The Association of Related Churches Shares How Educational Campuses Can Help Foster the Next Generation of Pastors

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) has long been a driving force in supporting new church plants and equipping church leaders. One of the most innovative ways ARC accomplishes this is through its partnering with educational campuses, which serve as training grounds for future pastors. Institutions like Highlands College, founded by the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, showcase how these campuses provide academic rigor, spiritual growth, and practical ministry experience to nurture the next generation of ministry leaders.

The Growing Need for Church Leaders

In recent years, there has been growing concern within the Christian community about the dwindling number of individuals entering full-time ministry roles. According to studies, the ministry workforce could decline by up to 50% over the next two decades, a trend that alarms church leaders. The Association of Related Churches and its network of churches are responding by strategically partnering with educational campuses like Highlands College to bridge this gap and develop leaders who can meet the needs of local churches.

ARC has planted thousands of churches across the globe. But as Chris Hodges, pastor and chancellor of Highlands College, notes, the dream isn't just about planting churches—it's about ensuring the leaders sustaining them are competent and spiritually grounded. By partnering with organizations and church networks, the Association of Related Churches can create a system that produces leaders ready to serve, grow, and impact their communities.

Highlands College: A Model of Education and Ministry Training

Highlands College stands as a leading example of how the Association of Related Churches supports pastoral education. Initially envisioned as a small program to train a few dozen leaders, Highlands College has grown into a full-fledged academic institution offering bachelor's degrees in various ministry-related fields. With over 400 students currently enrolled and plans to expand on-campus enrollment to 1,000 by 2029, Highlands College exemplifies how campuses can create a pipeline of future pastors and ministry leaders.

The educational model at Highlands College revolves around four pillars: academic instruction, ministry training, character formation, and spiritual development. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are knowledgeable, spiritually mature, and ready to serve in leadership roles. Every student graduates with 800 hours of hands-on ministry experience, preparing them for real-world challenges in church leadership.

Practical Training in Real Church Environments

One of Highlands College's standout features is its practical training, which takes place within Church of the Highlands' 26 campuses. This "living laboratory" allows students to actively participate in leading worship services, coordinating community outreach, and managing church operations. This experience ensures that students are fully prepared to step into leadership positions within their churches by the time they graduate.

Chris Hodges, who has mentored many church leaders through the Association of Related Churches, emphasizes the importance of such hands-on experience. "Our students are often receiving ten, fifteen, or even twenty job offers on graduation day because we can connect them to the church world," Hodges explains. ARC's extensive network, including its GrowLeader coaching program for 17,000 leaders, provides unparalleled opportunities for students to find placements in churches around the world.

A Vision for the Future of Pastoral Education

The Association of Related Churches' dedication to fostering future pastors through educational campuses like Highlands College is about more than just filling positions in churches—it's about fulfilling the Great Commission. Luke 10:2, which calls on believers to pray for more laborers in the harvest, serves as the guiding scripture for Highlands College. With an increasing number of graduates each year, the ARC's vision of preparing ministry leaders is coming to fruition.

Highlands College and other campuses, as well as the Association of Related Churches, are partners with the aim of empowering students to graduate with minimal student debt. This allows them to focus on their calling to ministry without financial burdens, which is essential at a time when many graduates leave traditional colleges with significant debt, hindering their ability to pursue full-time ministry roles.

As the demand for church leaders steadily grows, educational campuses like Highlands College offer a sustainable solution. By blending academic excellence with practical ministry experience, these campuses equip the next generation of pastors to serve their communities with competence, character, and a deep love for Christ. The Association of Related Churches remains committed to its mission of planting churches and developing leaders who will impact the world for generations to come.

About the Association of Related Churches (ARC):

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to share the teachings of Jesus Christ effectively. ARC's operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ's life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,100 new churches globally.