Southern Bible Institute and Seminary Augusta, GA

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by thomson ga, Mar 29, 2012.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I don't know these rules and so I've hesitated to answer. I'd like to send up the Bat Signal for Steve Levicoff because he's the expert on religious schools. exemptions, the legits and the frauds etc. So I'll just say this. We know that within the realm of purely religious schools there is a fairly broad spectrum of quality, credibility, respectability, etc. Some are legitimate, some are pure scams designed only to separate you from your money. Using the umbrella of "religious exemption" from accreditation they are all "legal." The legality of their operation says absolutely nothing about the quality of their instruction (or if there is any instruction at all).
     
  2. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Diplomas and certificates are in a different category than a degree. A local church may (and many do) offer a diploma or certificate for successfully completing a program, course of study or sequence of curriculum. Often these are printed on site. A degree is an entirely different matter.
     
  3. thomson ga

    thomson ga Member

    In an 'official response' from Georgia's NPEC's Deputy Director 10/31/2012 at 5:27 p.m. the following excerpts-
    [B]"SBIS (Southern Bible Institute and Seminary) is not, nor has it ever been considered to be "Religious Exempt" by GNPEC".[/B]
    [U]...."SBIS (Southern Bible Institute and Seminary) has never been authorized to issue degrees indicating they originated in Georgia." [/U]
    "Religious exempt" institutions are required to make both an initial and annual renewal application to the Commission to obtain and retain this status.
    "SBIS (Southern Bible Institute and Seminary) has never filed an initial application."
    ..."an institution that ofers only certificates and diplomas need not make such an application" (for religious exemption). "Based on this provision, SBIS could have and can offer programming leading only to a certificate or a diploma should it so desire. It cannot concurrently offer, in the state of Georgia, programs leading to either a degree or of a nonreligious nature."

    "Relative to accreditation and accrediting bodies, it can be stated that no accrediting body, regardless of whether or not it has been recognized by the US Dept of Education, has the authority to alter or modify state laws, to substitute their own standards in place of state standards, or to direct any entity with which they may be associated to ignore any State requirement. Reputable accrediting agencies typically require that entities seeking accreditation obtain appropriate State(s) approval prior to applying accreditation, and also recognize that States have varying requirements, which requirements MUST ALL be met."

    Maybe this information helps...it came from Georgia's Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission's Deputy Director.
     
  4. thomson ga

    thomson ga Member

    What does SACS stand for? What degree do these teachers have?
     
  5. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    SACS = Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

    It is one of the six regional accreditors in the U.S.
     
  6. thomson ga

    thomson ga Member

    In SACS database, I failed to locate SBIS.
     
  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I'm beginning to think about this thread as a venus fly trap.

    Come closer my child. I have something sparkling for you.
     
  8. jarrodadkins

    jarrodadkins New Member

    Southern Bible Institute and Seminary Inc. is registered through the State of Georgia as a non-profit corporation. All requirements of GNPEC of Georgia (GNPEC - Employment Entry) are being fulfilled. We are also in contact with Dr. Holland who is over the Religious Exempt School's Department and would love for anyone to contact him to find out more information on our school and what we are accomplishing, 770-414-3300. You may also contact our lawyer, Sue Reimer at 706-855-0307 or Reimer Law Firm Augusta, GA - Family Law Evans, GA | Family Law Attorney Augusta, GA | Real Estate Closings Evans, GA | Real Estate Closing Attorney Augusta, GA | Wills and Probate Evans, GA | Wills and Probate Attorney Augusta, GA | Attorneys Evans,, who is filing all of the paperwork that is required for the State of Georgia. Classes start February 5 and February 7, 2013 at 7:00pm at Eleven Sixteen Church, 1116 Fury's Ferry Road, Evans, Georgia 30809.
    Southern Bible Institute and Seminary, Inc. currently offers a Biblical Diploma until all requirements are completed through the GNPEC of Georgia. We are not a secular school, university, or college and our mission is to train men and women for the work of ministry by the preaching and teaching of the Word of Truth, rightly divided. We hope this information helps.
     
  9. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Another fly has fallen into the trap. Come to me my pretty . . .
     
  10. thomaskolter

    thomaskolter New Member

    I don't see the issue if they offer degrees they should meet some clear standard, even the ULC (modesto) has a state exemption for offering its degrees which I have one of just don't use the title "Doctor" or anything (it was a gift from a friend for my b-day). If this school noted here offered a Diploma of Ministry, Diploma of Bible Studies or a Certificate in Church Management no one would be overly critical I would think but it seems shady thats all over say a Seminary for such studies that clearly is more serious.

    You leave a conservative Yeshiva for example with a degree in Rabbinical Studies it doesn't need any approvals really and the credential would be seen here as serious if backed by the Jewish community. What is the case with this school?
     
  11. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    State exemption to sell "doctoral degrees" via the "Minister Store", then given as a b-day gift to a friend?

    Why would anyone question the validity of such a credential?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 7, 2013
  12. scottae316

    scottae316 New Member

    Question the validity, I sure do and so do many I imagine. The legality, well it is legal and would only be considered "valid" in the ULC and the uninformed and/or uneducated.
     
  13. thomaskolter

    thomaskolter New Member

    When I do write articles and work "in ministry" I always use my religious title of Cleric which is legal use it was issued by the ULC okay for $10 but well the state cannot decide matters of religious titles or how they are granted. I could see that you can't be a Priest or Rabbi unless we say its okay under the government standard the lawsuits would hit from every side.

    I noted the degree here for amusement so I can be a doctor to, kind of. Come on no one here has a sense of humor at our First Amendment in such matters?
    :laughing:
     
  14. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I had a sense of humor. The ULC came for it -- and I did not speak up. They confiscated it. Then the ULC came for ThomasKolter, Mr. "Fake-degrees-are-fun." And there was no-one left to speak for him. :sad:

    Johann
     
  15. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Scottae, my post was dripping with sarcasm. There is no validity or legitimacy to a $32.99 "doctoral degree" purchased from the ministry store.
     
  16. thomson ga

    thomson ga Member

    Here is The Official Response of the Deputy Director of Georgia's Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission on Southern Bible Institute and Seminary as typed by himself~
    Article 2
     
  17. scottae316

    scottae316 New Member

    Yes, I recognize sarcasm when I see. My point was only for clarification about validity, those in the ULC will accept it, but then one must consider the source (i.e. ULC). My response to your OP was written in sarcasm also.
     
  18. BobbySullivan

    BobbySullivan New Member

    This is horrible news. I sent a great deal of money to this school for a useless piece of paper that I thought was valid. BA, MA and DTH. What a joke! I feel so shafted right now.
     
  19. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    One of my favorite...

    First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

    Then they came for the socialists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

    Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

    Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

    Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic.

    Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.
     
  20. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    How much is a great deal and where did you send it? I thought ULC PhDs were under $40?
     

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