Nazarene Theological Seminary

Last week, the Board of Trustees for Nazarene Theological Seminary concluded an historic business session. Not only did the meeting coincide with the Seminary’s 65th year of preparing women and men for ministry, the meeting also resulted in the unanimous approval (*pending ratification of NTS’ accrediting agency) of several new programs designed to make preparation for ministry through graduate theological education more flexible, more accessible, and more affordable.

Multi-Campus Seminary*: In a ground-breaking initiative to extend graduate theological education to more people and ministry contexts, NTS is becoming a multi-campus seminary. In collaboration with Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Mount Vernon, OH) and Southern Nazarene University (Bethany, OK), plans have been developed to offer NTS Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree coursework on these university campuses, as well as on the main NTS campus in Kansas City, MO. Beginning in the Fall 2010, new intensive module classes will be held on each of the 3 campuses. Combined with innovative online coursework, students and ministers will be able to earn the M.Div. from a variety of locations. NTS is also in conversation with TNU, ENC, PLNU and NBC about their participation in the multi-campus seminary. Learn more at www.nts.edu/multi-campus-seminary.

76-hour Master of Divinity Degree: Graduate theological education just became more flexible and affordable! The new NTS Master of Divinity Degree can now be earned upon the completion of 76 credit hours (currently 90 credit hours are required). This graduate-level cornerstone for vocational ministry preparation has undergone critical evaluation and modification, being redesigned as a more dynamic and relevant curriculum for the 21st Century. NTS joins the leading edge of seminary education with this new program structure and continues to help connect students with the formational journey that the M.Div. Degree provides. Learn more at www.nts.edu/76-hour-mdiv. BASED ON CURRENT TUITION RATES, THIS REDUCTION IN HOURS IS EQUAL TO A SAVINGS (PROGRAM-WIDE) OF $5,600!

365M: 365M, or 365 Days of Mission, allows students to earn a NTS Diploma in Cross-Cultural Ministry while gaining “hands on” cross-cultural learning experience. Students will learn via a combination of online courses, face-to-face seminars at NTS, and personal mentoring by leading missionaries and local leaders, who will minister alongside participants to make the mission practice a learning experience. This summer, the program will launch with 15 students in its inaugural sending group, most of whom will graduate from one of five Nazarene universities in May, 2010. After an initial seminar and orientation at NTS in Kansas City, teams of students will disperse to minister in 1 of 3 countries—Ireland, Brazil, or Croatia (list of ministry sites will expand/change in future years). Learn more at www.nts.edu/365M.

The storied tradition and mission of NTS, to prepare women and men to be faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, continues to move forward in an era of innovation and change. In the midst of a dynamic 21st-Century ministry landscape, NTS pursues the creative enterprise of intersecting rich academic discipline with “hands on” ministry service. With innovative initiatives, cooperative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to graduate theological education, Nazarene Theological Seminary is committed to being “A Missional Seminary Serving a Missional Church!”