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In addition to the wide variety of educational opportunities available on the
South Hamilton campus, the Seminary makes it possible for students to take advantage
of other unique learning experiences in various locations. The programs described
below are usually focused on specific areas and are designed to meet special
interests and needs. Choose from National or International Study opportunities.
Appalachian Ministries Educational Resources Center (AMERC)
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a member of the AMERC consortium. AMERC
provides specialized training for students preparing for ministry in the Appalachian
Church and other small town and rural congregations. AMERC offers both traditional
seminary courses and immersion programs.
Contact the Academic Dean's Office for further information.
Armed Forces Chaplain Candidate Program
The Armed Forces Chaplain Candidate Program offers ministry opportunities that
are uniquely challenging and unheard of in civilian contexts. Chaplains in the
military minister to soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and their familes. Chaplains
have the opportunity to pastor, shepherd, and mentor as the military spiritual
leader, using the Word of God to comfort, instruct, and guide each person in
their personal walks of faith.
Full-time students will have the opportunity to participate in the Chaplain Candidate Program for either the U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force. Students who enroll in this program will be commissioned as an officer with the armed forces in the reserve. The Chaplain Candidate Program also provides tuition assistance towards seminary education along with many other benefits.
For more information, access the Chaplain Candidate Program for the various
branches of the armed forces.
| - | Army Chaplain Corps |
| - | Navy Chaplain Corps |
| - | Air Force Chaplain Service |
Boston
Theological Institute (BTI)
The Seminary is a full member in a consortium of the nine major theological
schools in the Boston area. These institutions include in addition to Gordon-Conwell:
Andover Newton Theological School, Boston College Department of Theology, Boston
University School of Theology, Episcopal Divinity School, Harvard Divinity School,
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary, Saint John's Seminary, and Weston School
of Theology. Students may take selected courses at these member schools. Cross
registration is arranged through the Gordon-Conwell Registration Office and
such courses must be completed within the time limits as stated for each course.
(In any given semester a student must register for at least half of his
or her coursework at Gordon-Conwell. BTI cross registration procedures are not
followed during the summer. At that time of year, students must register directly
at the BTI school involved.
The library facilities of all member institutions are open to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary students. Also major lectureships and interdisciplinary conferences at each campus are open to the other member schools.
Center
for Advent Christian Studies
Students preparing for ministry within the Advent Christian denomination
are eligible to enroll in the Center for Advent Christian Studies at Gordon-Conwell.
This center offers a program of studies covering Advent Christian history,
theological distinctives and denominational standards within the framework
of Gordon-Conwell's degree requirements and curriculum design. Students
in any Gordon-Conwell degree program are eligible for Admission. The director
of the Center for Advent Christian Studies serves as advisor and mentor
to its students.
Operation of the center is underwritten by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Christian College to encourage Advent Christian students to undertake ministerial training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Several scholarships for partial tuition are available annually to qualifying students. Center students also have access to the Linden J. Carter Collection of Millerite and Adventual Materials, currently housed in the Goddard Library. This special research library includes rare historical items.
The Center
for Urban Ministerial Education;
At the Boston campus courses are offered for the in-service training of
both Spanish and English speaking pastors and church leaders of the greater
Boston area. With over 20 distinct nationalities represented in CUME's
program, courses are also offered in French (for Haitians) and Portuguese.
CUME's chief objective is to help equip urban pastors and church leaders
for more effective ministry and outreach in their communities. CUME has
also served in a support capacity by providing resources, ministerial
fellowship and stimulation for cross-denominational endeavors to evangelism
and church growth.
The Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Urban Ministry, Master of Arts in Youth Ministries and Doctor of Ministry degrees are offered in Boston, as well as the Urban Ministries Track described in the degree program section. A Boston campus catalog is available from the CUME office in Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Gordon-Conwell
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Gordon-Conwell in Charlotte, North Carolina is a branch campus of the
Seminary in the southeastern area of the country. Based on an adult learning
model, where students take responsibility for their learning through learning
covenants developed in concert with professors and mentors, the Charlotte campus
offers the following degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological
Studies, Christian Counseling, Old Testament, New Testament, Biblical Studies,
Christian Thought, and Religion and the Doctor of Ministry degree programs.
The programs are ideally suited for those engaged in ministry.
Coalition
for Christian Outreach
Through its Ockenga Institute, the Seminary has a cooperative extension
program offering graduate-level credit courses in Pittsburgh, PA for the
Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). In coordination with the CCO's
staff training programs, these courses provide opportunities for academic
reflection upon the issues of college ministry and for the initial foundation
of a seminary education.
Offering a curriculum that combines courses specifically designed for campus ministry along with the general requirements of a seminary education gives the students an invaluable experience. Students, while participating in an active ministry to college students, have the possibility of completing nearly one-third of their seminary education. Such combined ministry and educational experiences have proven to be the foundation that makes extension education a unique form of institutional education. Students are then able to finish their seminary education and are better prepared to contribute both to the seminary community and finally, the church.
More information about these opportunities can be obtained directly from CCO or from the Ockenga Institute Office.
Distance Education: Semlink Program
Semlink is the distance education learning program offered by Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary. It is a web-based distance learning program which allows
you to study at your own pace - when and where it is most convenient for you.
Semlink course materials consist of CD-ROM or an Educational Packet (audiocassettes
and notebook). The course materials contain audio lectures and a study guide
with lecture outlines, study questions and a bibliography for further reading.
These resources are complemented by Semlink Online - the companion website that
provides resources for formation, and allows significant interaction among students
and between students and instructors.
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)
Through a cooperative program with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, staff
with IVCF may take a limited number of courses for M.Div. or MAR credit at the
seminary through InterVarsity's National Institute for Staff Education and Training.
Contact the Admissions Office for more information.
Ockenga
Institute
In January 1985, the trustees of Gordon-Conwell voted to establish an
institute to honor the late first president of the Seminary. In the pulpit
or the classroom, Dr. Harold John Ockenga consistently communicated the
need to have all life informed about and all of life shaped by biblical
principles. Dr. Ockenga, as a major force in 20th century Evangelicalism,
was motivated by twin concerns for church renewal and world evangelization.
The Institute extends these concerns through its programs.
To fulfill its mandate as part of the Seminary, the Ockenga Institute currently conducts educational programs through two centers: the Shoemaker Center for Church Renewal and the J. Christy Wilson Jr. Center for World Missions. The Institute staff develops courses, seminars, conferences and research activities involving scholars and practitioners from many fields. Both credit and noncredit opportunities for study are available through the Ockenga Institute. Educational events take place at the Seminary's South Hamilton, Massachusetts campus and at other selected locations.
National Capital Semester for Seminarians (NCSS)
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is a participating seminary in the National
Capital Semester for Seminarians sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary
in Washington, DC. Elective Course Work (three to six hours, optional).
Participating studentsmay choose to take other courses. One academic year
of seminary work is a prerequisite. The program provides a full semester
(Spring only) of academic credit, organized as follows:
1. Interaction/Reflection Seminar: As the core course in the NCSS program, this seminar addresses an array of topics including faith and politics, domestic and international policy, and the role of the church. (4 semester credit hours.)
2. An Independent Research Project designed to give the student greater depth or understanding of a selected public policy issue (three hours, optional).
3. The Social Ethics Internship with Washington agency or ministry (three hours, optional).
4. Elective course work (three to six hours, optional.)
All NCSS students are charged tuition at Wesley Seminary's current rates. Students pay the tuition to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Housing and meal costs are paid directly to Wesley Seminary at its current rates. Students bear their own costs for books, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. Application deadline is October 31. See the Academic Dean's Office if interested.
Rural Ministry Program
Gordon-Conwell is a charter participating member of the Rural Ministry Program
of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque,
Iowa, specializing in understanding and ministry in the rural culture. A special
course in rural ministry is offered each January in Dubuque. Application
deadline is October 31. See the Academic Dean's Office if interested.
Wycliffe Summer Institute of Linguistics
Students may also receive transfer credit for Wycliffe Summer Institute
of Linguistics graduate level coursework at various campuses. However, these
courses count as electives or as courses for concentration in world missions
and evangelism. Contact the Director of Missions Programs for more information.
Students who desire transfer credit should consult the registrar before enrolling in these courses.
Additional information may be obtained from the office of the registrar or by writing the United States Office of the Jerusalem University College, 4249 East State Street, Suite 203, Rockford, IL 61108-2045; 1.800.891.9408, www.juc.edu.
International Education
The seminary is supportive of students studying abroad as a way of enhancing
a global perspective on theology and ministry. Faculty from Gordon-Conwell
frequently teach abroad in helping to fulfill the school's mission to enrich
Christ's global church. Students who desire to take classes at an international
school for the transfer credit to Gordon-Conwell must receive approval from
the Registration Office before enrolling.
Overseas
Missions Practicum
The Overseas Missions Practicum (OMP) seeks to challenge the student in the
areas of servanthood, team and cross-cultural ministry, spiritual formation
and global vision applied to the local church. These goals are addressed in
WM 720 where lectures, discussion, group participation and media presentations
serve to stimulate interaction among all participants.
These goals are then pursued in the particular areas of ministry during the WM 721 course. The field experience gives the theoretical its needed practical application. Here the student learns from the team, local Christians, the wider society and by serving others, which often results in lifelong lessons that are applicable to future ministries at home or abroad.
With special permission, the OMP courses may be applied toward the M.Div. requirements in missions. The student may also opt for one year of Supervised Ministry credit in place of WM 721 course credit. This opportunity is only available during the summer session projects. Contact the Director of Missions Programs for more information.
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