You may have heard me talk a lot about Clemson on my blog and my Twitter feed. What you may not know is that we also have Anderson University just down the road from us. In recent weeks, I’ve been in conversation with Michael Duduit, the new dean of Anderson’s newly created Graduate School of Christian Ministry. He’s been keeping me updated on their Master of Ministry degree program that will launch next August.
Here’s what intrigues me about the new program. It’s going to take about half the time to complete compared to a typical M.Div. program. In addition to providing a foundation in biblical and theological studies, there will be a heavy emphasis on the practical leadership challenges that all of us face in ministry. Michael is lining up leaders who are in the trenches serving in churches to teach and facilitate learning environments. Additionally, the University is committed to flexible alternatives so that future ministry leaders can engage in the program in a variety of ways including an Internet option possibly as soon as 2010.
Why am I so interested in the program? I’m excited about the possibility of those future ministry leaders who decide to attend Anderson University and pursue this degree could also potentially land at NewSpring. We will have many volunteer leadership opportunities as our ministry grows. Additionally, we’re obviously looking for quality candidates to apply for our paid internship program. Sharp, gifted leaders will have the chance to pursue their education, serve at NewSpring and potentially make a little money (okay…very little money) on the side. You can’t beat that!
So, here’s how you can help. Michael asked me to ask you for input. If you have a second, leave a comment or email me with responses to any or all of these questions:
- How would you design the coursework to best prepare students for ministry?
- If you could hand-select your future “professors,” who would want to learn from?
- If you are interested in the program, would you prefer being a resident here in Anderson, attending a regional campus or attending online?
- What other feedback do you have?
Thanks for your input. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months. And, more importantly, if you know of prospective students for this new program, send them to the AU website and tell them to keep this opportunity on their radar.
Put them in some Management courses. I’ve learned from my experience of being a Business Management major, and doing the internship at NewSpring and getting to see first hand what you guys do….that management skills are essential to doing ministry. A lot of business practices can be integrated into ministry, the strategies of ministry and the leadership that is required.
1. How would you design the coursework to best prepare students for ministry?
I am currently attending Bethany University in their Church Leadership BA program. For my core classes, my instructor has us write personal response papers to the material that we read and discussed in class. Of all that classes that I have taken here, it was those core classes that challenged me the most because we students had to think for ourselves and not just summarize the book. I will always remember what I learned in those classes because of those personal response papers.
2. If you could hand-select your future “professors,” who would want to learn from?
I would want to learn from both seasoned and beginning pastors from different backgrounds and denominations. Each person will bring new insight and experience to the way that the ministry has changed and is changing in their lifetimes.
3. If you are interested in the program, would you prefer being a resident here in Anderson, attending a regional campus or attending online?
I think that all three would be very beneficial. I live in California and I am greatly appreciative of the campuses that offer online coursework. Regional courses are wonderful for the school to branch out and expand beyond their current fixed place. On campus is great cause it grows the campus.
4. What other feedback do you have?
As the Body of Christ, we need to grow together. Earlier I stated that instructors from different denominations should be considered. I say that because there are no denominations in heaven. I understand that the school is affiliated with the SBC, but the ministry is affiliated with God. People with different denominational backgrounds can offer a wide variety of sources that are very beneficial for students in our current age.
I love the idea T-Mo… i’d be interested in seeing how AU can move from their established legacy as a strong traditional style Baptist institution and really embrace the future of internet and technology…
If they set this thing up right (learning from the history of others, leveraging their mistakes) They could possibly set something up that is world class— Bi-Vocational professors who are out there already doing the ministry—
in this vein of thinking “What are you doing that no one else is doing to reach who no one else is reaching…” -There are plenty of traditional universities and seminaries out there teaching theory… HOW ABOUT A SCHOOL THAT LEVERAGES TECHNOLOGY TO RESOURCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERSHIP… AU could develop a niche all their own… im pumped for them!
I guess that works if the students aren’t wanting to go into something where an MDiv is usually desired. Being that it is half the credits, there is much that the students will lose out on.
I do agree with the first comment, management courses are lacking in seminaries and too many pastors got an undergrad degree in theology or bible and then got an MDiv. They are then charged with running a church and they have zero education on management. That is scary!
I think an internet option will be a great asset as many people will not be able to leave their current job to go back to school.
I would think management courses on budgeting, managing volunteers & staff, hiring, firing, etc. would all be important. Many pastors won’t start with a huge staff and will need to know basics of employment law if they intend grow and add employees.
Systems, strategy & vision will all be important as will professors from varying backgrounds, church sizes, etc. And I will add the prof’s that taught me the most were actually laboring not just teaching.
Technology is so specific and changes so rapidly I think a class on this would probably be a waste. That would need outsourcing anyway. Just a thought.
Sounds like a great program. As for resources-definitely recommend the Simply Strategic books, Confessions of a Pastor, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Church Unique, The Dip.
As for professors-Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors, Strategic Staff from cutting edge churches. It would be really cool to have them and their staff teach a class/section etc.
NewSpring has a paid internship?
Tony…
I think that it would be important to see professors that have stood the test of time and have been faithful for decades, as well as professors who are relevant to present day ministry. I would love to see theology classes anchored by an older seasoned professor, but then fly in, or camera chat in lead pastors who know how to translate the theology these kids are learning so that the people in their churches can understand it. It would be incredible to have 6-10 different relevant pastors stop in through a semester’s class. One of the largest disconnect in seminary is the head learning and the real world. It would be important to me to find ways to connect the two.