Training for Ministry in the Bush
The constant change is making it harder for those who live in the bush which also means that any who have been considering ministry have been reluctant to set aside time to attend college for training. Ridley College has been working on an internet ministry training program which BCA have been only too happy to support as it will give people in the bush an opportunity to study and test God’s call for them to enter ministry.
eRidley: a story of gratitude
What a debt Ridley owes to the Bush Church Aid Society! The age-old faithfulness of God, working through BCA and its supporters, is proving itself in a brand new venture. Collaboration between BCA and Ridley is a good thing in itself, and has also allowed each of us to do more together than we could on our own.
What?
For the past two or three years, Ridley has been trying to determine how best to extend theological education to those around Australia who cannot attend our Melbourne campus, especially those in regional, rural and other remote areas. We found ourselves greatly encouraged to consider it afresh by organisations—like BCA—who were already committed to nourishing the church in regional areas.
We found not only that a need existed, but that the state of technology was now mature enough to facilitate quality distance education across the nation. No longer do distance students have to settle for printed notes and their own self-discipline. The availability of reliable internet connections, coupled with quality software, now ensures that students can learn in a vibrant, interactive environment, populated with other students and teachers.
How?
Thus the 2007 academic year began with a number of core units being taught in ‘cyberspace’ as well as in the traditional classroom. Seasoned teachers completely revised survey introductions to Old and New Testaments, to render them suitable for online consumption. The development of these units was generously sponsored by BCA.
Some of the customary demands of distance education remain. Students must still pace themselves in the reading of study guides and theological texts. Yet the eRidley distance website fills a number of gaps:
- materials are delivered at a measured pace, encouraging students to keep in step
- additional resources and comments can be added at any time, keeping the content fresh and contemporary
- discussion forums offer students a way to communicate with each other and with their teachers, usually earning not only a quick reply but also a sense of a shared learning community
- further facilities, such as the extensive catalogues of Ridley’s library and bookshop, are an integrated offering; an increasing number of sermons and other extra-curricular resources are also being offered
- most assessment can be submitted and returned electronically, avoiding the delays and uncertainties of postal correspondence.
|
|
Ridley Chapel |
Cumnock |
Some of the website is open to the public, and BCA supporters are most welcome to visit it to get a taste for what it offers: www.distance.ridley.edu.au.
Who?
To everyone’s delight, the venture has worked perfectly. Having originally pondered 24 enrolments for the academic year, we trusted that God might bring 36 or even 48. And indeed God proved faithful, bringing 45. And the project continues to scratch where people are itching, with the first semester of the 2008 academic year already seeing a similar 45 enrolments—from every state and territory in the country. Will some of our online units attract larger class sizes than our campus units?!
But the numbers, encouraging though they are, pale when we consider the diversity of students and churches being served. Students in rural Australia are now being trained in biblical interpretation without having to abandon the communities in which they live and minister. Those who would consider further study are able to ‘test the waters’ before committing themselves and their families to an urban sojourn (as well as reducing the time required). And BCA’s concern for regional students is also bringing benefit to a variety of others who were previously unable to study. Already we find ourselves serving young parents, shift workers, missionaries in transit, jet-setting professionals, and military personnel with roaming postings.
Comments from our students confirm that the program is achieving what we would hope it might achieve:
- ‘eRidley enables me to interact with wonderful Christian minds and learn from world-class scholars whilst juggling a
new wife, a full-time job, and a thriving youth ministry—all from 2,000km away!’
(Peter, Brisbane, Qld) - ‘I have never been involved much with OT as I thought Jesus had given us a new covenant and that was what I
concentrated on! However, I am finding the readings and the geography fascinating. So hopefully I will be able to pass
on my newfound knowledge in an interesting way to others who thought the same as me.’
(Coral, Mildura, Vic) - ‘I’ve really appreciated being able to start some theological studies before I can move to a big capital city. The
content and learning environment in eRidley is excellent, and the best thing is that the units I complete online will
one day count towards any studies I do on campus.’
(Will, Wee Waa, NSW)
Then?
Ridley has recently been rebadged as Ridley Melbourne, accompanied by a fresh vision for serving and shaping the Australian church. Our distance education program is now an integral component. See our new website at: www.ridleymelbourne.edu.au .
New units are being developed and offered each year. In 2008 we are adding the opportunity to study biblical interpretation and mission. 2009 will see the introduction of some more focused theology and even the study of Greek!
There are few words to express how thrilling is the new eRidley venture. Once again we would take this opportunity to thank God for making it fruitful, and to thank the leaders and members of BCA for their vision, encouragement and support.
Praise God!
Andrew Malone
Co-ordinator of Online Learning
Ridley Melbourne
Copyright © 2008 Bush Church Aid Society of Australia