BGCT, Richmond seminary offer online classes for ministers of small churches_90604

Posted: 9/03/04

BGCT, Richmond seminary offer online
classes for ministers of small churches

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

BELTON–The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond is partnering with the Baptist General Convention of Texas bivocational/smaller membership church development office to offer specialized online classes tailored for ministers of small churches.

This fall, the seminary will offer courses on the biblical foundation for bivocational ministry, an introduction to team building and leadership, as well as social dynamics in ministry as the initial classes in a certificate program. Experienced Texas Baptist bivocational ministers will facilitate each online course.

Kim Siegenthaler, program coordinator for the seminary's school of Christian ministry, said the classes are an effort to meet small-church ministers' desire for theological education without giving up their pastorates.

The program allows ministers to become better equipped for God-given tasks at their own pace, Siegenthaler added. Students can work around their schedule in doing homework and studying.

Bob Ray, director of BGCT bivocational/smaller church development, said the courses will be contextualized to Texas bivocational ministry as the teachers draw on their years of bivocational experience.

The partnership is the latest cooperative effort between the seminary and Texas Baptists. The school also is working with the Baptist University of the Americas to produce an online Hispanic certificate program and with the Texas Baptist Laity Institute to develop online courses designed to equip laypeople.

All three programs are part of the seminary's vision of taking training to congregations, not relying on churches to send members and leaders to the school, Siegenthaler said.

For more information, visit www.btsr.edu.