LCU Values Church Partnerships
Since its founding as Lincoln Bible Institute in 1944, Lincoln Christian University has prioritized an inseparable partnership with the local church. For the first seven years of the school’s history, Earl C Hargrove, our founding president, continued to serve as minister of Lincoln Christian Church. In those early days, professors and students filled the pulpits of churches throughout Illinois and the Midwest. They continue to today.
Through the years, the partnership between local churches and LCU has become an even more meaningful and mutually beneficial collaboration. We depend upon churches for prayer partnership, prospective students, and financial resources that are invested in equipping the next generation of Kingdom leaders. The church has for generations now depended on LCU for well-equipped leaders – preachers and pastors, youth and worship and children’s ministers, and leaders in virtually every other kind of church ministry – as well as knowledgeable and impassioned congregants. This “two way street” relationship has always been the foundation of LCU’s educational approach, and remains so.
Enabled by hundreds of local church partnerships, LCU continues to fulfill its mission of nurturing and equipping Lincoln Leaders “to serve and lead in the Church and the world.” Below are several opportunities and services LCU offers for the benefit of churches:
LCU Comes to You
A couple of these services have specific links. For those that don’t, email the Advancement Office or call 217-732-3168 for more info.
Elder and Leader Development
Members of our faculty or staff will come train and consult with church leaders on the specific needs of your church.
Church Assessment
LCU can help you determine the health and direction of your congregation through formal and informal assessment tools.
Educational Seminars
Faculty members are available to present seminars to church groups on a variety of Biblical topics and ministry skills.
Internships & Residencies
LCU offers mutually beneficial arrangements for churches and students who are interested in internships and residency programs, where the student learns hands-on ministry skills from the church, and learns Bible and worldview in an on-campus or online classroom setting from LCU.
Pulpit Supply and Guest Speakers
Do you need someone to fill the pulpit for a week while the minister is on vacation or ill? Are you looking for someone to do an interim ministry of several months while you search for a new minister? Are you looking for just the right person to provide your congregation with specific Bible teaching or a ministry skills seminar? Contact us here. We’d love to help.
Meet Us Online
Referral Services
Let candidates know about an open ministry position at your church, or let churches know you’re looking for a ministry through the Open Ministries link.
Chapel Sermons
Browse and listen to sermon recordings from LCU’s past chapel services and special lectures here.
Library Resources
Anyone can use the Jessie C. Eury Library resources within the library facility. A Library Courtesy Card is required to checkout a resource.
Online Giving
Support LCU financially by clicking here.
Online Classes
LCU has a growing number of classes and degree programs you can take from your own home. You can begin or continue your journey as student here.