IMPLICATIONS OF THEOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGYFOR ONLINE PEDAGOGY IN GRADUATE-LEVEL

MINISTERIAL TRAINING

By: Gabriel Etzel

Theology(Theological

Anthropology)

Pedagogy(Ministry Training)

Technology(Online)

ATS Standards of Accreditation for M.Div. Programs

1. Religious Heritage

2. Cultural Context

3. Personal and Spiritual Formation

4. Capacity for Ministerial and Public Leadership

Three Specific Areas Addressed in Research

1. Role of the Faculty Member

2. Objectives of the Classroom

3. Purpose of the Institution

What does it mean that humanity is created in the Image of God?

Mankind is created in the Image of God Son-ship (relationship to God)Ruler-ship (relationship to others)

Mankind represents God to others and to God's creation

Mankind's creation in the Image of God is ultimately a statement about God

Jesus Christ is the true Image of God

What are the implications of humanity’s creation in the Image of God?

Role of the Faculty Member

Mankind is to be conformed into Christ's Image (Rom 8:29)

Apostle Paul uses himself as a model of spiritual formation for others to follow (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17)

Role of the Faculty Member: A Model to Follow

Objectives of the Classroom

Christ models spiritual formation through obedience to Heavenly Father and humility (Phil 2)

Spiritual formation is a transformed mind (Rom 12:1, 2)

Objectives of the Classroom: Formation-centered

Purpose of the Institution

Apostle Paul views ministerial effectiveness as obedience to Christ (Phil 3:7-11)

Apostle Paul considered himself a slave of Christ (Rom 6; 1 Cor 9)

Purpose of the Institution: Ministerial Effectiveness

What are the application points of humanity’s creation in the Image of God for graduate-level ministerial training?

Role of the Faculty Member: A Model to Follow

In order to have faculty members who are models for students to follow: Prioritize theological competencies ahead of technological and pedagogical competencies when hiring faculty.

In order to have faculty members who are models for students to follow: Prioritize the faculty member's ongoing spiritual formation in the development and evaluation of theological, pedagogical, and technological competencies.

Objectives of the Classroom: Formation-centered

In order to establish formation-centered classrooms: The faculty member should utilize social presence within online courses that prioritizes the formation of students over the learning of students.

In order to establish formation-centered classrooms: The faculty member should create community with and among students, beyond social presence, that prioritizes the formation of students over the learning of students.

Purpose of the Institution: Ministerial Effectiveness

In order to develop the ministerial effectiveness of the student: Online graduate-level ministerial training should extend beyond the online classroom by utilizing the student's local church context for the spiritual formation and ministerial preparation of the student.

In order to develop the ministerial effectiveness of the student: Online graduate-level ministerial training should elevate the formation of the student as a minister of the gospel within the local church over the retention of the student or the knowledge gained by the student.

Questions/Comments