FAQs
A list of answers to common questions can be found below. Don’t see what you need? You can send us a message at the bottom of this page, and we’ll gladly get back to you as soon as possible.
About Charles Stanley Institute
What is Charles Stanley Institute?
Charles Stanley Institute is the disciple-training arm of In Touch Ministries. It exists to provide believers with sound biblical instruction so they can know God, learn to listen to Him, walk with Him, take hold of all for which He created them, and live the abundant Christian life.
Did Dr. Stanley know about Charles Stanley Institute?
Yes. Before he went home to the Lord, Dr. Stanley expressed his desire for In Touch Ministries to continue broadcasting his messages and keep making disciples worldwide. As he and the current president and CEO of In Touch, Phillip Bowen, prayed, God gave them the idea for Charles Stanley Institute to carry on the mission. Dr. Stanley even took part in choosing key team members—people he trusted to teach the Word of God as he would.
What is the significance of Charles Stanley
Institute's logo?
Charles Stanley Institute’s logo is composed of a tree with its roots firmly planted in the Bible. When Dr. Stanley went home to be with the Lord, one of his dear friends said, “An oak of righteousness has entered the hall of faith.” Why an oak of righteousness? Isaiah 61:3 tells us, “They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Certainly, Dr. Stanley was planted in the Lord, and God glorified Himself through him.
Therefore, our prayer for the Institute is that more oaks of righteousness will rise up to glorify the Lord— disciples with Dr. Stanley’s heart for the lost, love for Christ, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and commitment to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. This is the message behind the logo. Because when a person delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night, “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Ps. 1:3).
Who will teach at Charles Stanley Institute?
Charles Stanley Institute is based on Dr. Stanley’s teachings, and in each class, you’ll begin with his messages. However, there will also be new materials that align with his teachings—such as instructional videos, Bible studies, and leader guides. Those resources are authored by people who worked closely with Dr. Stanley for decades, including individuals he specially chose for the team. You may see some new presenters on the videos but be assured that everyone on the team works together to obey God, align with His Word, and stay true to Dr. Stanley’s legacy. This team is dedicated to Dr. Stanley’s heart and vision for the future of the ministry.
What is the relationship between Charles Stanley Institute and In Touch Ministries?
Charles Stanley Institute is a ministry initiative developed by In Touch Ministries to fulfill its mission to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and strengthen the local church.
Is there an actual physical Charles Stanley Institute?
If so, may I visit?
Currently, a classroom training site is in development at the In Touch Ministries headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be available in the near future. However, we are currently unable to accommodate students.
Is Charles Stanley Institute accredited or
recognized by any educational authorities?
Currently, Charles Stanley Institute is not accredited. You may earn certificates upon completing courses; however, they will not be transferable to other educational institutions.
More Frequently Asked Questions
I am having trouble with the site. What should I do?
First, check to see if you can reach a popular site like Google. If not, there may be a problem with your connection to the Internet and we recommend you contact your service provider. If you have a reliable internet connection, you can also try updating and/or restarting your Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Explorer). This may help resolve video or audio playback issues.
I can’t get into my account. What should I do?
We’re sorry to hear that! If you would like to update your password so you can log in, please https://charlesstanleyinstitute.org/forgotten-password and we will send you an email with a link to reset your password.
Do the class videos include captions?
Yes, to enable the Closed Captioning option on videos, please click the button labeled “CC” in the bottom righthand corner of the viewing window. Also, each class has a transcript option in the submenu below the video player.
May I donate to Charles Stanley Institute?
Thank you for partnering with us! Please visit https://store.intouch.org/donate/general to help us carry on the mission of leading people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
What is the difference between Charles Stanley Institute coursework and Dr. Stanley’s sermons?
Principles from Dr. Stanley’s sermons serve as the foundation for Charles Stanley Institute coursework. In each class, you’ll begin with his messages and then engage with materials that align with his teachings—such as instructional videos, Bible studies, and leader guides. Those resources are authored by people who’ve worked closely with Dr. Stanley for decades, including individuals he specially chose for the team. You may see some new presenters on the videos but be assured that everyone on the team works together to obey God, align with His Word, and stay true to Dr. Stanley’s legacy. This team is dedicated to Dr. Stanley’s heart and vision for the future of the ministry.
If I want to study at Charles Stanley Institute, where do I start?
Register for your free account on this website, where you can track your progress and customize your educational experience. We encourage students to begin with the Called to Be a Disciple course. You will start there with the class titled, “What Are You Living For?”
Are group study opportunities available through Charles Stanley Institute?
Within each Charles Stanley Institute class, there will be a community forum so you can discuss your thoughts about the lessons with other believers and have fellowship with them. Also, a leader guide is included with each class if you want to start a group study with friends, a small group, or your Sunday school class. The leader guide has discussion prompts and additional resources to help you guide the class.
Are Charles Stanley Institute courses free?
There is no charge to take courses at Charles Stanley Institute. We will endeavor to keep as much free as possible in the spirit of how Dr. Stanley established In Touch Ministries. However, there will be a registration process so you can customize your educational experience to your preferences.
What resources are included with Charles Stanley Institute courses?
Charles Stanley Institute courses include:
- Messages by Dr. Stanley
- Sermon Listening Guides
- Instructional videos that help you explore the topic more
- In-depth Study Guides that accompany Dr. Stanley’s messages
- Leader’s Guides with discussion prompts and supplementary commentary
- And additional sermons and articles for further study
R.E.A.D. Clubs include:
- An in-depth look at one of Dr. Stanley’s bestselling books
- The transformational sermon series by Dr. Stanley that the book was based on
- Instructive videos highlighting significant concepts
- A discussion forum so you can chat about what you’ve learned with other believers and Charles Stanley Institute team members
- R.E.A.D. Guides to help you apply what you’ve learned
Will I need to buy any resource materials for Charles Stanley Institute courses?
No purchase will be required for taking Charles Stanley Institute classes. In each course, you will have access to study resources for free.
Who is the featured artist in The Book of Books course?
Featured in this course are works of French artist, Gustave Doré. Born in 1832, Dore had a passion for traveling the world and is considered one of the most prolific and successful book illustrators of the late 19th century. Doré is perhaps best known for his illustrations of classic literary characters and scenes from works such as Dante’s Inferno, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and Milton’s Paradise Lost.
It was in 1866 that he produced illustrations for a large folio Bible, which today is considered one of the most popular illustrated Bibles of all time. The work depicts more than 200 biblical stories and received great commercial success.
I have a hearing disability. Will I have access to the information provided in the audio and video clips?
Yes, every audio and video segment produced by Charles Stanley Institute will be transcribed for easy reading. The text version will either be presented on the same page as the audio/video segment or will be accessible through a link that accompanies it.
Can prisoners receive Charles Stanley Institute course materials?
Prisoners can receive Charles Stanley Institute course materials by accessing the videos and downloadable PDFs on each class page. If they require a printed version, their chaplain, librarian, or administrator may print a copy of the PDFs for them.
What is the target age for Charles Stanley Institute? Am I too young/old to start?
The classes of Charles Stanley Institute are structured to appeal to ages twelve and older. We endeavor to simplify the complex. Just as there is something for everyone in Dr. Stanley’s sermons, there is something for everyone in these classes.
Can children take Charles Stanley Institute classes?
Charles Stanley Institute materials are recommended for ages twelve and above. However, parents may wish to go through the classes with their children to disciple them.
Will my Charles Stanley Institute courses transfer to another educational institution?
Currently, Charles Stanley Institute is not accredited. Therefore, you may earn certificates upon completing courses; however, they will not be transferable to other educational institutions.
Can I earn college credits through Charles Stanley Institute?
Currently, Charles Stanley Institute is not accredited. Therefore, you may earn certificates upon completing courses; however, they will not be transferable to other educational institutions.
Does taking courses through Charles Stanley Institute qualify me to be a pastor?
Charles Stanley Institute is designed for discipleship—so you can walk with Christ and fulfill your God-given calling. However, the Institute cannot ordain anyone to ministry and is not considered seminary-level training.
Will Charles Stanley Institute courses be available in other languages?
In the future, we hope to have Charles Stanley Institute courses in more languages. However, there are only English classes available at present.
Does a student need to know Greek or Hebrew to take the classes?
No. Although interesting word studies will be presented in the classes, a knowledge of the biblical languages is not necessary.
What Bible version do I need?
You are welcome to use any Bible version you like. Classes generally use the New American Standard version of the Bible. However, you may read the Word of God and follow the curriculum in whichever version you prefer.
How do you measure my progress as a student?
Each course measures your progress through short tests that involve true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the- blank, and matching questions. You do not have to take the quizzes if you simply wish to enjoy the class content. However, if you would like certificates of completion for your courses, correctly answering the questions presented is required.
Can I ask questions and get feedback?
Before contacting Charles Stanley Institute via e-mail, we encourage you to read the FAQs in their entirety. We have tried to anticipate common questions and answer them accordingly. However, should you have additional questions or comments, you can contact a member of the Institute team at info@charlesstanleyinstitute.org.
How can I find out more about In Touch Ministries?
In Touch Ministries is the multimedia ministry of Dr. Charles F. Stanley, whose sermons are currently broadcast on more than 4,000 television, radio, and satellite networks and stations worldwide; have been translated into 127 languages; and reach more than 115 million homes domestically. For more information about In Touch Ministries and Dr. Stanley, visit www.intouch.org.
