VBI – New and Improved
(as of January 2009)

From Here to There and Back Again

VBI (Vineyard Bible Institute) was originally developed by Bob Fulton back in the 90’s. After a time, he asked Derek Morphew to oversee it and the program moved to South Africa. For the sake of longevity and improving the program, Derek has asked to bring the program back to the United States. With the encouragement of Bert Waggoner and Derek Morphew, Happy Leman was asked to form a partnership that would sponsor VBI for the USA and the rest of the Vineyard world.

Forming a Partnership Team

Over the last few months, numerous churches that were using VBI and/or training large numbers of disciples were asked if they would like to participate at the partnership level of VBI. This partnership will function much like a missions partnership as it seeks to provide VBI benefits to Vineyards everywhere. The following churches (and senior pastors) are part of the founding partnership (aka VBIP).

• Vineyard Sugarland, Bert Waggoner
• Vineyard Anaheim, Lance Pittluck
• Vineyard Champaign-Urbana, Hap and Di Leman 
• Vineyard of the Rockies, Rick Olmstead 
• Vineyard Jacksonville Beaches, Lee Brookins 
• Vineyard Tucson, Rick Leis 
• Vineyard Gilbert, Jack Moraine 
• Vineyard Duluth, Michael and Brenda Gatlin 

Renewing and Improving VBI

Over the next 12 months, we hope to improve and change much of how VBI functions. It will still have the same great course content but we will greatly improve access through the use of on-line classes, corresponding DVD teachings, and computer based resources. Following are 5 major ways that VBI will play a significant role in helping the Vineyard achieve its dreams and goals in terms of discipleship and training both in the USA and on the mission field.

Sample Classes – Kingdom Track

There are 3 major areas of study – Kingdom, Practical, and Biblical Theology – that are available through VBI. Following are a sample of the classes (in the Kingdom track) taught by Derek Morphew and other outstanding instructors within the Vineyard.

• The Bigger Story of God
• Breakthrough: The Nature of the Kingdom 
• The Ministry of the Kingdom 
• The Implications of the Kingdom 
• Doing Church / Doing Healing 
• Authority to Heal 
• Empowered Evangelicals 
• The Church and Its Leaders 

Various Levels and Costs

VBI will be available in 4 levels.

• Level 1 – Discipleship / School of Ministry – $15 per class
• Level 2 – Diploma – $50 per class
• Level 3 – Advanced Diploma – $100 per class
• Level 4 – Bachelor of Christian Studies degree – $100 per class plus other fees

Availability to All Vineyards

The 10 sponsoring churches are obviously users of the program. They have each invested significant financial resources to ensure the viability of VBI. As a way of helping them offset costs, we are asking that any other church using VBI choose one of the founding partners as their sponsoring church.  This means that any resources they purchase from VBI will be credited to the sponsor’s account. It will all be done electronically when churches register students for the Discipleship or Diploma programs. We also ask that all questions and requests for assistance first go through your sponsoring church. For additional help, you may call the resource people listed at the bottom of the reverse side.

Access Through Vineyard Resources

We are working on an agreement with Vineyard Resources to be the place where you can obtain VBI materials. We will be sending more information on this very shortly.

Five Basic Ways to Use VBI

VBI is being reformatted and re-launched under the leadership of VBI Partners (VBIP).  It has potential to become a major force in Vineyard discipleship throughout the nation.  Following are 5 possible benefits/ways to use VBI resources.

1.       In-Church Discipleship Program

Since most churches cannot afford their own training track, VBI is a perfect tool for conducting classes on various topics within the church. These classes can be conducted at the Discipleship Level for $15 per person.  This low cost is much cheaper than hiring even a part-time individual to oversee and teach these classes. Our goal is to have every class on-line with a corresponding instructor available on DVD. Thus the classes can be run even in churches without mature teachers.

2.       Use Within Small Groups / Neighborhood Bible Studies

Over the next few months, VBI is rewriting the top 20-30 classes into 30 page summaries. These will be ideal for use in small groups over 4-6 week periods. They could also be a great alternative to Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, etc. materials that many churches now use.

3.       Church Planters’ Resource

We will make VBI materials 100% free to church planters for the first 12 months. The second 12 months will be 50% off and the third 12 months will be 25% reduction in the cost of materials. This will allow church planters to get excellent Vineyard teaching into his/her team in those early formative years.

4.       Missionary Training Tool

We will make these materials available to missionaries for free if they follow our process.

• The missionary will take 2 full length classes for credit.
• When he/she completes the tests, he/she is licensed to teach the short version which is also provided at no cost.
• He/she gathers at least 10 or more people and teaches the 30 page booklets.
• When people finish the class as seen by completing the short on-line tests, the missionary is allowed to take the next full length class for free.
• As long as the missionary keeps getting at least 10 people or more per class and they complete the on-line tests, the next class is always free.
• We are in the process of translating the booklets at this time. We need translation help from the various missions partnerships.
• We are already using it in China (See Mark Fields for a recommendation).
  

5.       Undergraduate Degrees (while staying at home)

By combining with junior colleges, St Stephen's University has agreed to give undergraduate degrees for taking the full length VBI classes.  Here are a few details.

• 30-60 hours needed from a local junior college (or any accredited college)
• 60-90 hours needed on VBI classes
• 120 total hours needed for the Bachelor of Christian Studies degree
  
• Our teenagers (or anyone) can stay home, intern, and be trained to be church planters, leaders, etc.
• A 4-year degree would cost less than $15,000 TOTAL (housing extra)
• We would greatly increase the number of individuals who are Biblically trained with an accredited undergraduate degree

 

Other Resources / People

Website: http://vbivc.org

Jeff Augustine ( For inquiries related to the BCS program or the academic programs): This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Penny Moisson (call for questions regarding classes): 217-493-3796, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it