By J. Michael Shannon
Cincinnati (Ohio) Bible Seminary (www.ccuniversity.edu)
Cincinnati Bible Seminary, the graduate division of Cincinnati Christian University, has been a pioneer for 25 years in nontraditional scheduling. CBS offers an array of options that make it possible for virtually anyone to receive the benefit of ministerial education from a well-qualified, experienced faculty at a regionally and professionally accredited institution. The seminary offers Monday-only classes, Tuesday-only classes and Thursday-night-only classes. The school also offers weeklong intensive classes in the summer and winter. One of the most popular formats is a 2-2-2 class; these are classes that meet two days a week for three consecutive months. Many students who live far from the school find this format best fits their needs.
One of the newest innovations is the Master of Arts (Religion) concentrated schedule. This program allows a student to earn a fully accredited master”s degree with a specialization in Pastoral Leadership by attending class one night a week. Many students, depending on their undergraduate preparation, are able to complete this degree in two years. Ministers who are serving a local church have found this plan convenient to integrate into their work and ministry schedule. Students in a Master of Divinity program may use these classes in that program, as well.
Recently the seminary began offering several extension classes at the Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where senior minister Gary Johnson directs this initiative. Students benefit from a sound and accredited academic program while taking classes in a church that is an excellent model and wonderful laboratory for learning ministry and leadership.
The Association of Theological Schools, the seminary”s primary accrediting association, has approved a full degree program at Indian Creek Church that allows a student to earn the entire MA (Religion) degree with a specialization in Pastoral Leadership at the Indianapolis extension. The school is awaiting final approval from its regional accrediting association to move to full operation of the site. Upon approval, the extension will offer not only the concentrated one-night per week schedule, but classes in several of the convenient formats already available at the Cincinnati site.
Many students are interested in online options. The seminary offers 14 online classes and is adding more each year. A student could take half of his MA (Religion) degree online. These classes run parallel to classes offered in on-campus formats and often feature the same teachers. Church personnel and people outside the United States could make huge progress on a degree in this manner. These classes can be incorporated in an MDiv program.
The school also has started the Russell School of Ministry, a certificate program that allows students to take 12 hours of classes in preaching and leadership for certificate recognition or academic credit. This means a student may take classes for personal enrichment or as part of a degree program. These intensive, weeklong classes meet during winter and summer weeks, and honor the life, ministry, and philosophy of Bob and Judy Russell. Bob will make a guest appearance in each of the classes. The inaugural class, Contemporary Preaching, will be led by Barry McCarty. It is scheduled for January 7-11, 2008.
For those who do not need a degree or academic credit, but would like some practical, spiritual, and intellectual refreshing, the Center for Church Advancement offers one- and two-day seminars covering subjects like preaching, small groups, and small church leadership.
Finally, some students and ministers desire solid ministry preparation but not a graduate degree. CCU offers the CALL program, a degree-completion program with a Bible and ministry emphasis. Many students can complete a bachelor”s degree in two years in a one-night per week format. This program is offered at both the main campus and Indian Creek.
Cincinnati Bible Seminary, along with other schools featured in this issue, is eager to partner with churches to assist them in meeting their changing needs and to respond to the changing face of ministry.
Michael Shannon is dean of Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University.
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