NationsUniversity Master of Ministry (No Tuition)

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Dave Wagner, Jan 7, 2005.

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  1. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    I recently noticed that NationsUniversity started a Master of Ministry degree to complement the Bachelor of Religious Studies and Master of Religious Studies degrees.

    I'm very high on this unaccredited school as they offer rigorous DL to students around the world through the Internet at no tuition cost, only requesting that North American and European students make financial donations to help subsidize students in the under-industrialized countries. Some courses may require that the student obtain their own books.

    There are well over 100 semester length courses in Bible, Church History, Theology, Ministry & Missions and Comparative Religion:

    http://www.nationsu.org

    Best wishes,

    Dave
     
  2. Dear Dave,

    Nations University! Can't Beat it with a Stick! I will follow this one. Thanks allot.
     
  3. I wonder what their relationship is with the Churches of Christ.
     
  4. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    The churches of Christ are locally autonomous, so there is no official relationship. Most of the folks involved seem to have either attended schools affiliated with the churches of Christ or have taught at same schools. I happen to know that many of the courses were developed by Dr. Mac Lynn, who taught at Harding University Graduate School of Religion, was the chair of the Bible Department at Lipscomb University and is the compiler of the most widely-used directory of the churches of Christ. Dr. Ken Johnson, who just joined as President last fall, was President of Rochester College (formerly known as Michigan Christian College.) Some of the clerical staff is paid but everyone else donates their time and energy. Overall, I characterize the relationship as one where NationsUniversity draws some financial support and manpower from local congregations through individual members who share its mission to provide religious education worldwide.

    My view,

    Dave
     
  5. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    Quote from Nations U website:
    That speaks well of the program as a whole. I thought the discussion about lack of accreditation was honest and thorough. Knowing that graduates of this free university can go on to an accredited graduate school (they are working on an agreement with a European Business school as well) shows the program isn't too weak.

    I had never heard of this particular opportunity before, even though I am from the CoC. Thanks for showing it to us.

    clint
     
  6. The Best of all is that they are not a degree mill, and is

    Gratis :D:D
     
  7. philosophy

    philosophy New Member

    NationsUniversity

    With this school appearing to be a legitimate school, would a person be safe to put a degree if they graduated from this school on a resume or for professional consideration? Has anyone taken any courses from the school, or graduated from it?
     
  8. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Re: NationsUniversity

    In situations where an unaccredited Bible degree would be an appropriate credential, then you would probably be safe in using it. For those who already possess a bachelors degree in another subject, I think it would be adequate preparation for a regular preaching position in many smaller evangelical or church of Christ congregations. Of course, you should explain the background and current status of the school when applying for such positions; many speakers in such situations are self-taught or did not attend divinity school.

    Best wishes,

    Dave
     
  9. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    the idea of preaching being thought of as a "position" kinda bother me.

    it is a bit disturbing that pastors get educated and send out resumes like it was a regular job.

    is it so bad to "raise" your own? shouldn't the church be growing a developing their own people for the most part. aren't we supposed to see good church leaders duplicating themselves through discipleship?

    call me a weirdo but, that is the way i see it.

    i am no expert so i can be easily corrected, i'm sure.

    i'm not saying that this is the only way but i sure wish it was the norm and "hiring" through resumes just seem a bit risky for what is such a high office in the church.

    at least this is the brand of church i know from my personal experience.
     
  10. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    You've raised an interesting point, which I'm not sure I can answer adequately. However, I'll try... There is considerable utility in having a trained preacher to deliver the sermon on a regular basis, to guard against error and to ensure that the flock is receiving a balanced diet. Certainly, there is a biblical role for the evangelist. Perhaps congregations can train their own preachers; many do and many do not. In the instance where a congregation does not have trained and/or willing preachers, then the word of God is not preached consistently and accurately. Without strong preaching congregation often do little beyond worshipping "correctly" and maintaining the building. I know that there are members of the churches of Christ who do not believe in paying a preachers, and those pulpits are often occupied by novices who have not sharpened their sword adequately. In sum, my personal view is that men who think themselves to be teachers/preachers, paid or volunteers, should spend their time in rigorous prayer and Bible study, which doesn't have to occur at a formal institution. However, autonomous churches often have no consistent way to train evangelists who can stand in the pulpit week after week preach the Bible accurately. I'm sure that other stripes of faith experience similar issues...

    Blessings,

    Dave
     
  11. skidadl

    skidadl Member

    those are some good points.

    the biggest concern that i have is the lack of willing folks to get the job done.

    the church, IMHO, should be advancing God's Kingdom to the point that willing preachers should be plentiful.

    i just get a very unsettled feeling thinking about churches having to go on monster to find a qualified preacher.

    but, like i said, i am far from knowing everything. or very much for that matter.
     
  12. vinodgopal

    vinodgopal New Member

    Other Such Tuition-less institutions

    This is a fantastic website, i must agree however I am not certain about the recognition status. Also there are no degrees other than the religious ones. I am from India, where there are multiple accreditted universities (with the UGC or university grants comission and AICTE or All India counsil for Tecnical Education) for the price of $200 for a three year Bachelor's degree and $500 or less for a 2 year Master's degree.

    USA based degrees are reckoned to be fancy degrees and the cost to obtain one may cost a student a fortune. The exchange rates are $1=(~)Rs.44. So when a person goes in for $15000 worth degree it is 45 fold times the price he or she pays in Indian Currency! It will take years or probably decades to recover such amounts spent. On the other hand, there is less awareness of what a diploma mill is and which are the recognized ones out there and the ones that are not. In my mid-profession, I hold an MA in English Literature degree from an Indian university. I wish to know if there are other universities, DL based that imparts tuitionless education.

    Thanks and Regards,

    Vin
     
  13. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    Vin, welcome.

    Skid, I think you have some good points.
     
  14. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Trust me, even trained preachers can preach errors in the minds of some congregations. Don't think for one moment that one trained in a Unitarian or UCC or DOC or Society of Friends or UMC seminary wouldn't be considered a heretic by members of the churches of Christ, fundamentalist Baptists, etc.

    Let a Roman Catholic preach in a church of Christ congregation and see if members won't see error after error after error.
     
  15. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Bingo.
     

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