Showing posts with label seminary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seminary. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Anglican/Episcopalian Continuing Education Courses Online
The Church Divinity School of the Pacific is offering a series of online continuing education courses. These would be excellent options for Anglicans/Episcopalians and anyone who is interested in Anglican theology to learn more about this faith tradition. Course cost is minimal.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Ministry Education
For those who are interested in a quality ministry education from a conservative (Pentecostal) viewpoint, the Assemblies of God's Global University is an excellent option.
Global University is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education.* It is also endorsed by the Assemblies of God (AOG)as an institution where potential AOG ministers can get their training. The school offers courses at the Bible Institute (adult education) level as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees. All courses are available via distance learning methods, with many courses being available via an online format. The tuition cost is less than half of that at many Bible college or seminary programs, and a wide variety of courses are available. This is a particularly attractive feature to bivocational ministers who do not have the time or income to spend on a traditional/residential program.
*While the US Department of Education does not "rank" accrediting bodies, it should be notied that DETC accreditation is not regarded as prestigious as regional accreditation or accreditation through a specialized agency such as the Assocation of Theological Schools. This can mean that some schools may not accept transfer credits from Global University. It may also mean that some schools may not recognize a Global University Degree as acceptable for admission to a graduate program. However, many schools WILL accept these credits and degrees: You will just need to do additional research prior to applying to other programs.
Global University is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education.* It is also endorsed by the Assemblies of God (AOG)as an institution where potential AOG ministers can get their training. The school offers courses at the Bible Institute (adult education) level as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees. All courses are available via distance learning methods, with many courses being available via an online format. The tuition cost is less than half of that at many Bible college or seminary programs, and a wide variety of courses are available. This is a particularly attractive feature to bivocational ministers who do not have the time or income to spend on a traditional/residential program.
*While the US Department of Education does not "rank" accrediting bodies, it should be notied that DETC accreditation is not regarded as prestigious as regional accreditation or accreditation through a specialized agency such as the Assocation of Theological Schools. This can mean that some schools may not accept transfer credits from Global University. It may also mean that some schools may not recognize a Global University Degree as acceptable for admission to a graduate program. However, many schools WILL accept these credits and degrees: You will just need to do additional research prior to applying to other programs.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Seminary No Guarantee of Salary
The Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an interesting article on September 23rd regarding the state of "mainline" Protestant ministry in the United States. Apparently there just aren't enough pulpits for all the graduates. The problem isn't a lack of churches, however, but rather the kind of churches that actually hire seminary grads. Jewish and Roman Catholic congregations, for example, are in need of more clergy (and the later institution only hires celibate males). Evangelical and "independent" churches are also hiring, but, strangely enough, they don't necessarily require their clergy to be seminary educated.
This brings two things to mind:
1. Are seminaries telling their 80,000 students that the chances of their getting a pulpit are slim? And are they telling prospective students this before encouraging them to relocate, give up jobs, separate from families, and invest $30,000+ in an MDiv? Or are they just saving this news for a surprise?
2. How can anyone argue for the "standardization" of the MDiv as "the" professional degree for clergy when those denominations that DON'T require it are those that actually have the job openings?
I am not against the MDiv. I have one myself and it has proven to be very valuable degree. But I believe that the Christian community has got to reassess the way it thinks about education and preparation for ministry. Does academic accomplishment really do much in the formation of good clergy?
This brings two things to mind:
1. Are seminaries telling their 80,000 students that the chances of their getting a pulpit are slim? And are they telling prospective students this before encouraging them to relocate, give up jobs, separate from families, and invest $30,000+ in an MDiv? Or are they just saving this news for a surprise?
2. How can anyone argue for the "standardization" of the MDiv as "the" professional degree for clergy when those denominations that DON'T require it are those that actually have the job openings?
I am not against the MDiv. I have one myself and it has proven to be very valuable degree. But I believe that the Christian community has got to reassess the way it thinks about education and preparation for ministry. Does academic accomplishment really do much in the formation of good clergy?
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