Through partnerships with local churches, the Program for Theological Education by Extension (PTEE) believes they can obtain the future renewal of their accreditation for their affordable, accessible online programs serving believers across the Arab world.
Rick Weymouth, who serves as PTEE’s director of e-learning, explains that while PTEE recently received accreditation renewal for their regular face-to-face programs, they’re already preparing for the future of PTEE’s online education.
“We’re accredited by the Asia Theological Association. We’re also accredited by the Middle East and North African Association for Theological Education. One of the things the accrediting agencies are saying to us is that you have to continue to offer online education in a holistic fashion,” he says.
“Holistic means that we are not just training the students in terms of growing their knowledge and understanding of the Bible, critical thinking skills and intellectual formation, but we’re also involved in spiritual formation, character formation, practical ministry formation, and ministry skill formation.”
While the online curriculum certainly covers these topics, PTEE recognizes the key role of mentorships and relationships in the development of their students. Weymouth says this is where local church partnerships come in.
“In order to gain accreditation for our online programs in the future, we will have to engage in an intentional partnership with the churches of each of our students,” he explains. “Our students will put us in touch with leaders in their church to provide accountability and an assessment of how they’re growing in those spiritual and ministry formation areas, including character formation.”
SOURCE: Mission Network News, Rachel Pfeiffer
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