CHARTING A COURSE
As we navigate our culture’s shift from Christendom to Post-Christendom, one of the most pressing issues we must wrestle with is the nature, purpose, and aim of theological education. What does it mean to train men and women for Kingdom-oriented service and leadership – not in reaction to cultural shifts, but in faithfulness to what God is saying and doing in the midst of them?
The White Paper
A white paper is a type of position paper that takes a survey of a large body of research, offering a thesis, supporting arguments, and a proposed solution to a problem. It is not meant to be a formal research paper, but one that draws broad, general conclusions from the research.
This particular white paper addresses what we find to be among the most fundamental problems facing the world of theological education, articulates what we believe the proper aims of theological education ought to be, proposes principles for guiding us toward those aims, and provides an example of a practical way forward.
This paper is not meant to be a singularly definitive treatment of the issue, only an initial piece meant to frame and catalyze the further conversation, insight, and perspective still needed.
Download the WhitePaper (PDF)
The Missiological Future of Theological Education
This paper was first presented publicly at Northern Seminary on Thursday, October 27, 2011.
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CURRENT & PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
While we believe the aim, format, and content of Learning Communities are incredibly useful in helping teams of leaders to grow personally as well as ministerially, in and of themselves, they are not a replacement for what we think a fuller expression of theological formation ought to entail. This is why we have begun to partner with forward-thinking seminaries and theological schools in the formation of “Scholar Tracks.” As part of a Scholar Track, students get the full benefit of being part of a Learning Community, but their experience will be augmented with seminary-level reading, writing, and other strategically designed assignments.
Depending on your interest, participation in a Scholar Track can result in a seminary-affiliated, Certificate, up to 9 master’s level courses, or the ministry focus portion of a DMin program.*
For those in the Scholar Track, each of the four modules consists of:
• A 4-day, intense immersion experience in the Scholar Track
• A 6-month plan each student contextualizes to their ministry context
• Regular reading and writing assignments along with a final exam
• Weekly 90 minute Huddle conference calls
2. 60 minutes where you are invested in and discipled while also learning how to disciple groups of 4-8 people
3. At the conclusion of each call, students will be able to clearly answer for themselves, “This is what God is currently saying to me and this is what I’m doing about it in the next week.”
Current/Future Student. If you’re a seminary student interested in receiving credit for a Learning Community, please contact us at [email protected].
Seminary Partners. If you’re interested in joining Northern Seminary as a seminary giving academic credit for Learning Communities, please email us at [email protected].
*Seminary credit is currently available exclusively through Northern Seminary.
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