New Program Helps Students Attend Seminary Online

T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House Partner with Eastern University to Offer Online Graduate-Level Seminary Curriculum

DALLAS, July 1, 2010—To help overcome some of the time and financial challenges of going to seminary, The Potter's House of Dallas, Inc. has partnered with Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University to offer online seminary training.  "Openseminary" is an online program designed to help pastors and church leaders pursue graduate-level studies while maintaining their existing ministry, work or family schedules. 

Located in Wynnewood, Pa., Eastern University offers theological training to full-time ministry leaders wishing to further their theological education.  The Openseminary program is designed to offer maximum flexibility by overcoming the time and residency commitments typically associated with continuing education.  A limited residency requirement enables students to spend three weeks each at Eastern University and The Potter's House in Dallas.  

"We believe in building leadership from within," said Bishop T.D. Jakes.  "Our collaboration with Eastern University enables The Potter's House to equip leaders locally so they may meet the spiritual needs of the world beyond our four walls."

The three-year Openseminary course leads to a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) designation.  The curriculum is delivered in six online modules that each focus on a specific aspect of ministry.  Each module lasts 21 weeks. 

The innovative program also features an "open" enrollment, which allows students to enter at select times during the academic year.  Openseminary is scheduled to launch this August as a pilot program, and will roll out nationally in stages to be announced at a later date.

"This partnership bridges exemplary Christian leadership that exists at The Potter's House with a formal theological academic degree," said Travis Simons, director of Christian Education at The Potter's House.  "By offering Palmer Theological Seminary courses online, we are able to meet the needs of working leaders requiring a more flexible program of study."

To demonstrate its commitment to training future church leaders, the inaugural graduating class of Eastern University's Palmer Theological Seminary at The Potter's House will feature a one-time designation of "T. D. Jakes Scholars."  This first class of an estimated 150 students will participate in sessions taught by Bishop Jakes and receive an inscribed diploma.

By extending its base to Dallas, Eastern University is able to tap into the next generation of culturally, racially, gender and denominationally diverse church leaders.  With a membership of some 30,000 people, The Potter's House is one of the most influential and multicultural mega churches in the U.S.  

"Eastern University's commitment to the "whole Gospel" is evident through its emphasis on training leaders to reach the unreached territories," said Dr. David Black, president of Eastern University.  "By partnering with The Potter's House of Dallas we are able to identify and train leaders with a heart to change the world through service."

The fully accredited Master of Theological Studies allows all of the interaction with professors of the university setting without the need to uproot family and work to attend.  For Openseminary FAQs, applications, program requirements and fees, please visit www.thepottershouse.org/openseminary.

An informational session on the Openseminary will be held Saturday, July 10, 2010 at The Potters House, located at 6777 W. Kiest Blvd. Dallas, TX 75236. For more information on the meeting time and session agenda, contact Travis Simons at openseminary@tdjakes.org or visit The Potter's House website calendar at www.thepottershouse.org.

About The MTS Program

The Openseminary MTS program is a part-time professional academic degree that enables students to explore the vast and rich practices, literatures, institutions, languages, and normative nuances that are unique to our religious traditions.  It also enables students to think critically and deeply with sophistication about historical and current social issues that are present within society, the global church as well as local congregations.  This degree will train students for teaching, scholarly research, and will cultivate intellectual reflection.  This degree combines the intensive study of theology with practical ministry. 

About The Potter's House

A globally recognized church of more than 30,000 members located in Dallas, The Potter's House strives to be the voice and the hand that encourages people of all creeds and cultures to change their lives with hope, comfort and peace.  The church is led by Bishop T. D. Jakes, twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and as one of this nation's "25 most influential evangelicals."  www.tdjakes.org.

About Eastern University

Eastern is a co-educational Christian university that integrates faith, reason and justice for its 4,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, Seminary, urban, international and accelerated adult programs. Eastern was named to the Templeton Honor Roll of Character-building Colleges and the Honor Roll of Exemplary First-year Programs.  Eastern has an interdenominational Christian student body and is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA. It was founded in 1925 and now consists of Palmer Theological Seminary, the Templeton Honors College, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies, and Esperanza College of Eastern University. For more information, visit www.eastern.edu.

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