Our little local ifb church here in Casper is slowly recognizing what it CAN do. We offer formal classes (teaching Greek and Revelation right now) and ministry training as well. We are about 100 members and a budget of under $100,000 and have an "intern" (graduate of a Bible college who will spend 2 years here taking classes and working with the pastor).
This is NOT "formal" education. I prefer formal training, but have also seen men shrivel and die in their zeal for the Lord in the years of college and seminary. So this is just one local church's answer.
BTW, had some TOTALLY WORTHLESS classes in Bible College and in grad work. Had to have them to graduate, but waste of my time. But in 1984 when I became Dean of a College and Grad school, I worked hard to make every class of great value; we also taped or videod EVERY class so that no student missed a single item of importance.
This is NOT "formal" education. I prefer formal training, but have also seen men shrivel and die in their zeal for the Lord in the years of college and seminary. So this is just one local church's answer.
BTW, had some TOTALLY WORTHLESS classes in Bible College and in grad work. Had to have them to graduate, but waste of my time. But in 1984 when I became Dean of a College and Grad school, I worked hard to make every class of great value; we also taped or videod EVERY class so that no student missed a single item of importance.