Why start an online BB ministerial academy?

[Rhetorician]

StefanM,

You hang with us, you may be the only one who is in the real world that can keep the rest of our heads out of the "academic stratosphere."

Thanks for the good word and work.

sdg!

rd

 

[Rhetorician]

To all who are involved in the curriculum writing:

Can we state that ALL CLASSES MUST have a practical application or practicum attached? Is this doable?

I would really like to see this as a dynamic or philosophy that would act as a "common denominator" for all that is done from hence forward!

sdg!

rd

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Anything is doable. The motto a Boeing is "we can make a rock fly if we have enough power".
I may be wrong but some of these courses by nature are practical so that part is a done deal.

I would expect when we have moved the preachers far enough along that they will be preaching in rescue missions,retirement homes,jails, and churches (I include missionaries with preachers).I would expect the teachers to be teaching or training teachers in Sunday School.I would expect them all to do visitation and personal evangelism.

 

[Rhetorician]

POB,

I really, really, really, believe that we need a course in "Spiritual Formations:" That would deal with the call, spiritual disciplines, personal Bible study, journaling, personal discilpines, prayer life, sin in the life of the minister, how to deal with sin in the life of the minister, etc.

I had to take one of these courses @ The Southern Baptist Seminary. I was 44 at the time and had been in the ministry 15 yrs. I was offended until I took the course. It had so many insights I only wished I could have had it on the "git go."

Think about it!

sdg!

rd

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Bro. StefanM has agreed to be our school secratary.
Welcome and many thanks StefanM.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
POB

 

[JamesBell]

Bill, all of the requested changes (minus art work-- I will be working on that for a few days I think.) have been made. The last link listed isn't active, but I am trying to track it down. As per your request, I am posting the link to the entire forum.

http://www.right-consulting.com/baptist_board_institute.htm

 

[StefanM]

Originally posted by Rhetorician:
POB,

I really, really, really, believe that we need a course in "Spiritual Formations:" That would deal with the call, spiritual disciplines, personal Bible study, journaling, personal discilpines, prayer life, sin in the life of the minister, how to deal with sin in the life of the minister, etc.

I had to take one of these courses @ The Southern Baptist Seminary. I was 44 at the time and had been in the ministry 15 yrs. I was offended until I took the course. It had so many insights I only wished I could have had it on the "git go."

Think about it!

sdg!

rd

Sounds great! I think it would make a great course for the first semester!

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I would call that a primary course.That is an outstanding idea.What think you UZThD?

 

[JamesBell]

I am "chomping at the bit" waiting on that class. I hope that it is decided to offer this class. Allow my to volunteer myself to be a testing resource for the course. (Or any others as I have time. I am carrying 21 hours at a secular university this fall, so time may be a little tight.)

 

[TaterTot]

Originally posted by Rhetorician:
POB,

I really, really, really, believe that we need a course in "Spiritual Formations:" That would deal with the call, spiritual disciplines, personal Bible study, journaling, personal discilpines, prayer life, sin in the life of the minister, how to deal with sin in the life of the minister, etc.

I had to take one of these courses @ The Southern Baptist Seminary. I was 44 at the time and had been in the ministry 15 yrs. I was offended until I took the course. It had so many insights I only wished I could have had it on the "git go."

Think about it!

sdg!


rd

I thought the same thing. It was required toward the end on my time in seminary, and I thought it would be fluff. It was easy credit, but it was one of the most meaningful and memorable classes I had. I think its a must too!!

Did anyone mention anything like Women's ministry? I know lots of ladies who feel called in that direction and would like some training.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I think there are many things women can do ministry wise.With the exception of pastor.
There a deaconnesses in the Bible.Women can teach and in some settings it is appropriate for them to preach,we are all told to go out into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.I think Biblically speaking the only offices not open to women are pastor and deacon again keeping in mind there were deaconesses.

 

[TaterTot]

No, I am not talking about that...I am talking about Women's ministry as in someone ministering TO women. A la Beth Moore, etc.

 

[UZThD]

re THEOLOGY

I think that our planning of curriculum pivots on the needs of those students we expect to serve. If we suppose that the majority will go on to seminary training, then we likely will offer somewhat different things than if we think that our program will often be terminal for many of our students.

My suggested curriculum was designed to inform and empower one who expected NOT to go on to finish a BA and a masters in Bible/Ministry. So, I asked myself what courses would best enable one to have the knowledge and the skills to after completion of two years of study serve God in the area of calling.

IMO it is very important for such one to understand the doctrines of Christianity and hold to them. That is why I laced my suggested curriculum much with Theology. I really hope that I am not just doing that because I love Theology ; I don't think that is it.

It can be fairly asked why if an MDiv curriculum only has 12 units of Theology, as I recall Western having, then why should ours have 8 of systematic and even more Biblical Theology. The first reason is that, again, I perceived our program as in most cases being terminal NOT prepatory for seminary. The second reason is that IMO that number of units is required to fairly and faithfully cover the many complex and intricate doctrines about which there such varied opinion even within conservative/evangelical thought. The third reason is that more units do NOT make it more difficult, it actually lessens the difficulty because it allows more time for ingestion and understanding to occur.

cont. (aol beeps me into cyber space)

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I Could,nt agree more.This is also the reason I am eager to include 2 years of greek and a course on how to use Bible study helps.This would help the student to become an independant lifelong learner.
Not only that,what if the student decided to go to a Bible college and then seminary,think of how well equipped he/she would be.

 

[UZThD]

cont.

re GREEK

I would not object to not requiring Greek. But I observe that Greek Grammar and exegesis will be extremely helpful in many contexts as interacting with scholarly literature, teaching Bible, and preparing sermons.

But if Greek, why not Hebrew too, and why ,UZ ,the emphasis on the NT and not the OT? (1) We have very limited room in 60 semester units, (2) it would be easier to find a Greek prof than a Hebrew, (3) most importantly, Revelation is progressive and the NT is of more importance, therefore, in my estimation than is the OT.

But why Greek exegesis too? Because NT exegesis without Greek is like a lake with no fishing pole and grammar without exegesis is as a fishing pole without a lake.

re OTHERS

NT Introduction is much needed IMO. Where else will canon, using sources to determine the text, authorship, various problems as the documentary hypothesis or form criticism or the Synoptic problem be covered? PLEASE don't say "squeeze them all in to Theology!"

English Grammar and Composition is not the equivalent of learning by writing papers. G and C is much more intensive. Of course , corrections in students papers help, but that will not easily substitute for a course which focuses on rules of English.

IMO a class as on personal holiness as Being God's Servant is worthy as in it books as Tozer's A Knowledge of the Holy or Lawrence Prac the Presence of God can be read and Biblical texts on servanthood to God examined.

IMO Apologetics and Cults by their very names demand inclusion in the curriculum.

Yes the Synoptic Gospels could lamely substitute for life of Christ IF they are required. But the latter includes John's account too.

Biblical Theology is not Systematic Theology. In the former doctrinal emphases of Biblical writers is noted instead of being a synthesis. So John's thought, eg, is contrasted with Paul's.

The Book of Acts IMO and Romans are very valuable studies. The first provides insight into the history of the apostolic church and the second interfaces which major chunks of Pauline soteriology. But I will not object if others are taught in place of or in addition to these.

IN fact, I will not strenuosly oblect on much at all. These comments above and my proposed curriculum are just my ideas , and I will try to go with the flow.

 

[UZThD]

Originally posted by Plain Old Bill:
I would call that a primary course.That is an outstanding idea.What think you UZThD?

====

That is my Being God's Servant in my proposed curr

 

[StefanM]

I thought I'd give some M.Div. requirements for Systematic Theology--

SBC SEMINARIES

SBTS-- 9 hrs
SWBTS-- 6 hrs
MBTS-- 6 hrs
GGBTS-- 6 hrs
SEBTS-- 6 hrs
NOBTS-- 6 hrs
-----
Gordon-Conwell - 9 hrs

There are many other examples, but I can't waste all day

.
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2 year associate degree/diploma programs (This is basically what we are aiming for, right?)

NOBTS-- only 3 hours

SBTS-- 6 hours

SWBTS--I couldn't find an associate program, but the BA only requires 6 hours

GGBTS-- 6 hours

MBTS-- 6 hours

Those are just to name a few, and all of these were more than 60 hours, one even up to 70 hours (NOBTS).
--------

If this program wants to have a significant number of theology units, why not add a few classes to the program so that we don't have to sacrifice them for the theology units?

My only real concern about the theology classes is keeping it at institute level. The students in the program will be non-traditional students, and the program is at its highest level equivalent to a college sophomore's education. If the classes are too deep, they'll go over the average student's head, and none of us want that.

 

[StefanM]

Greek would be easier to teach than Hebrew, if for no other reason but vocabulary. My main concern with this would be for the laypersons involved in the program. Sure, Greek would help anyone who studied it, but IMO, requiring it would discourage non-vocational ministers (and some vocational ministers) from attending. As far as exegesis goes, UZ, you're right. The only problem is fitting it into a 2 year program. Perhaps have a 4 hour Intro course in one semester to get the foundations and a 2 hour exegesis course in the next?

Biblical Theology could be addressed in the Biblical Studies classes, IMO. The profs in my undergraduate program have done that quite well. You can also bring it up in Systematic Theology classes as way of viewing the propositions from a different angle. I've seen it done in my classes.

As far as textual criticism, etc.. . . this can be accomplished in survey courses if they have enough hours. If they are three hours, you can do it in them. If they are only two, then you would need another course. The grand total would be six hours either way; my curriculum was just based on three hour classes. You can also explore the issues more indepth in the "book" classes.

As far as the synoptic gospels issue goes, IMO, if we mesh all the gospels together, we'll neglect some the unique perspective John provides. My concern would be about how one could cover all 4 gospels in a two hour course. I'd think it would have to be at least 4 hours (perhaps Life of Christ 1: The Synoptic Gospels, Life of Christ 2: John)? In these classes you could really hammer home form crit, lit crit, text crit, etc.

Some class on grammar and comp is necessary, as long as the focus is geared toward our program. e.g.--don't teach them to use MLA if we're going to require Turabian; Don't ask them to critique a play--ask them to explicate a Psalm. Perhaps we could require two courses--one on grammar rules and sentence formation, one on essay writing?


Also, I think if the program is going to be heavily computer-oriented, a one hour computer orientation class could be beneficial.

As far as the OT and NT go, I have no problem with having more NT classes than OT classes, as long as the OT is not completely neglected (survey doesn't count). IMO, the average student would do well to learn from the Old Testament as well, so that in ministry he will preach/teach the full counsel of God.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I understand your concerns.We are thinking outside of the box a little.
The concept of the school is some courses being hands on practical espescially designed to put the walk in the talk so to speak.An example would be Church planting.Although this would not be a graduate level course it is somewhat detailed and takes a lot of knowledge and work.2 years of greek is academic at the 4 year college level and a person needs it to really understand the N.T..
Theology is genearally an upper division Bible college course or primary seminary course. We teach all of these courses in the same manner you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.We bring the student from where they are to where they need to be to be properly equipped.
This may be the only training some people ever get so we want to give them the tools to succeed in the task God has called them to.This 2 year or 2 year+ program is preparation for service.That is the primary task. The fact that some courses will be transferable to other institutions is an added benefit and is highly desirable, but we are not trying to build a Jr. Bible college.

At least that is the way I see it.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

has anyone here beside me read "Successful Soul-Winning" by Stephan Olford. That is the book Moody Bible Institute uses to teach personal evangelism.I think it would be excellant for us to use as a textbook for personal evangelism.It can be ordered thruogh Christian bookstores or online and it is INEXPENSIVE.What do you think?