LIFETIME LEARNING :
A Church Executive Forum
where you serve
Should I get a master ' s degree ? Should I not get a master ' s degree ? Our church can ' t afford it — will it benefit me ? Can I even afford it ?
Despite these perpetual questions ( which you ’ ve probably asked yourself at some point ), full-time bi-vocational and volunteer church leaders are embracing advanced degrees right now . Even post-COVID , and even in a difficult economy .
Why ?
Because there ' s always a need to keep , develop and sharpen your “ tools ” — to make sure you ’ re trained in the ministry God has called you
From our perspective as a seminary offering lifetime learning , making it work often takes the form of practical ministry training . We don ’ t just offer education for education ’ s sake ; biblically based , this training helps you be a better pastor , a better shepherd , and better equipped to grow your church and your people . Specifically , our training focuses on 35 different ministry skills that will help pastors and ministry leaders better lead and run their churches and staffs . Skills which are always in demand among these busy fulltime or bi-vocational church ministry leaders include preaching and teaching the truth of God ’ s word in a meaningful and application-based way . Areas of focus include theology , spiritual formation , pastoral care , leadership and pastoring .
No need to be afraid of change Interestingly , training this personal can be accomplished online . In fact , our entire student population is remote ; it has been that way since our beginning 20 years ago . We designed it this way so our students can stay in their ministry roles . There are no residential requirements , ever , to get your advanced degree . You could rightly say that we specialize in online education — including how to keep it personal and user-friendly . The latter part is especially important , as many students haven ’ t been in active study for 10-plus years . Back then , an in-person lecture format was the standard ;
now , we walk students through how to do school online . Then , we keep our class structures consistent so that students don ’ t have to “ relearn ” the process . To keep online education personal and relational , students have access to professors , administrators and faculty . In fact , in our students ’ experience — even among those who were skeptical of online study , at first — interaction with professors and other students has actually proven greater than in a traditional classroom setting . Online , professors aren ’ t just lecturing ; they ’ re interacting with students . They ’ re responding to their thoughts . They ’ re leading students through group projects done all together as a class or as small groups . They ’ re answering questions . That ' s their job . So , it ' s highly interactive .
We always say , “ You ' re online , but you ' re not alone .”
Advanced education really is for everyone The cost to pursue an advanced degree will always be a concern . But it can be manageable . Our seminary operates on a pay-as-you-go basis ; you only pay for the classes you take . For this reason , we endeavor to remain affordable and accessible to those with the call of God on their lives . And if time constraints are an issue , keep in mind that the pursuit of advanced degrees at our institution was designed with busy adult learners in mind . You can take one class at a time , or you can take six classes a year ; it all depends on when you want to obtain your advanced degree . Moreover , being able to work at your own pace is a major advantage of studying online . Because you ’ re not bound to a traditional classroom setting , you can study at night if that works best . You can study at lunchtime , or in the morning — whenever it ' s most convenient . Today , you have the ability to take your education with you wherever you go .
36 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | NOV / DEC 2022