SPRINGFIELD, MO (Jun. 9, 2010)−Rockbridge Seminary, a fully online seminary that allows students to learn while serving in a ministry role, today announced Seminary Test Drive, a program that targets potential students who are ready to begin their seminary education, but are hesitant about 100 percent online learning. The new program allows a student to register for any course on the schedule and pay only one-half of the regular tuition fees, as long as the student agrees to enroll for the next term, if they are satisfied with their online learning experience.

“We developed the Seminary Test Drive program because we understand that not everyone is ready to jump in and fully commit to e-learning,” explains President Daryl Eldridge. “Through this new program we hope to address those concerns and help these students realize the many benefits and rewards associated with online learning.”

Eldridge says that in his conversations with prospective seminary students he hears questions like: “Will I feel part of a learning community or feel isolated and alone?” “Will I learn as well as I would in a traditional classroom?” “When I need help, will I have the support I need?”

Confident that most Test Drive students will be satisfied with the e-learning experience, Eldridge invites potential seminary students to apply for the Test Drive program. A limited number of Test Drive applicants are selected for the program each 8-week term.

About Rockbridge Seminary

Rockbridge Seminary is a degree-granting institution of higher learning that exists to develop servant leaders for Christian ministry through learning experiences that allow them to study and practice without leaving their ministry field.

The learning experiences provided by Rockbridge Seminary are delivered fully online, based on a curriculum that is designed around the biblical purposes of the church, and guided by ministry competencies.

Rick Warren, Saddleback Church’s senior pastor, calls Rockbridge Seminary the “future of global seminary education.” For additional information, visit www.rockbridgeseminary.org.

About E-Learning

According to a recent study conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group and The Sloan Consortium, online learning continues to grow “at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population.” The study found that “more than one in four higher education students now take at least one course online.” The majority of chief academic officers surveyed in the study affirm that learning outcomes for online learning compared to face-to-face learning is equivalent or superior. For additional information, visit www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/learning_on_demand_sr2010.

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Rockbridge Test Drive students:

1. Take advantage of a “fast track” application process
2. Choose any course in the current term
3. Pay ½ tuition for the test drive course
4. Agree to take a second course the next term if satisfied with the online learning experience

A limited number of applicants are accepted to the Rockbridge Test Drive program each 8-week term. Only persons applying to the Master of Divinity or Master of Ministry Leadership degree programs are considered.Admissions guidelines apply.

Interested in becoming a Test Drive student?

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Christianity Today Magazine recently featured an article about online seminary education. Rockbridge was highlighted as the first online-only seminary utilizing today’s technology to bridge the distances between where students already are in ministry and where seminary education can be delivered.

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Based on this guidance and feedback received from the Academic Council and faculty, the program statements of the MDiv and MML are being revised to the following:

MASTER OF DIVINITY (3 YEAR PROGRAM)

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a professional degree designed for men and women with a bachelor’s degree who serve or desire to serve in such roles as ordained pastor, career missionary, and chaplain. Students develop competencies in Biblical studies, church history, theology, pastoral care, counseling, and preaching/teaching. The curriculum may be completed in three years, although many students take longer due to family, church, and job responsibilities.

MASTER OF MINISTY IN LEADERSHIP (2 YEAR PROGRAM)

The Master of Ministry Leadership (MML) is a professional degree designed for men and women with a bachelor’s degree who serve on a church staff or in other ministry positions and desire to focus on the leadership skills of ministry. The curriculum may be completed in two years, although many students take longer due to family, church, and job responsibilities.  

If you would like to discuss either of these modifications with a Learning Consultant, please email student.advisor@rsconnect.org.

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Spring Break is scheduled April 27, through May 3, 2010. The May term will begin on May 4, 2010.

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Building an Effective Ministry Team (M6405)

• Dropped required textbook Leading the Team-Based Church: How Pastors and Church Staffs Can Grow Together into a Powerful Fellowship of Leaders by George Cladis (Jossey-Bass, 1999)
• Added required textbook Staff your Church for Growth: Building Team Ministry in the 21st Century, Author: Gary L. McIntosh (Baker, 2000)
• Divided “Assessing a Team’s Health Report” assignment into 2 parts
• View pre-term syllabus copy

Personal Counseling Skills (F6404)

• Adjusted reading assignments to be more focused
• Added annotated bibliography assignment requiring students to gather web resources for the top counseling issues on their field of ministry
• Modified role play exercises to give the exercises more structure and clarity
• View pre-term syllabus copy

Created To Learn (D5405)

• Added additional materials and video teaching segments to Unit 3
• Added 2 major assignments that will be more effective in applying the course material to local church ministry: “Writing Instructional Objectives” and “Educational Program Assessment”
• View pre-term syllabus copy

Church History I (D6451)/Church History (D3351)

• Modified the two major assignments to help students strengthen the skill of evaluating ministry programs and issues in light of church history and theology.
• Assignment 1: Write a “Theological Controversy Paper” and draw contemporary lessons on one of 3 topics: Monarchianism, Nestorianism, or Pelagianism.
• Assignment 2: Complete a church program assessment based on church history and theology on one of the following: evangelism/missions program, recovery ministry program, or discipleship program.
• View pre-term syllabus copy of D6451
• View pre-term syllabus copy of D3351

The Theology & Purpose of Ministry (M5401/M1301)

• Divided “Theological Paper on Ministry” assignment into 3 parts.
• Modified focus on Unit 7 forum to include discussion about ordination
• View pre-term syllabus copy of M5401
• View pre-term syllabus copy of M1301

The Theology & Purpose of Discipleship (D5401)

• Added Growing True Disciples by George Barna to the optional reading list
• Divided “Theological Paper on Discipleship” assignment into 3 parts.
• View pre-term syllabus copy

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We are preparing to update our website and want to feature you in your ministry. If you have some quality photos of you in action please email them to the course.support email address found in the left hand sidebar of the student portal.

We need the photos as soon as possible. Thank you for being willing to share your story.

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