Did you know Millennials and Gen Xers make up two-thirds of the workforce? Combined with this shift in workforce composition is the rise of social media, a reclassification of what is valued, and several changes to our traditional understanding of communication, relationship building, giving, and community. I was asked to lead a workshop in which…
The Kairos Project is an alternative educational track within the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, and Master of Arts (Bible and Theology) programs that facilitates flexible learning through contextually integrated educational moments and adaptable assignments. It is designed specifically for individuals who are actively engaged in ministry. As we enter the…
Over the past two weeks, we have been looking at practical ideas that may help us address the issue of student debt. It is a multi-faceted concern, and we believe institutions must attack it from three angles: cost reduction, revenue generation, and curriculum development. Last week, we looked at cost reduction. Today, we will dive…
We have spent the past nine weeks looking at the topic of operational models and student educational debt at seminaries within the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). We’ve spent some time looking at why we care and what we know. Today, we begin providing several practical ideas that may help us move forward. Student debt…
In a recent research project, Dr. Harriet Rojas and I looked at various operational models across higher education. After looking over our research, talking with more individuals, and reviewing the efforts that some schools have made to address the issue of the rising cost of theological education, we have come to the conclusion that schools…
Often times, the challenges we face and the opportunities they create are multifaceted. The fact that large numbers of seminarians are taking significant amounts of educational debt with them when they graduate is no exception. In a recent research project that was part of the Lilly Endowment’s Economic Challenges Facing Future Ministers initiative, Dr. Harriet…
Over the past three weeks, we have gently waded into a conversation about operational models and educational debt in seminaries within the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). We began with a broad overview of our research project that looked at operational models and educational debt in ATS seminaries. Next we talked about the three-sided challenge…
Educational debt is a growing issue among seminarians. Let’s spend some time looking at what may need to change…(Read more…)
Since 2003, total enrollment in seminaries across the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) has declined by about 7% and giving has decreased by about 2%. During that same period of time, the amount seminaries are spending to deliver theological education has risen by about 30%. If you are a visual person, you can see all…
As we create new programs, new financial models, or innovative support systems for theological education, we may find that the traditional ways of measuring the financial impact of our programs are not as helpful as they once were. That is exactly what we have found at Northern Seminary. Today I want to look briefly at…