Calvary Baptist Seminary to cease operations in 1 year

For a well articulated statement on how seminaries can assist local churches train her ministers, read this article.

As Dr. Doran mentioned, above, virtual classes allow students to “attend” class, live and in color, from anywhere in the world. They can ask questions and get answers in real time. I recently attended a module on “Crisis Counseling” at Maranatha from my home! Virtual classes are an excellent option for folks who want interaction and to feel like they’re “there” … without having to be “there!”

Maranatha Baptist Seminary, for example, has every single on-campus class in virtual format. That’s how I’m studying Hebrew in a few weeks, in class like all the other students, but sitting in my home with an espresso and wearing slippers. Virtual classes are a good option for seminaries to explore. I’m sure the IT infrastructure cost for upgrades would be substantial, though.

[Jeff Straub]

For a well articulated statement on how seminaries can assist local churches train her ministers, read this article.

The title of the article was flawed. The reasons given lacked biblical support. I expect such thinking from denominations with messed up ecclessiology.

[TylerR] That’s how I’m studying Hebrew in a few weeks, in class like all the other students, but sitting in my home with an espresso and wearing slippers. Virtual classes are a good option for seminaries to explore. I’m sure the IT infrastructure cost for upgrades would be substantial, though.

I had hoped that MBBC had higher standards! :)

That one was just … bad. Even for you!!

[Dave Doran]

It will not be an online program. We are running a pilot program with a view to establishing a few, select remote campuses where students would attend class along with our resident students and profs via a video system. It is a system being used by many (including major) universities and provides full interaction capability between the classrooms.

The personal cost: These men will land on their feet but it must be painful for them.

http://www.cbs.edu/faculty-and-staff/resident-faculty.html

[James K]

Problem: the church isn’t doing the job. Solution: create a program to do the job for the church. How can you seriously say that some pastors don’t have the time to train others? THAT. IS. THEIR. JOB. How can you seriously say that some do not have the ability? THEY. ARE. NOT. QUALIFIED. How can you seriously say that some don’t have the inclination? THEY. ARE. DERELICT. What exactly is that M.Div. worth if you can’t do any of the above? Nothing more than access to a right to be heard I suppose.

There is a substantial difference between our fundamental churches of ~100-200 and the Jerusalem church which was essentially the first mega-church, with at least 5000 (and maybe 20,000 with families) within a few weeks of Pentecost. Additionally, that church had the apostles, and numbers of other men, including the first deacons, that could split up this responsibility. The average fundamental church today does NOT have those resources.

I agree with you that churches should take this on where they can, but in that case, we need to give up the idea, prominent among many fundamental baptists, that when a church gets more than a couple hundred people, it needs to split and start another church. One of the seminaries listed on the other thread, Shepherds Theological Seminary, is essentially the ministry of a single local church in our area, but this church has at least 4000 people and many pastors, and the resources to be able to handle this type of educational challenge. Most churches would not be able to do the required education in a quality way.

This is not to say that no small church could handle the education of pastors properly, but it would be the rare church indeed that had a man who could teach biblical languages, systematic theology, practical ministry, etc., and still have that man have the required time to do all the prayer, study of the word, visitation, counseling, etc., to be an effective pastor. Once you are talking about multiple men, you are either talking about a larger church, charging for tuition to pay the instructor(s), or a labor of love from someone who has other income and doesn’t need teaching income.

It seems to me the reason we have para-church seminaries is precisely because we don’t have churches that are either large enough or band together to handle instruction of new pastors, not to mention many men that are barely qualified to be pastors themselves let alone instructors in all that a well-qualified pastor needs to be.

How was this announcement released? I can’t find any mention of the school closing on its website (www.cbs.edu). Not that I doubt it.

The announcement was released by email to the student body on Wednesday, August 14.

It’s not about the ability to train others. I could if God gave me the ministry teach someone. But, the level of the training I could provide would be at best an English language only Bible Institute certificate.

[dcbii]

[James K]

Problem: the church isn’t doing the job. Solution: create a program to do the job for the church. How can you seriously say that some pastors don’t have the time to train others? THAT. IS. THEIR. JOB. How can you seriously say that some do not have the ability? THEY. ARE. NOT. QUALIFIED. How can you seriously say that some don’t have the inclination? THEY. ARE. DERELICT. What exactly is that M.Div. worth if you can’t do any of the above? Nothing more than access to a right to be heard I suppose.

There is a substantial difference between our fundamental churches of ~100-200 and the Jerusalem church which was essentially the first mega-church, with at least 5000 (and maybe 20,000 with families) within a few weeks of Pentecost. Additionally, that church had the apostles, and numbers of other men, including the first deacons, that could split up this responsibility. The average fundamental church today does NOT have those resources. I agree with you that churches should take this on where they can, but in that case, we need to give up the idea, prominent among many fundamental baptists, that when a church gets more than a couple hundred people, it needs to split and start another church. One of the seminaries listed on the other thread, Shepherds Theological Seminary, is essentially the ministry of a single local church in our area, but this church has at least 4000 people and many pastors, and the resources to be able to handle this type of educational challenge. Most churches would not be able to do the required education in a quality way. This is not to say that no small church could handle the education of pastors properly, but it would be the rare church indeed that had a man who could teach biblical languages, systematic theology, practical ministry, etc., and still have that man have the required time to do all the prayer, study of the word, visitation, counseling, etc., to be an effective pastor. Once you are talking about multiple men, you are either talking about a larger church, charging for tuition to pay the instructor(s), or a labor of love from someone who has other income and doesn’t need teaching income. It seems to me the reason we have para-church seminaries is precisely because we don’t have churches that are either large enough or band together to handle instruction of new pastors, not to mention many men that are barely qualified to be pastors themselves let along instructors in all that a well-qualified pastor needs to be.

[Jonathan Charles]

How was this announcement released? I can’t find any mention of the school closing on its website (www.cbs.edu). Not that I doubt it.

Link at the very top of this thread is the official announcement

http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/20130819/NEWS01/130819561/calv…

Student enrollment, which peaked at approximately 120, is down to around 60 for the 2013-14 year, according to Harbin.

…

[Dr. Sam Harbin, president of the seminary.] said Monday that they implemented several strategies in an attempt to remain open, including new scholarship programs and a new marketing campaign with an emphasis on the internet. “Up until about 10 years ago, we relied on word of mouth to get new students,” said Harbin, also a professor of pastoral theology. According to Harbin, the seminary lacks the financial and personnel resources to offer credits online. “The world of higher education, especially the world of higher theological education, has changed dramatically in recent years,” he said in a phone interview.

…

The seminary’s administrators will work with the current students to make sure as many as possible can graduate next May, according to the letter. The seminary may schedule a special summer session in 2014 to help students complete their degrees, according to Harbin. He said officials from Calvary Baptist Seminary will work out agreements with “several seminaries within driving range” to allow students to finish their studies.

Southwestern has now announced an MDiv completely online. A better accreditation fully online. Central will need to adjust. It is apparent Detroit is at least trying to accommodate the vastly different economic climate.

http://www.swbts.edu/campus-news/news-releases/southwestern-seminary-re…