April 20, 2009 | By Gary D. Myers
NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved a new distance learning track in the master of divinity program and other initiatives designed to make theological education more accessible to God-called men and women throughout the world.
During the April 15 meeting, the trustees approved a new distance learning M.Div. track that essentially makes the seminary's Online Learning Center an extension center. The result is a fully-accredited master of divinity degree program that requires only 30 hours of on-campus credit. The rest of the course work may be taken through internet course or a combination of internet and extension center courses.
"If you look at the numbers, the Online Learning Center would already be one of our larger extension centers," said NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke. "In some ways (viewing the internet as an extension center) is a very small step. It's just adding a few more internet courses."
In other ways, the distance learning M.Div. is a significant innovation, Lemke said. The plan opens a path to accredited, master's-level, theological education to people in regions of the country and the world that are not served by a Southern Baptist seminary.
The seminary currently has 45 hours of master's-level course work available online. Lemke said that the Online Learning Center is working to develop at least five additional online courses over the next few years to make a total of 60 hours of internet training available.
Trustee also approved seven new certificate training programs - six on the graduate level and one on the undergraduate level.
The graduate certificates included specialized training programs in missions, biblical preaching, bivocational ministry, church planting and basic and advanced certificates in Islamic studies. The undergraduate certificate is a Florida-based program focused on student ministry.
The seminary's certificate programs are designed to equip students in selected areas of ministry who are called to serve as pastors, staff members, worship leaders, or missionaries. Certificate training is also open to lay leaders serving local churches, ministries or denominational organizations. Many of the courses are fully transferable into the seminary's degree programs if a student decides to seek further training.
Each of the graduate certificates require 12-17 hours of coursework with exception of the advanced graduate certificate in Islamic studies which requires 12 additional hours of credit. The student ministry certificate requires eight hours of training.
"We have received significant interest from persons who want specialized training in a specific area of interest, rather than a longer and broader general theological degree, said Steve Lemke, seminary provost. "These certificates provide this focused specialized training. Of course, we hope that some students who complete a certificate will continue on and earn a full degree."
Trustees also approved an additional certificate training site. First Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Miss., received the board's approval to offer certificate in biblical ministry training. The certificate in biblical training offers Sunday school teachers, lay leaders and bivocational ministers with basic training in biblical literacy and doctrinal foundations. Students are also given the chance to develop practical ministry skills.
During the meeting, the trustees approved an $18.1 million budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. Trustees commended Clay Corvin, vice president of business affairs at NOBTS, for his diligent work in the face of the world-wide economic downturn.
Craig Campbell, an insurance agent from Russellville, Ark., was elected to serve as the chairman of the NOBTS board of trustees. Campbell served the past two years as vice chairman of the board. David Cranford was named as the board's vice chairman. He serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, La. Hattiesburg, Miss. businessman Phil Hanberry was reelected to another term as secretary.
The board also approved eight faculty rank promotions and granted tenure to four professors. The following professors received rank promotions:
* Jack Allen is now associate professor of church planting. He is the director of the Cecil B. Day Center for Church Planting and the seminary Nehemiah Project professor;
* Allen England is now associate professor of church and educational administration;
* Jeff D. Griffin is now associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. He also serves as dean of libraries at NOBTS;
* Rick Morton is now associate professor of Christian education, ministry-based faculty;
* Jeff Nave is now associate professor of psychology and counseling. He also serves as director of testing and counseling at NOBTS;
* Donna B. Peavey is now associate professor of Christian education in Leavell College;
* Loretta G. Rivers is now associate professor of social work;
* Reggie Ogea is now professor of leadership and pastoral ministry. He also serves as associate dean of professional doctoral programs.
Allen, England, Griffin and Nave also were granted tenure.
The trustees also activated the new Robert Hamblin Chair of New Testament Exposition, in honor of Robert Hamblin, a retired NOBTS evangelism professor, pastor, and vice-president for evangelism at the then-named Home Mission Board of the SBC.
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