CTS Distance Ed Trains People in Motion
Covenant Seminary recently bolstered its distance education program for the fall. Now, students of the seminary can complete the entire Masters of Arts: Theological Studies (MATS), one-half of the Masters of Arts Educational Ministries (MAEM), and one-third of the Master of Divinity (MDiv) through distance education. Director of Alumni Relations Joel Hathaway shares the seminary’s vision: “We want to see pastors trained to minister in every context, ‘as far as the curse is found.’” And for a community of pastors increasingly far-flung, this ministry demands distance training and support.
In 2006 Covenant was the first Reformed theological institution to offer the entirety of its Masters of Arts: Theological Studies courses for free use online. Since then the Seminary has realized its expanding worldwide audience, and is working to provide even more training for people unable to attend the physical campus.
But Hathaway assures long-distance students that they are getting the real deal. All distance courses at the Seminary are current with on-campus programs. Students will find no cancelled or outdated classes online. And the Seminary is working to make the training interactive. In addition to traditional audio and video formats, the distance education program requires regular group discussion with on-campus students and advisors, and constant interaction with faculty.
Hathaway recognizes that at a certain point, online courses fall short of one mark. “E-mail, video streaming, MP3s, and PDFs can never satisfy the need to see faith and theology relationally applied in community.” While these outlets supply needed accessibility, Covenant will continue to rely on the power of physical community to grow in grace.
“We are convinced,” Hathaway says, “that ministry preparation is as much relational as it is informational.” The community of grace will continue to require shared learning and personal sacrifices. Set conditions ensure that the school will continue to work as a community. The full MATS program requires three one-week, on-campus residencies during the course of study. The other programs—MAEM and MDiv—offer only partial course loads.
The distance education program is shaped directly by the school’s philosophy of ministry preparation. Covenant believes in the theological concept of “movement” found in the Bible. Says Hathaway, “From Abram’s call to leave home to the dispersion of Christians at the Pentecost, God’s kingdom work spreads as His people obey the Genesis command to ‘fill the earth.’”
For Covenant this means extending its training’s influence far and wide. The Seminary wants to serve ministry families who will be willing to enter alien lands and preach the gospel to unfamiliar people. It wants to be available to people who move in mission. The Seminary realizes that such students will enter the ministry more willing to leave house and home, pare down, and move in kingdom work.
One in four graduates of the seminary move on to plant churches within eight years of graduation. And these graduates are committed to the ministry. Less than 10 percent of Covenant graduates leave the ministry in their first five years out (compared to a national average of 30 percent). And despite the recent economic downturn and the increasing struggle to popularize ministry preparation, enrollment continues only to increase for Covenant
Hathaway recognizes that at a certain point, online courses fall short of one mark. “E-mail, video streaming, MP3s, and PDFs can never satisfy the need to see faith and theology relationally applied in community.” While these outlets supply needed accessibility, Covenant will continue to rely on the power of physical community to grow in grace.
“We are convinced,” Hathaway says, “that ministry preparation is as much relational as it is informational.” The community of grace will continue to require shared learning and personal sacrifices. Set conditions ensure that the school will continue to work as a community. The full MATS program requires three one-week, on-campus residencies during the course of study. The other programs—MAEM and MDiv—offer only partial course loads.
The distance education program is shaped directly by the school’s philosophy of ministry preparation. Covenant believes in the theological concept of “movement” found in the Bible. Says Hathaway, “From Abram’s call to leave home to the dispersion of Christians at the Pentecost, God’s kingdom work spreads as His people obey the Genesis command to ‘fill the earth.’”
For Covenant this means extending its training’s influence far and wide. The Seminary wants to serve ministry families who will be willing to enter alien lands and preach the gospel to unfamiliar people. It wants to be available to people who move in mission. The Seminary realizes that such students will enter the ministry more willing to leave house and home, pare down, and move in kingdom work.
One in four graduates of the seminary move on to plant churches within eight years of graduation. And these graduates are committed to the ministry. Less than 10 percent of Covenant graduates leave the ministry in their first five years out (compared to a national average of 30 percent). And despite the recent economic downturn and the increasing struggle to popularize ministry preparation, enrollment continues only to increase for Covenant
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