Offering the best majors and helping students find just the right courses are crucial for every good seminary, but the really effective schools also remain flexible to help walk each student through their own educational journey.
New Orleans Seminary uses the concept of distance learning to give students a big advantage.
For more than three decades, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College have trained ministers at the Birmingham Extension Center (BHM), where students go to school while also gaining valuable experience in serving their local church.
“At NOBTS and Leavell College, we want to prepare servants to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth and fulfill His mission,” said Stephen Hall, executive pastor of NorthPark Baptist Church in Trussville and director of New Orleans Seminary’s BHM. “The seminary was an early adopter to the idea of distance learning. Through the years, the extension center has been located at (Lakeside Baptist, The Church at Brook Hills and Valleydale Church, all in Birmingham).”
Attending while ministering
Hall said his main work with seminary extension involves helping students connect.
“One of the positive aspects about theological training online and through the extension centers is that pastors and church leaders who are currently serving in Alabama churches can walk through the seminary process while continuing to minister at their current place of calling,” he explained. “Because of this long history, there are many leaders in Alabama Baptist churches who have been trained through NOBTS.”
Hall noted the seminary recently updated its teaching plan for students at the Birmingham center.
“A student will be able to complete 100% of their masters of divinity at the Birmingham center,” he explained. “In addition to the biweekly classes on Mondays, each semester a professor from the main campus of NOBTS will be in Birmingham for a weekend hybrid class. This fall we will be offering Christian ethics in the weekend hybrid format.
“If a student takes every class offered in BHM, they will graduate with the 84-hour M.Div. in four years.”
Students in Alabama also have options for online classes, weekend seminars in New Orleans and a full listing of classes at BHM, which gives them access to mentoring professors, adjunct teachers and other students while continuing their current ministry.
BHM benefits
Hall gets to see first-hand the benefits of BHM because one of the other ministers at NorthPark, Wiley Edwards, is working on his degree there.
“I’m currently getting my master of divinity,” said Edwards, minister to students. “My experience at the school has been fantastic. The professors are very helpful. They are always willing to answer questions and provide feedback.
“The school is committed to preparing its students for ministry,” Edwards continued. “In addition to that, the administration and professors show that they value you as an individual. They are consistently praying for their students. They have a good perspective in understanding that students have demands outside of school as well. At the same time, they understand the seriousness of being prepared for ministry. The school walks that line effectively.”
One professor who shares the same love for the distance learning offered by NOBTS is Stacey Boutwell, executive pastor of Lakeside Baptist, who has been a regular teacher of history and theology at BHM for more than a decade.
Practical skills
“The camaraderie among the students and faculty and the connection with local churches makes the extension center special,” Boutwell noted. “The benefit to the students is two-fold: They are able to have local and affordable access to theological education and ministry training; they also benefit from instructors who are currently serving local churches. The latter benefit keeps the truth and skills they’re learning practically connected to local church ministry. The instructors are serving alongside the students.”
Boutwell started teaching for NOBTS in January 2000 when he lived in Oxford, Alabama.
“For the first few years I taught at the North Georgia extension, at the time located at FBC Decatur,” he explained. “In the spring of 2005, I taught my first class for the Birmingham extension, at the time located at Lakeside Baptist Church. Since about 2007 I’ve taught exclusively for the Birmingham extension, beginning at The Church at Brook Hills and then moving to Valleydale Church. Over the last 22 years, I believe I’ve taught all but two semesters. I also taught two semesters on-site at the Montgomery extension when that site was beginning. Each semester I’ve taught between one and four classes.”
Boutwell teaches systematic theology 1 and 2, history of Christianity 1 and 2 and Baptist heritage.
The distance learning model has helped students, Boutwell said, but also contributes to the surrounding area.
“The students are able to continue serving their churches while pursuing their studies. This adds stability to their lives and to their families,” he explained. “Over the years, it has also added stability to the churches in the Birmingham community, not only by allowing pastors and staff members to remain in their positions, but also by making Birmingham a more attractive area for ministers.”
For more information about NOBTS, Leavell College and local extensions visit nobts.edu.
Share with others: