Grace Prayer Bulletin # 21
Grace Prayer Bulletin #21
Dear Grace Prayer Ministry Brethren,
I received this from David Denny this last Monday. This fits well into our local church based education series. I would encourage response to David (ddenny9@aol.com) concerning this idea. If you are using any other method of training please feel free to contact me so I may share with other who may be doing something similar.
Thanks,
Rob
Dear Brother Gerard,
At present a small group of men formerly associated with Empire State Baptist Seminary (doctrines of grace) are considering forming an electronic institute (Baptist Institute of Theological Studies) which would assist churches by offering courses and materials via email and the internet. This would also be valuable for missionaries and others who are unable to attend a church-based or other school. Last spring I conducted a survey to see if there was interest in such a school by potential students and faculty. The report of that survey is available at . I would be interested in the reactions and comments of your correspondents to such an idea.
David Denny
Grace Baptist Missions International
This is an edited view of David’s page. For a full view of his page go to the link above. If you are a Juno used, or have no web access, please feel free to email me and I have a copy and would be glad to send you a text version.
ETE SURVEY RESULTS
This page is a report to all interested persons of a survey conducted from January to March, 1998. The purpose of the survey was to determine the feasibility of creating an Electronic School of Theology (ETE). This report was prepared by David Denny, Ed.D. Contact him at with comments or for further information.
Background of the survey
A composed of Baptist pastors and laymen, meeting in Novelty, Ohio at the conclusion of the annual conference in August of 1997, decided to explore the possibility of creating an ETE school.
What is being proposed
Electronic Theological Education (ETE) in which students and faculty would communicate via email and the internet. Three levels of communication are possible: (1) just email; (2) internet resources and email; (3) internet, email, live audio and video. Faculty and students could be located anywhere in the world. Mentoring by pastors of associated churches would be included for students in that church.
What degrees would be granted?
Once faculty have been identified and the quality of the courses established, the school would be linked with an approved school to grant associate, bachelor and graduate degrees.
This is already being done- why establish another school?
We are proposing a school which would be Baptist, doctrines of grace, dispensational, pre-millennial, pre-tribulational, local church, separatist, and fundamental. The school would be designed to help local Baptist churches prepare people from their churches for ministry and missionary service.
General Response is favorable. Although there are disadvantages recognized by both students and faculty/pastors, 93%* were favorable (all 17 students and 26 of 29 pastors/faculty). The widespread geographic location of both faculty and students suggests the potential of ETE to utilize qualified faculty to teach students which would not be possible in the traditional school limited by geographic location. More students have email (64%) and internet (47%) capability than faculty (56% and 31%) but the differences are small and almost all would be willing to obtain necessary capability to enroll or teach. While students rate themselves slightly higher in expertise in sending and receiving email and using the internet, there is no significant difference in expertise in creating web pages and using real time audio and video. Both students and faculty lack expertise in these areas. Only one respondent of the total (both faculty and students) had ever taken an electronic course before. His response was favorable.
Faculty
Qualifications- 58% (10, 4 doctorates, 6 masters) hold graduate degrees. Three hold bachelor's degrees. Of the 25 course categories listed, respondents checked 20 they would be willing to prepare and teach. Biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek) may be courses which will require special consideration for ETE study. Only 3 of the 17 potential faculty indicated a dollar amount they would require to prepare and teach a course. This amount ranged from $3,000 to $100. Others said this would depend on the work required or that they would be willing to accept whatever the committee could pay them.
Pastor's Comments
In addition to the 16 potential faculty, 13 pastors responded with comments which were tabulated as favorable, unfavorable or other concern.
Favorable - 8
Would like to set up classes at the church, 2-5 students at a time. As pastor would help, mentor, etc. Would use it as a local church discipleship tool for training teachers, deacons, leaders, etc.
Unfavorable- 2
Would not recommend an electronic school to a young person. Believe personal contact with men of God who share experiences are an essential part of education.
Negative because of the lack of personal contact
Other Concerns- 3
The committee said the school would be controlled by local churches, but the questionnaire was sent out from the committee, not a group of churches.
Don't feel qualified as an instructor
Undecided on desirability of ETE
Reservations about lack of personal contact and pastor-mentors in ETE education
The men in my church would be interested in a video course they could all take at one time with the pastor as mentor. Not much interest in email courses at this time.
Students
The most frequently listed goals for taking an ETE course were:
initial studies to prepare to be a pastor or missionary (6) further study presently a pastor/missionary (4)
Most frequently listed advantage for taking an ETE course were:
flexible use of time and reduced travel (6) being able to continue to work in the local church or job while getting a degree (5) lower cost (4)
Most frequently listed disadvantage for taking an ETE course were:
none or no answer (9); lack of face to face interaction with faculty and students (4)
The three most important things looked for when deciding to enroll in a course of theological studies:
1st.- doctrinal position 2nd.- instructor training and expertise 3rd.- background and knowledge of the instructor Lack of interaction with a pastor or professor was a concern for some pastors who did not approve of ETE. Having a local church pastor/mentor was also a concern of 8 of the students.
Students were willing to pay from $25.00 to $100.00 per credit hour for an ETE course. The median amount was $50.00. The average student would take 2 courses at one time. Factors influencing students' willingness to pay tuition for an ETE course were: most important- course quality and unique course content such as doctrines of grace position not available in many schools) less important- graduate degrees held by the instructor and affiliation with a degree granting college or seminary Members
David Denny, Ed.D. Committee chairman Committee Members: Herb Taylor, Evangelist, Beach Creek, PA; Charles Preuss, Syracuse, NY and former missionary; Pastor David Denny, Caldwell, OH; Dr. Charles Metzger, Warrensburg, NY, former president ESBS; Pastor John Mitchell, Jr. Syracuse, NY; Pastor Thomas A. Thomas, Scranton, PA; Pastor Ken Byrd, Meadville, PA.
Grace Baptist Fellowship
This is a fellowship of churches which meets once a year for fellowship and sharing the Word of God. It is Baptist, separatist, doctrines of grace, dispensational , pre-trib pre-mil rapture in position. to see a schedule for the 1998 conference (August 11-13) and obtain directions to Mt. Vision or write or call , Bible Baptist Church, PO Box 606, Mt. Vision, NY 13810 (607) 432-3676.
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