The Directed Study
Program
The
directed study program of Cummins Theological Seminary is designed to
integrate theological education with the practical skills which are
necessary for a successful pastoral ministry. The directed study program
is not conducted by correspondence. Rather, it combines the traditional
and independent study systems of education. All students are under the
direction of approved tutors who have the general oversight of the student’s
progress in pursuing his theological education, while assisting the
development of his gifts in the ministry of the local church. The benefits
of the directed study program are far reaching for the student, pastor
and church. Consider the following about directed studies:
1. It allows a
prospective student minister the opportunity to
fulfill his academic studies at his own pace without uprooting
his family and disrupting his home.
2. It provides
an opportunity for the local church to receive
the benefit of the student’s knowledge gained through his studies
by instructing others and by making practical application of
that knowledge in the local church.
3. It allows the
church to keep their member in the local fellowship
and to use him in helping to reproduce other disciples
while training for the pastorate.
4. The directed
study program allows a student to receive continual
“hands on” practical experience in the gospel ministry
under the direction of the Rector and Parish Council.
5. A student will
get first hand knowledge of the ministry and
have an opportunity to cultivate a pastor’s heart as he prepares
to shepherd the flock of God.
6. In some cases
it might be possible for the local parish to
support the student financially and in return the student could
assist the pastor in his daily ministerial duties. This could potentially
grow into a full-time position which would especially
be beneficial to the parish.
7. The student
will have many opportunities to develop his
speaking gifts-via teaching and preaching in his parish.
8. The student
could be properly evaluated as to his ministerial
gifts by the Rector and congregation, especially in light of meeting
their spiritual needs.
9. There is also
the possibility of the parish establishing a new
mission work in the surrounding community through the efforts
of the student minister.
The list of benefits
could go on. But suffice to say, these points alone shed great light
on the effectiveness of a directed study program and its potential.
Yet, this is not a new system of education. Throughout the history of
the church many pastors were trained in this tradition. This pattern
also fits the system used by the Lord, Jesus Christ and the Apostles:
pastors training others to become pastors, one on one.The validity of
this method is beyond question, only the finished product will bear
testimony to the fruits of a worthy ministerial
education.
Introduction
To The Master of Theology/ Bachelor of Theology Program
The Master of Theology/Bachelor
of Theology program has been carefully designed to educate in an unique
way. Its sole purpose is to thoroughly prepare the student for effective
ministry in the Anglican Presbyterate. The program is built around the
requirements set forth in the rules for examination for the ordination
in the Anglican tradition. For example, the Constitution and Canons
of the Reformed Episcopal Church read:
“Sec. 2: No Deacon shall be ordained a presbyter in this Church
until he shall have passed a satisfactory examination in the presence
of a Bishop and two or more other Presbyters of this Church. The examination
shall be as follows: On the books of Scripture, the candidate being
required to give an account of the different books; to translate from
the original Greek and Hebrew, and to explain such passages as may be
proposed to him on the Evidences of Christianity; on Systematic Divinity;
on Church History; on Ecclesiastical Polity; on Pastoral Theology and
on the Discipline and Worship of this Church.”
The courses and
text books assigned the student have been chosen to meet these requirements.
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