Comments on: Something I’ve Been Working On

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:30:14 +0000

Yes, that’s a decent discussion. I agree with the one guy who says how not to train a pastor. It seem more and more folks are realizing the limitations traditional seminaries present.

By: theologian

theologian — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:12:23 +0000

Thank you David, i really appreciate that. Our goal is truly to serve Christ and His Kingdom.

There is also an interesting conversation over on puritanboard in response to an anti-online seminary article by Dr. Clark…
http://www.puritanboard.com/showthread.php?t=19695

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:07:46 +0000

I don’t mean to imply I’m speaking for you, but I applaud your efforts to break out of the mold of a seminary system which seems to have, in many ways, failed to produce a great number of strong godly men. I’m not saying some aren’t produced, by I am suggesting only a fraction of the men in seminary today actually belong there.

By: theologian

theologian — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:43:51 +0000

David,

That is certainly one of the things we are going for.

By: David McCrory

David McCrory — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:40:36 +0000

As one who feels strongly about ministers not being “transplants” into churches and communities, I believe men should be equipped academically yet be and established member in the community or church they seek to minister to. It takes years to establish relationships in which real pastoring and ministering can take place. Yet, the average pastor usually sticks around 3-5 years and leave before the real work begins.

My point is, just because a man has a piece of paper from a seminary doesn’t make him qualified to undershepard God’s flock. Often times, the biblical qualifications for eldership are set aside or overlooked as long as a man meets certain academic goals. I think what Larry is trying to do is equip godly men, who are recognized as biblically qualifed leaders, with the resources necessary to effectively minister where they are.

By: theologian

theologian — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:09:20 +0000

Granted, the classroom experience can’t be duplicated. But our goal is not to duplicate the classroom experience, it is to produce ministers. One of the things we will be doing is utilizing discussion boards, chat rooms, and video conferencing for interaction between students and professors. Another thing we are planning to do is establish mentors with students from their own area. So i don’t think that your point of no “give and take” is applicable here.

Perhaps you could be specific as to what one of our graduates would be missing that a brick and mortar graduate would not??

I would not feel comfortable if my M.D. earned his doctorate online, but i have no problem with folks outside of the medical field doing so…such as teachers. And, of course, we are not speaking of the medical field.

I feel that online schooling in theological fields has worked. RTS has a thriving online program as do many other seminaries.

If there are going to be things that must be done “hands-on” then we can utilize the student’s church and his mentor.

I respect your point of view and would recommend that your church stay away from giving pastors jobs who have graduated from online seminaries if you feel so strongly about it. But our goal is to move forward and get official approval from some denominations (like the PCA) to approve our curriculum and our students as minister material.

By: G.L.W.Johnson

G.L.W.Johnson — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:23:31 +0000

At the risk of be coming ‘persona non gratia’ on this blog, allow me to play the devil’s advocate. I can see the value of such a program for laymen and perhaps for pastors doing some additional research studies and the like, but an entire on-line seminary education has serious draw backs.The class room experience cannot be duplicated on-line. The give and take with the professor and fellow students, which is so valuable, is missing. The seminary community is another item that, as I look back on my own seminary days at three different institutions, contributed greatly to my training.I doubt if anyone would feel really comfortable to discover that their doctor ( especially a surgeon!) earned their medical degree entirely on-line ( not to mention the obvious fact that the American Medical Association would never accredit such a school, and for good reason). As I suggested there is a place for the kind of study you are proposing, but personally, it should not replace the tradition model nor should it be granting degrees, especailly the M.A.and M.Div.

By: theologian

theologian — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:06:04 +0000

A few reasons…It is entirely online, seeks to train ministers, and is a very good price.

To compare… Reformed Theological Seminary has an online option, but they don’t offer the M.Div. through it from what i understand. Plus, they are over $300/credit hour.

By: G.L.W.Johnson

G.L.W.Johnson — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:40:47 +0000

I don’t mean to throw a wet blanket over all the hard work that this ambitous project requires, but why do we need another Reformed seminary like the one you are proposing?

By: theologian

theologian — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 20:20:38 +0000

Thank you Daniel.