1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

SWBTS or Luther Rice

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by labaptist, Oct 21, 2015.

  1. labaptist

    labaptist Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    1
    I am currently in the Bachelors program at Andersonville Seminary. I contacted some accredited seminaries and the two who said "yes" to accepting an Andersonville degree were Southwestern and Luther Rice. (Liberty who for years used to accept the degrees on probation, doesn't anymore.)

    I am interested in either SWBTS Master of Theological Studies http://catalog.swbts.edu/web-based-education/master-of-theological-studies/
    or Luther Rice's Master of Arts in Ministry http://www.lutherrice.edu/UserFiles/Documents/Program Requirements/2014/MAM 2014.pdf
    Luther Rice's as a homiletic class which appeals to me but is Nationally accredited while SWBTS is ATS and Regionally accredited. Luther Rice would be cheaper since SWBTS charges a $270 internet class fee and I can't see getting the money to move to Fort Worth. I would eventually like to go for a MDiv but it appears most of the credits from these two programs would transfer to that.
     
  2. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    20,080
    Likes Received:
    3,490
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is probably the better school academically, but Rice is a good school.

    I wouldn't get too hung up on either school's accreditation. Both are Regionally Accredited or the equivalent.

    Rice by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). ABHE is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

    Rice is also a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. TRACS is an accrediting body that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the United States Department of Education, and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education.

    SWBTS is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and also by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

    Both school's degrees are recognized by just about everyone. But Rice has specialized in online education and their programs are very well done. If you don't want to do an on-campus degree Rice is probably the better choice. :)
     
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    Why do you want to go to seminary and get these degrees?

    Just an honest question.
     
  4. labaptist

    labaptist Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    1
    I would like to pastor. In retrospect I feel enrolling in Andersonville was a mistake because it's unaccredited and I feel I need an accredited degree to "wash" the Andersonville one. Also as I have mentioned in other threads, I'm divorced which I realize will make it more difficult to get a call and having an accredited degree would help in the job market.
     
  5. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    I think you're wise to pursue an accredited degree in light of your Andersonville experience.

    While I am not familiar with your particular theological views (conservative, fundamentalist, moderate, etc) you might consider if these schools match up with your views.

    In the end, and to be quick, I'd say if LRS and SWBTS are your only options to consider SWBTS. Personally I think there are other schools that might work out and accept your Andersonville degree. Liberty might be an option as well an their online programs appear affordable. However, some other programs might also be available like Southern Evangelical, Dallas Theological, Fuller Theological, etc which might accept your other degree and provide a suitable online option. I'm not familiar with all these programs, but they might be worth considering and checking on.

    For what its worth, from a guy who has been in the pastorate for a good long while, when I'm looking at staff hires (or advising other churches about them) I always let them know that education does matter. Go and get the degree with a better reputation (and slightly more cost) often provides a better future than getting what might be easier and cheaper. Prayers for you on your journey and I celebrate your affirmation of your calling to ministry. That you're asking these questions is a sign of a healthy calling.
     
  6. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    20,080
    Likes Received:
    3,490
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Do you have a specific calling to pastoral ministry? If not have you considered other vocational ministry?
    I would advise you to prepare for a lot of rejection due to your divorce.

    It might be a good idea to write a mini-biography regarding the cause of your divorce (was it biblical according to Matthew 5:32? "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery"). And if you have remarried does your wife fit the requirement? (That she has never been married, or is a widow, or if divorced was it due to her first husband's infidelity?)

    These are the questions most pulpit search committees will ask. And many churches would probably not consider you for the senior pastor position but might accept you as a member of the pastoral staff under the mature leadership of a seasoned senior pastor.

    1 Timothy 3:1 "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task."

    The man must be found to be as noble as the task. And that is a big order. :)
     
  7. labaptist

    labaptist Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 31, 2007
    Messages:
    95
    Likes Received:
    1
    Dallas Theological would let me in if I got a high enough score on a graduate test, however their tuition is about twice what LR or SWBTS would be. I could probably get into SES too. Concerning the divorce, I know thats going to result in alot of shut doors, which is why I'd be hesitant to go for a 90 hour MDiv (Unless I decided to pursue chaplaincy ministry, but its my understanding the NAMB won't endorse a divorced man for that) Without going into the details, it wasn't a divorce I wanted and my ex and I are now on friendly terms. Thanks for your imput.
     
Loading...