Luther Rice-Dr. Levicoff, Dr. Bear

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by stringfellow hawke, Nov 2, 2014.

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  1. stringfellow hawke

    stringfellow hawke New Member

    Hello, I want to run this past you all and I'm looking specifically for feedback from Dr. Levicoff or Dr. Bear if possible. I am finishing up a B.A. and then want to pursue an M. Div from Luther Rice online. I know Luther Rice has a good reputation, but Dr. Levicoff in particular has expressed disdain for degrees obtained completely online. I am currently being mentored by a Pastor and he should allow me to be an associate Pastor at his church for a time when I complete my degree from Luther Rice. So to the critics like Dr. Levicoff. Do you think a degree from Luther Rice partnered with a year or two of work as an associate Pastor would open up doors for me to pastor a church of my own? Thoughts?
     
  2. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Dear Stringfellow Hawke

    Airwolf, eh?

    I can confirm, of course, that Luther Rice has recognized accreditation, but am not in a position to comment on the specific usefulness of the degree for any given purpose. My research in 2000 showed that degrees from recognized non-regional accreditors have much lower acceptance in the academic world -- roughly 40% acceptance -- but that was then, and that was academic acceptance only.

    Best wishes, John Bear
     
  3. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    I was praying on a mountain top this morning when I felt my spirit being summoned here on DI, so here goes...

    Historically, I have objected to graduate-level degrees in the helping professions (which includes pastoral ministry) that are completely external because they lack accountability. However, you have covered that with your relationship to a senior pastor and accountability to a congregation. Good job.

    My objection to online degrees is a separate issue – I simply think they’re mickey mouse, but that’s for another discussion.

    Now as to Luther Rice, I have always spoken well of them. In addition to TRACS, they are also now accredited by ABHE (formerly AABC), in which I have traditionally placed more credibility than I have in TRACS. Moreover, their graduates have included, among others, Charles Stanley, Jerry Vines, John Ankerberg, Stephen Olford, and Spiros Zodhiates (for the uninitiated, that’s like a Cadillac list of evangelicals). If Luther Rice is good enough for them, it should be fine for you. It’s not good enough for me, but I’m a trucker, so what do I know?

    As to pastoring your own church, assuming you lean toward the evangelical side, the ultimate solution to that is generally to start your own church. (See “Church Planting 101.”) For that, you don’t need a degree at all. Seriously, if you were to answer a classified ad for a pastor (presumably in a reputable publication), you will lose out in comparison with your competition. Existing pastoral positions, like executive positions, are often attained by who you know, not the school from which you graduated.

    So, can you go wrong with Luther Rice? Not in my mind. Therefore, neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more. And best of luck with your program. Sounds like you’ve thought it out well.

    [Makes sign of pontifical blessing.]
    I now return to the mountain top. :haha:
     
  4. stringfellow hawke

    stringfellow hawke New Member

    Thanks so much. I have considered church planting actually. You mentioned "Church Planting 101". Is that an article or book? Ultimately I want my degree to have some utility. My mentor is actually at a UCC church... but they are actually conservative and he has a Southern Baptist background. Not sure where I will end up. Thanks for the feedback. Also, are you really a trucker these days?
     
  5. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    No, it’s not an article, just a hypothetical title I used as an example. However, there are scads of books on church planting, and I’m sure the topic is covered in a myriad of Bible college and seminary courses.

    By the way, quite a few years ago, at least one UCC seminary (Lancaster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania) offered free tuition if one committed to becoming a UCC pastor – the seminaries were going through a bit of a drought at the time. UCC, of course, is a very liberal denomination (I was at the installation of the then-new UCC president circa 1980, and almost fell on the floor laughing when he began the Lord’s Prayer with, “Our parent, who art in heaven…”) Over the years, I probably preached in more UCC congregations than any other denomination (I have an ex who was a UCC pastor) and have fond feelings about them, but as a denomination they’re certainly on the theological liberal side. But very academically credible, as their seminaries are both regionally and ATS accredited.

    And yes, I "are" really a trucker these days. Seventeen years now, the last ten spent bopping around the country, and still doing lots of theatre along the way. I haven’t looked back on teaching once, and as a writer, I busy myself with writing specialized training manuals these days. Still having a blast being a “B.A., M.A., Ph.D., C.D.L..” The first three were more inhtellectually rewarding, but the last has been the most fun.
     
  6. stringfellow hawke

    stringfellow hawke New Member

    I can understand your current career choice. The idea has appealed to me as well. Thanks for the info on UCC. My UCC is a "fringe UCC church" as my Pastor would call it because it's an older congregation in a small town with relatively conservative values. What's fascinating about the UCC is that even though they are liberal the autonomy that they offer churches makes ones like mine possible. Thanks for the advice.
     

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