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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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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As I’m in a new church now and still getting acclimated, I’ll take the liberty to use Rockbridge as an example, also in hopes that Dr. Eldridge and other students can tell me if I’m making sense or not!

I think that in today’s world where everything is available at the click of a mouse, where distribution logistics of a DVD player made in Asia can be completely controlled by a pre-teen in Idaho, those at the traditional base of an organization’s pyramid need to be empowered and filled with organizational vision. Customers are more readily in contact with diverse areas of an organization. No longer is there one simple 800 number for customer complaints. Now you can call most large churches and be waltzed through a number of menu options and departments to get you right to the nitty gritty.

Chains of command are being ruptured and what used to be following Point A – B – C – D to arrive at E, is now AE merged together. In today’s world of proclaiming the Gospel through churches or selling titanium heavywares manufactured in New Jersey to Brazilian petrochemical customers requires that everyone wearing the organizational “logo” live their organization’s mission, vision and values. The days of passing the buck seem to be dying.

At Rockbridge, I see myself at the traditional base, not so much as a customer, but as a student according to the diagram. But the difference is that instead of paying, learning and leaving, I feel empowered and motivated to make the sale as well. Rockbridge’s mission, vision and values are easily recognizable and explainable. And it seems that Rockbridge’s leadership wants everyone involved, from faculty to students, to feel like valued members of the organization. I find myself sending site links to friends for encouragement as well as information to prospective students or gifted leaders who I know would enjoy and benefit from, for example, the MML program.

I believe that this is because the pyramid has been turned upside down so that everyone is in tune with and has ownership in the vitality of the organization. Information about anything from the accreditation process to daily counseling on learning plans is easily accessible. There doesn’t seem to be too much red tape and risk in misrepresenting what Rockbridge stands for. If you ask me to encapsulate my alma mater’s vision, I don’t know where to begin, and coming from someone who loves to talk and write (too much!) I get tongue-tied.

Based on the reality of today’s global, internet world of business and academics, Rockbridge is thriving by getting its message in the hands of its students and faculty, who altogether have the potential to reach countless numbers of potential customers/students.

OK, I feel like I just did a promo. You guys hiring? lol

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“It was the first time I heard a pastor talking to me, not at me,” said Giraldin, who was raised Catholic but left the church at 16. Continue reading the news about Pat.

On August 21, 2009 Pastor Kerry Mackey contacted Pat to see what God was doing in his life. After sharing the vision with Kerry, Pat learned that Kerry not minutes earlier had been challenged by his mentor Dr. Daryl Eldridge (Rockbridge Seminary) to consider planting a church. Pat and Kerry began praying daily for God’s direction and timing of next steps. Since that date, God has given many signs to both Pat and Kerry as well as their wives and others that they have…Continue reading the news from Kerry.

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Rockbridge Seminary Professor Randy Millwood made a video to introduce Rockbridge to the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware.

Awesome video Dr. Millwood! Thanks!

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