Studies in Specific Area. The faculty at Heritage University is currently working on multiple Certificates of Studies, in different areas of study. Certificates will be awarded after the completion of three to four courses in a particular subset of the total discipleship curriculum offered.

Individual Courses. Students may interact with Heritage University on a course to course basis; however, all students will be encouraged to engage discipleship in a life-wide manner, taking courses in all eight areas of study.

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In the Fall of 2007, four courses will be offered at 8:45 am on Sunday morning, each in a different area of discipleship outlined above. In the Spring of 2008 and Fall of 2008, eight courses will be offered, each in a different area. From that point forward, every Fall and Spring, students will be able to take any one of any of the eight areas. Every Summer, four of the eight areas will be offered. By the Fall of 2008 courses will also be offered during the Traditional Worship hour so that Traditional Sunday School classes will be able to take advantage of this avenue of discipleship as well.

Between each trimester, one month will be taken off for rest, preparation for and promotion of the next trimester. Students will be able to achieve their degree in Christian Discipleship within eight trimesters, a little over two and one half years. Multiple new courses will be rotating in the schedule for each of the eight areas, giving students who have graduated already, the opportunity to continue in discipleship.

Our Course Line Up Spring 2008:

HU 302: Church History by Charles & Jeri Ann Olson

Church History will explore the rich Heritage of our Christian past from the death of Christ until today. We will see how God’s spirit has worked through past generations to spread the Church, which started with just a few followers of Jesus in the Holy Land, to the millions of Christians today that live on every corner of the world. The successes and failures of the past will be reviewed in the cultural context of the times so that we can learn and connect with the historical figures of the Church. We will also look into the origins of the traditions of the Church to see how they developed, and to give meaning to the practices and ceremonies that we still observe today.

HU 402: It’s Out There by Tyler Wood

It’s Out There is a course intended not only to provide an understanding of world religions and pseudo-Christian cults, but it also enables the student to lead others to Christ through engaging them in love. We will discuss one religion/cult per week, outline its core beliefs, compare and contrast those beliefs with those of Christianity, and discuss how and why we must be prepared to interact with people of these faiths. If we are to be the light of Christ in this ever-darkening world, it is imperative that we are aware of faiths that oppose us; faiths that are very real to millions of people.

HU 702: Pain, Perplexity, & Promotion by Mike Kneeland

This course walks you through the book of Job, using Bob Sorge’s prophetic interpretation found in his book Pain, Perplexity, and Promotion. Gaining an understanding of how God interacted with Job is essential if we are going to be victorious over pain and perplexity in our lives and move into true promotion – which is intimacy with Him.

HU 802: The Holy Spirit by Rev. Bob King & Jennifer Bauman

No matter what difficulty, challenge, or heartache we face, we can have immediate and free access to some “One” who never makes a mistake. That some “One” is the Holy Spirit. He can, and will, grant us wisdom beyond our years, and fashion us into the likeness of Christ. He’s always with us. He’s always available. He loves us no matter “what.” He can help us change. These lessons will introduce class members to the person of the Holy Spirit, and lead them into a deeper relationship with Him.

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CLASS REGISTRATION

To register on-line, follow these 6 steps:

Click on the "members" link at the top left hand corner of this page.
The Access ACS secure login will appear in a new window.
Sign In using your user name and password. If you are not already set up on ACS, simply click on the "get your user name and password link"
Once inside ACS, under the "I want to view..." window, click on the "available upcoming events" link.
All HU classes will appear. Click on the "more info" button of the class you wish to register for.
Finally, click the "register" button, and follow the last few steps.

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MISSION STATEMENT: