My students at Rockbridge Seminary (an online seminary where I teach) reminded me through their postings this week of our longing for … biblical community. Read more from Kerry Mackey’s church planting experience.
Posts Tagged ‘Faculty’
Pastor Pat Giraldin had rarely been to church for 14 years when his girlfriend took him to Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley in 1995.
“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.
Dr. Alan Stoddard is Executive Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, and a member of the Teaching Faculty for Rockbridge Seminary. Recently, he wrote about his Rockbridge Seminary experience on his blog “AStodLive.” Here’s an excerpt:
The face of seminary training has changed. I got connected with an online seminary a few years ago when a friend of mine started www.rockbridgeseminary.org. This is a fully online seminary where students can get quality, relevant equipping that’s affordable and contextual. You don’t have to leave where you serve to get in the educational programs and process. RockbridgeI took the professor orientation and was stunned at the biblical community that was created in our class. I’ve become a social media lover, but the prof class really helped me understand how online learning can actually surpass traditional forms of learning in many ways.
Kerry Mackey is pastor of Adult Ministries at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and just finished teaching the Rockbridge Seminary online course “The Theology & Practice of Fellowship.” Here are comments posted on his blog, Street to the Seat:
I have just finished teaching another semester for Rockbridge … the learning environment it creates for men and women around the world who desire a seminary education when they can not or do not desire to leave their ministry position to attend a traditional seminary is phenomenal.
I wish that you could read the Learning Assessments that I just read, about how these students ranging in age for 25 to 65 are now implementing their learnings in the context of their local congregation.
In addition, since each student is working alongside a mentor within their local church environment- how much more rich that is for them. They are learning online with students from all over the world while being mentored by a local pastor/minister, all the while some of the most knowledgeable persons in the their specific field of ministry facilitating the entire learning community.
I know what you are thinking… It’s just to good to be true… I can get my seminary education fully online while collaborating with men/women around the world from the comfort of my own home while sitting in my pajamas sipping a hot cup of coffee…. BUT, you can!
“This fully online Seminary is a newer concept that is having a big impact. Most of the graduates are people who are already leading significant ministries and are back filling the education part so they will be better prepared for the future. I am reminded again that it is important “What I do” but maybe more important in whom I am investing.” Continue reading “Investing in Leaders”
“Currently I am online and on a conference call with our first faculty meeting this semester for Rockbridge Seminary. Dr. Gary Waller is leading the discussion and we have 15 or so folks online / on phone for the call.
If you haven’t engaged Rockbridge Seminary as a servant leader for your learning experience and study/practice then today is your day.” Continue reading “Not Your Father’s Seminary”
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