Church-Based Education

BILD International University's

Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development

In the Antioch tradition of "the way of Christ and His Apostles," BILD International is announcing the launch of a unique higher education institution, BILD International University's Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development. The Antioch School brings together church-based theological education and academic degrees to serve churches and church planting networks in the U.S. and around the world. The new school is an innovative, visionary, and mission institution rooted firmly on biblical concepts of in-service, nonformal ministry training.

The school is distinctive because it is church-based and competency-based. Students admitted to the degree programs must be participating with a BILD International partner (a church association/denomination, church planting movement, Bible college/seminary, mission agency, or local church using BILD resources and with certified BILD leaders). Credit and degrees will be granted on the basis of rigorous assessment of competencies, not necessarily courses or traditional educational experiences. The faculty of the Antioch School will provide academic quality control and oversight of church-based theological education portfolio assessment of ministry competency outcomes.

The academic model being followed is the competency-based approach of Western Governors University (WGU), an accredited higher education institution. Nineteen governors of mostly western U.S. states collaborated to facilitate the use of the online education resources, but created something much more innovative. Students admitted to WGU programs work with mentors to design individual development plans that may include taking online courses at various institutions, but also engaging in other types of learning, such as nonformal education. The WGU faculty developed a variety of assessment tools that are used to determine when students have accomplished the competencies of a degree program. The primary functions of the university leading to the granting of degrees are advising and assessment. Although the school launched only in 1999, it already has more than 5,200 students.

What degrees will be offered? [see chart for more details]

Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of competencies associated with preparation of ministers of the gospel. Master of Ministry (M.Min.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of advanced competencies. Certificates of Ministry (C.Min.) will be granted for demonstration of lesser competencies.

Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of competencies associated with building biblical theology and theology-in-culture. Master of Theology (M.Th.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of advanced competencies. Certificates of Theology (C.Th.) will be granted for demonstration of lesser competencies.

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of competencies associated with understanding the philosophical foundations of church-based theological education.

Doctor of Theology (D.Th.) degrees will be granted for demonstration of competencies associated with major contributions to biblical theology in culture.

Why should a church-based theological education ministry offer academic degrees?

Many of us have been much more impacted by the formal education paradigm than we may want to admit. This is seen in the motivation and seriousness with which many attend to academic endeavors, especially major projects. Offering academic credentials for a nonformal, church-based program will improve the quality of work done by many participants.

The institutional self-evaluation emphasis of contemporary accreditation of higher education will provide additional impetus for continuous quality improvement of the nonformal, church-based program.

Higher education credentials are a deeply ingrained aspect of modern culture, not just in theological education. Credit and degrees function like cultural "currency" throughout the US and the world. Offering degrees allows for individuals and networks to leverage the benefits of academic currency, as well as ministry competencies. The availability of degrees from an accredited institution, as well as high level ministry competency, will help gain the initial interest and support of many existing churches and church networks, even though the ultimate result will be a more accurate understanding of qualifications and credentials for ministry.

This innovative program will provide leadership in the theological education industry and impact the theological education paradigm (as well as higher education in general) because it closely links academic credentials with actual ministry competencies. In a world in which academic degrees often don't really mean what they are assumed to mean, these degrees will be truly meaningful and accurate. Although there is academic oversight by faculty, the fundamental role of supervision and assessment is maintained by church leaders with God-given mandates for the development of their ministers.

An academic program that relies heavily on partnership with churches and church planting networks allows for the allocation of resources to maximize support for the spontaneous expansion of the Gospel. In the US, degrees can be offered for about 10-20% of the cost of traditional campus-based theological education. In some parts of the world, it will be as low as 1%, yet with tremendous success in accomplishing substantial outcomes.

Offering degrees does not mean that those with degrees are more competent than those without degrees. In fact, academic credentials are only one version of a subset of ministry credentials. For instance, it is not the role of an academic program to determine calling, giftedness, and fruitfulness in ministry, rather, this is the role of a church or church network. Similarly, although some character assessment is built into the academic program, the type of character necessary to be effective in ministry calls for assessment beyond what can be done in an academic program. There is nothing that can be done in an academic program that can't also be done in a non-academic program. It is largely a matter of recognizing the role of academic degrees in our contemporary cultural setting. Churches and church networks must see degrees for what they are, but also look beyond to the larger realm of biblical qualifications for ministry.

What will it cost?

The sponsoring church or church network will need to invest in the training and infrastructure to partner with BILD International to offer in-service ministry training. Regular training will be available at the BILD International Resource Center in Ames, Iowa (where the church from which BILD came is located). There is no charge for the training held in Ames of those who are leading programs that have identified 10 or more prospective students. There may be registration and travel expenses to pay for training in other locations or in other formats.

Tuition for individual students in the U.S. will be about 10-20% of the cost of traditional campus-based Bible colleges and seminaries, plus there will not be the costs of relocating to a campus. Costs may be as little as 1% in other parts of the world, depending on factors such as cost-of-living and the nature of the BILD partnership.

An initial payment will allow one to begin the Bachelor and Masters programs, obtain supplemental materials, and receive portfolio assessment. Additional monthly payments (or upfront annual payments) must be made to maintain good standing in the program and continue provision of services for the period of time indicated for the program.

There will be additional costs for supplemental materials, such as instructional materials, textbooks, Logos 3 software and resources, and SIMA personal analysis.

When will it start?

A few pilot programs will begin in Fall 2006. These are based in programs of U.S. partners whose leaders have already been trained and who are already engaged in nonformal, church-based theological education programs using BILD resources.

We hope for 10-20 beta/charter programs to begin in January 2007 with partners whose leaders have been trained and are ready to launch programs. If you are interested in sponsoring a beta program, please contact BILD as soon as possible, especially if you need to take advantage of our training opportunities in Fall 2007.

The full launch of the Antioch School is scheduled for Fall 2007. We hope to launch with 100 partner programs. Training for leaders will be offered in various places, formats, and times.

Note that because the programs are competency-based, there will be mechanisms for retroactive assessment of competencies for those in existing partner programs.

How can my church/network participate?

Step 1. Express interest and provide information by clicking here, or contact the BILD International Office by calling 515/292-7012 or emailing info@bild. org.

Step 2. Make plans to participate in leader training. The next opportunity will be November 6-11, 2006 in Ames, Iowa. If there is sufficient interest, we may also conduct training at other times

Step 3. Develop a BILD partner program, including rigorous outcomes assessment portfolios and opportunities for students to earn degrees.

How long will it take to earn degrees?

Most programs can be completed in 2-3 years based upon BILD's recommended pace. Actual length will vary depending on background, pace, and program of each partner. Further, not everyone in each program develops at the same pace of in the same manner, so actual length may vary for students in programs with the same partner church or church network.

What is the sequence of degrees?

Students should begin with Ministry degree programs (B.Min. or M.Min.), based on the level of competency they seek and are able to acquire.

Students may then proceed to the Theology degree programs (B.Th. or M.Th.). However, the M.Min. and M.Th. will be more demanding programs if one hasn't already earned the B.Min. and/or B.Th.

B.Min. 2 B.Min. 2 B.Min. 2

B.Th. 2 B.Th. 2

M.Min. 2 M.Min. 2 M.Min. 3

M.Th. 2 M.Th. 3 M.Th. 3 M.Th. 3

What if someone has already completed training with BILD resources?

Because the program is competency-based, students who have already completed BILD training (or developed competency in other ways) may be assessed to determine whether they already meet particular program requirements.

How is the program accredited?

It is our intention for the school to be accredited by agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the U.S. We will begin, as did Western Governors University (WGU), with the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), the leading national accrediting agency that specialized in innovative approaches to higher education. DETC is recognized as the accrediting agency that takes most seriously outcomes assessment. DETC provides accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for a wide variety of higher education institutions, including ministry training schools such as Global University (the distance education school of the Assemblies of God), the Catholic Distance University, and other specialized schools, such as the distributed learning schools of the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps (three of the country's largest higher education institutions). DETC accreditation could be obtained as early as March 2007.

It is also our intention to seek accreditation from other agencies. The North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission (NCA) is the regional accrediting agency in the U.S. that provides general accreditation for Iowa State University (the major university in the same city as the BILD International headquarters). However, a school must be operating and granting degrees before it can apply. Fortunately, NCA is the most innovative and progressive of the regional accrediting associations. Within a few years of beginning operation, we expect to apply for accreditation with NCA which will probably be a 2-3 year process (with major renewal processes every ten years at most).
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the most well-known accrediting association for graduate theological education in North America, but currently doesn't even allow traditional members to offer complete distance education programs. It is more likely that we will seek accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), formerly known as the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC). ABHE has recently revised its criteria to avoid discriminating against schools and programs on the basis on their delivery system. The new criteria of ABHE are focused on outcomes assessment and quality assurance. It is possible that the accreditation processes of ABHE and NCA could be combined.

As appropriate to support partners in other parts of the world, we will also seek accreditation through the continental associations of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE), such as the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) and Asia Theological Association (ATA).

How else is the program recognized?

Accreditation is only one source of recognition. Other significant recognition comes in the form of commendation or endorsement by key individuals and organizations which we will announce to support the official launch of the school in Fall 2007.

Key individuals stating their support for the concept and quality of the Antioch School will include well-known leaders in formal and nonformal theological education, as well as others in ministry training, missions and church planting, and various areas of nontraditional higher education (adult education, experiential learning, service learning, and distance education).

Organizations, such as denominations, formal theological education institutions, and mission agencies will indicate their support for the school and articulate how it relates to the operation of their organizations.

Who are the leaders of the Antioch School?

Stephen Kemp will serve as Academic Dean.

Kemp has already done much to lay the groundwork for these degrees, accreditation, and other recognition. For instance, he has been a key leader in ACCESS (the Christian distance and accessible education association) for more than 15 years and is currently its president. Through their invitations to present at ACCESS conferences, Kemp has been able to learn much and develop relationships with accreditation leaders, such as Michael Lambert (DETC Executive Director) and Steven Crow (NCA Executive Director), as well as other key innovators in higher education, such as Jay Klagge (University of Phoenix, VP of Institutional Research and Effectiveness), Jason Baker (Professor, Regent University and author of Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education), and Russell West (Professor, Asbury Theological Seminary). Kemp is active in conferences and interaction with leaders of the main accrediting agencies for theological education (ABHE, ATS, ICETE). In fact, he was a member of the committee that rewrote the accrediting criteria for ABHE and serves as a non-traditional education advisor for them. Kemp is currently editing a handbook for ABHE on benchmarks of quality in alternative academic patterns.

Kemp is also an active participant and/or conference presenter in other education associations, such as the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), North American Professors of Christian Education (NAPCE), Christian Adult Higher Education Association (CAHEA), Association of Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME), the Ted Ward Consultation (an annual gathering of those interested in nonformal education), the American Society of Missiology (ASM), and the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE). He also serves on the board of Trainers of Pastors International Coalition (TOPIC) and the Evangelical Training Association (ETA). Kemp himself is an active participant in the higher education world from a student's perspective through Loyola University Chicago's Ph.D. program in Higher Education. His dissertation title is "Experiential Learning and the Role of Primary Social Relationships As Contexts for Situated Learning in Distance Education Courses of Evangelical Theological Education Institutions."

Kemp serves as an Associate Pastor of Oakwood Road Church in Ames, Iowa. His responsibilities include oversight of the incorporation of new members, youth, and midweek fellowship, as well as a variety of teaching, preaching, mentoring, and counseling. Previously, Kemp served as elder and teacher for Beach Bible Church in Zion, Illinois and as deacon for North Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Deerfield, Illinois. While a student on campus at Moody Bible Institute in the early 1980s, he also planted a church on the north side of Chicago that continues today. He has served Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) as Associate Dean of Distance and Nontraditional Education (1990-1997) and Moody Bible Institute (MBI) as Vice-President and Dean of External Studies (1997-2001). He left MBI for the strategic opportunity of serving with BILD.

· Jeff Reed will serve as the President.

The foundation for BILD itself was laid by Jeff Reed. He is the founder and CEO of BILD International, founded in 1986 in response to the request in India to produce church-based resources and training for pastors there. He developed training systems including seminars and resources for church-based ministerial preparation, based on Scripture so they could be used in any culture. He also teaches church-based theological education seminars throughout the United States and in over twenty countries and helped establish leadership training programs in over sixteen of those countries.

Reed has been mentored by a wide array of tremendous leaders: Ted Ward, in Missions, Theology in Culture, Christian Education, and Theological Education; Art Miller, in Lifelong Learning; Tom McCallie, in Philanthropy, Theological Education, and Missions; Walter Kaiser, in Hermeneutics and Biblical Theology; Jacques Alexanian, in Theological Education; David Hesselgrave, in Missions; Elliott Johnson, in Hermeneutics; and Gene Getz, in Church Renewal. Reed's personal library contains 12,000 volumes with more than 500 new books acquired each year through a Life Development Reading Guide and added to the library using Adler's system. He produces materials that require broad exposure to theological and developmental resources and developed a program for Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom program for himself and as part of the BILD resources and church's Ministry Apprenticeship Training.

As CEO of BILD, Reed casts vision, seeks funding, and oversees the Directors of North American Partnerships, International Partnerships, and Institutional Partnerships. He travels frequently to international projects to give advanced training and consultation to leaders of movements of churches. Reed is preparing and providing church-based resources, workshops, paradigmatic articles and books, and life development resources. He is equipping and leading a "Pauline team" of key leaders of churches throughout the U.S. who participate with BILD in assisting U.S. churches and BILD's international projects in establishing their churches and movements of churches.

As Senior Pastor of Oakwood Road Church (formerly Ontario Bible Church), Reed directs the ministry vision, leads the pastoral team, guides decision making with the elders, mentors the elders, preaches September through December and various other occasions, oversees the preaching schedule, leads the Lord's Suppers, counsels special cases, and leads new Deacon training.

Reed's publications include: The Paradigm Papers: New Paradigms for the Postmodern Church, 6 articles that define church-based leadership training and its implications in churches; Other paradigmatic papers; The Paradigm Transformation Projects, 5 D.Min./seminar-type courses; The Leadership Series, 25 course curriculum (advanced versions are comparable to advanced seminary courses; basic versions are comparable to Bible college advanced level courses); the BILD Leadership Portfolio System for Assessment and Recognition; The Establishing Series, 4 courses; The First Principles Series, 13 courses; Teaching The First Principles: First Principles of Leading The First Principles, Leader's Guide; 7^th Priority Life Development Portfolio (revised as Lifeⁿ: Life Stewardship in Community); 4^th Generation Life Cycle System; Parenting with a Plan, seminar system for training parents; and the Introduction to Planting Churches Cross-Culturally, by David Hesselgrave. He has also developed and taught seminars to leaders of over 3000 churches.

Although Jeff Reed is not a graduate (or even enrolled) of a formal theological education (or even any formal higher education institution), he is an extremely well-educated person. He has spent his career building opportunities for others to be trained nonformally and effectively. Yet, even he says that he has finally found an academic degree program in which he would have enrolled if it were available 35 years ago!