Beacon University

In general (very general), RA & ATS (NA) are going to have the greatest utility in a church setting (an ATS alone school would not have the same utility outside of the church setting). TRACS is a little different (I would think......ie personal opinion) in that although they continue to grow in terms of prestige and acceptance, they are still relatively new. On top of that there is a very conservative perception attached to TRACS (ie a liberal Episcopalian is going to look askew @ you).

So...to Hodge. It somewhat depends on what you want the MDiv for. If your denomination is happy.......great. If you want to use it for the military chaplaincy......great. It is accredited by a recognized accreditor of theological schools. Want to get a job in a United Methodist or Episcopal Church.......may not be as easy. But then that may have more to do with theological perception (ie trying to get a job in a liberal UMC church with a Liberty U or Oral Roberts MDiv may require som explaining as well.

Congratulations on your finding a school that met your needs. I wish you all the best.

North

 

Military Chaplains

This is true -- but (caution! bunny trail ahead) -- the chaplaincy thing opens up another can of worms.

If someone wants to be a military chaplain for the U.S. they must have Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a Department of Defense recognized endorser (These are usually denominations or church jurisdictions -- the very same people who are expecting that you have an ATS accredited degree as a prerequisite to ordination.) These endorsers are only given so many slots. So the positions are competitive.

The military also requires a minimum two years religious leadership experience AND ordination (or equivalent), United States citizenship, baccalaureate degree (not less than 120 semester hours), and a masters degree in theology or related subjects (not less than 72 semester hrs) from an accredited institution.

Interested parties can take a look at one of the government issued lists (.pdf)

In other words, a theological degree from Beacon would probably count for military chaplaincy IF it also satisfied the requirements of an official endorser. And if the endorser had some slots available it could actually happen. A list of endorsing agencies can be found on the bottom of this page.

 

boydston,

Personally, I have seen graduates of seminaries in the Reformed tradition pastor churches outside that tradition, but I have not seen grads from non-Reformed schools pastor Reformed churches.

I believe that a degree from Beacon will benefit me within Baptist circles and among other independent churches. To be honest with you, I know plenty of churches pastored by men without seminary degrees. My present church as well as my former church are prime examples. A friend of mine was recently voted in as pastor by a small baptist church here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He doesn't have a bachelor's degree of any kind.

To be honest, I want an M.Div. because I believe I need formal academic training before becoming a pastor. I don't need it for ordination because I am already ordained in the Baptist tradition. Currently, I serve as an associate minister under a senior pastor. I could become a senior pastor without a seminary degree in many Baptist churches. However, I believe that proper training is crucial to be an effective pastor. Seminary doesn't guarantee that I'll be an effective pastor, but I believe that formal training is a necessary part of my preparation for a senior pastor position. Also, I don't want to be limited to churches that don't care about seminary training.

Speaking of chaplaincy, the Veterans Administration requires a M.Div. from a regionally or nationally accredited school for its chaplains. I am already in federal civil service and I would also love to work as a VA chaplain. This is one reason why I am willing to move from regional to national accreditation.


North,

What do you think of the D.R.S program at Trinity? How do you plan to use the degree?

 

Not that you asked--
My vision is askew, but I look askance at stuff.

 

Eddie:

Considering all of that, it sounds like Beacon might be an outstanding fit for your situation.

I appreciate your desire to further your education and your willingness to allow some group scrutinization of your decision process. It bodes well.

 

Brad is correct about the need for an endorser recognized by NCMAF/Armed Forces Chaplains Board. For military purposes, USAF-Aux Civil Air Patrol, Dept of Veterans Affairs it is important that your endorser be recognized. Check out your denomination because if it does not fall under one of them you may want to seek additional recognition.

Thanks for asking about Trinity. I have just begun listening to some of the lectures on line. Seems interesting. Texts are being shipped. As Jimmy mentioned there are several major papers per class so I will need to get typing. The requirements certainly appear to exceed that of ACCS' doctoral program and are in line with some of the other doctoral programs that I am vaguely familiar with (eg Walden, Capella, ORU, University of Sarasota.........all programs that I was enrolled in and dropped the first classes.....a few years ago). Trinity seems geared to achieve RA but only time will tell.

Good luck!

North

 

What is the dissertation/diss. equivalent portion of this degree?

 

Beacon University Experience

Hello All,

I have just completed my first semester in the distance ed, M.A. in Biblical Studies program at Beacon. So far, my experience has been very good. The professors and administrative staff have been very responsive. Here's a summary of the two classes I took.

Systematic Theology I (Theology Proper, Christology, Anthropology, Bibliology)

Text: Millard Erickson's Christian Theology

Assignments: one, 100 question, open-book, multiple choice mid-term and one final exam; one, 15+ page research paper (mine was 22 pages); two, 5-page book reviews of Erickson's textbook.

Tests are taken online via Blackboard web site. Papers are submitted via email for grading. Graded tests are returned via snail mail with comments. Lectures are viewed online at the student's convenience. Assignments are due at scheduled times throughout the semester. No discussion board assignments.

Professor has a RA Ph.D.


Synoptic Gospels

Texts: Craig Blomberg's Jesus and the Gospels, Leon Morris' commentary on Luke (Tyndale New Testament Series), and the professor's study guide.

Assignments: Tests follow the same format as above. One, 11-15 page research paper (mine was 19 pages); two, 1,250 word book reviews for the Blomberg and Morris texts.

Professor has a RA Ph.D and Ed.D.

I made an "A" in both classes.

Overall Experience

My experience has been very good. I am glad that I transferred from Southern Christian U. I will take three classes in Spring '05. I will stay with Beacon to finish my M.A. in Biblical Studies (Dec '05)and M.Div (2007).

By the way, I found out that Beacon has plans to seek regional accreditation.

www.beacon.edu

 

Sounds terrific. Best wishes as you continue.

 

good text for Theol, but , writing too light, IMO, and open book exams are nonsense(unless textbook usage is what is being tested. )