If one does correspondence classes, a great way to do it is if you can find a friend or two to take it with you. You can listen to the lectures together and discuss what you are learning.

It was great to be a classmate with you at the extension in Nashville. I’ve enjoyed your book recommendations.

You are right. Being in ministry simultaneously makes seminary so much better. It keeps you grounded in local church thought, and helps you avoid the tendency to ascend to the ivory tower. I enjoyed my time on campus at Southern, but I believe my education there has been enhanced, not hindered by being in full-time service at the same time.

There are benefits on concurrent ministry/study over time. Relevance to mission, integrating theological reflection and practical leadership and understanding questions real people are asking as you read books and write papers. I remember I got a comment on seminary paper because it was written in voice for normal people and not appropriate for seminary studies. I smiled and was thankful for this.

Anyway, I started at one seminary in 2001 (Southern Evangelical), transferred 12 hours into Southern in 2004 and site at 53 hours complete. God only knows if/how I’ll finish because he keeps giving me work to do out here.

My only regret is not developing a good network of guys who were all heading into pastoral ministry/missions…that can happen on campus or in context more often.

The friends I have met, mentors garnered at Southern have been great – but it is hard to do life with people popping in and out. However, I live the gospel “out here”, and in my opinion, it has been fruitful and fulfilling. Plus, I have read many/most of the books that get assigned at seminary which makes the course work doable amidst my schedule.

Thanks again for the great post
Reid

PS – Online classes at Southern could be more expensive from Southern to dissuade use

Thanks for the additional info on internet courses. That would explain the discrepancy. It also explains why other seminaries are able to offer the online classes at a lower rate.

Great post. Very helpful. As someone who completed my MDiv by using J-Terms, on-campus, and extension centers, I agree with your assessment on those options.

I never did an internet course, but my understanding is that the additional fee is due to the fact that the CP dollars do not cover courses offered via internet. Since the SBTS isn’t reimbursed for those hours, they have to charge the fee to “break even” with those courses.

It seems that online courses should indeed be cheaper. I don’t know for sure why they are so much more expensive at SBTS.

If the idea is to discourage internet classes, then I understand how the cost would make sense. But as a student working hard to finish up requirements, the additional cost that is calculated at the end of the seminary education feels like a slap on the hand for doing whatever must be done to graduate.

That said, I do agree that on-campus and face-to-face learning is by far the better choice. But usually toward the end of your seminary education, your choices run out.

The drawback is the lack of face to face interaction. Like you said, forums help, but there is an aspect of sharing and picking up ideas when you are hanging out over a cup of coffee that can only be had face to face. This could be negated by scheduling and hosting online live seminars or lectures, along with residential gatherings. I think online courses have to work very hard at this.

Personally, I think we are going to see growth in online studies. It is amazing what technology is allowing us to do now.