Distance Education

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“So do you have distance courses?” This question made it apparent that LBS would need to offer distance education if it were to accomplish its mission. But that meant pursuing accreditation. Four years of hard work and substantial investment paid off when the seminary became fully accredited in 2013. With accreditation accomplished LBS immediately designed a distance education program. In this article Dr. Allan Bjerkaas, the Director of Distance Education for LBS, describes how it works. The stories that follow demonstrate the value of this investment.

BS launched a distance education program in September of 2013. Our approach blends two methods

of communication and assigns the student

In addition, the seminary has invested in software, which provides a place for the instructor to distribute materials to students as well as to collect and return assignments. This software provides the platform for conducting website discussions in chat rooms. Distance education at LBS has been designed so that the distance students have a learning experience that is nearly equivalent to that of the on-campus students, using both communication methods and the latest in communication technology.

Dr. Allan Bjerkaas serves Lutheran Brethren Seminary as the Director of Distance Education.

to a local mentor. The first method of communication involves students participating in real-time classes through internet teleconferencing. This means that distance students can see and hear the instructor as well as participate in classroom discussions. This works so well that one student said, “Even though I’ve never been to Fergus Falls, I feel like I’m really part of the class.” The other method includes the stuff of the internet: websites, online discussions, and the accessing of course materials. The classroom sessions and weekly online office hours between instructors and students are recorded using teleconferencing software so that both on-campus and distance students who are unable to attend can view and listen to sessions later.

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February 2014

Scott serves on the ministry staff at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot, ND. He is one of the leaders of the church staff who preaches frequently. Through the distance education program at LBS Scott is able to keep his position at Our Redeemer’s LBC while taking advanced courses in preaching.

Distance Education

(L to R): Scott, Maycee and Angela

SCOTT SKONESMINOT, ND

Matt serves in the worship ministry of Bethesda Lutheran Brethren Church in Eau Claire, WI. He is a talented musician who has recognized God’s call to ministry. Matt was going to wait until his wife finished her master’s degree before enrolling in seminary, but in light of distance education, he has decided to begin his studies while still living in Eau Claire.

Matt and Emily

MATT SCHWEITZEREAU CLAIRE, WI

n 2011 Maple Park Church hired Alan Johnson as the Director of Student Ministries. Upon graduation from

the University of Washington, Alan began attending the Lutheran Brethren Seminary via their distance education program. It is a gift to our church to have a young man on staff who is interested in theology and invested in the discipline of study. His seminary study lends credibility to his ministry and affirms our belief that theological education matters. A mutual benefit of long distance learning for Alan and Maple Park Church is that he can maintain his employment here at our church while continuing preparation for pastoral ministry. Alan benefits because he is able to alleviate some of the financial burdens, and the church benefits through his service.

Through the seminary, Alan can develop leadership skills while functioning as a student, a husband and friend. There are many areas of life that compete for attention, and Alan is learning to balance study, work, and family while attending seminary.

Rev. David Overland serves as Senior Pastor at Maple Park Church in Lynnwood WA.

A Mutual Benefit DAVID OVERLAND

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I grew up in a loving family with my parents and two sisters, but it wasn’t a Christian home. On May 3, 2008, my best friend Dave passed away tragically. My wife Katie was a Christian and would try to speak God’s Word to me but I wouldn’t listen. One day, I was talking with Dave’s mother and she told me the only thing that gets her through Dave’s passing is knowing that he is with his Heavenly Father. I had no idea what she meant by this, but I wanted to know more. For the next year I went on a search to find out who this God was! I would pray to God and say, “I don’t know anything about you.” I would beg him to reveal himself to me. Through these prayers God led me to many people who helped me hear his Word. He also led me to Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in East Hartland, CT. I went to a service there for the first time and felt something special. A few weeks later, I went to a men’s retreat held at Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center in Mount Bethel, PA. There I was given my first Bible and during that event God spoke clearly to me. My emotions took over and right in the hallway at Tuscarora I read the sinner’s prayer and told God I would follow him wherever he led. God has dramatically changed my life ever since. My wife Katie and I feel like we are starting a new generation for our family with Christ at the center and we thank God every day for a new life.

(L to R): Tj, Katie, Christopher, Tim and Hailee

TIM MAYEAST HARTLAND, CT

NEW STUDENTS AT LBS

UP 100%DAVID VEUM

ith 22 new students taking courses this year, enrollment at Lutheran Brethren Seminary is up 100% since 2011. Three factors have

contributed to this increase. W

ENROLLMENT

1. God’s people have been praying as our Lord commanded to ask him to “send workers into the harvest.”

2. The seminary has invested significantly in presenting the call to ministry. This past year alone LBS has added 60 names to its data base of persons considering God’s call.

3. Through strategic planning the Lord has led LBS to seek accreditation and to provide distance education. This process has enhanced the quality of education and made the training LBS offers accessible almost anywhere.

And this is only the beginning. Moving forward the 2013-2018 LBS Strategic Plan focuses on three major actions.

1.

• Developing an internship program to ensure that students get significant ministry experience while in seminary

• Preparing students spiritually and practically for serving in bi-vocational ministry

• Providing real experience in cross-cultural ministry in order to better communicate God’s Word in multi-cultural settings

2.

3.

• A one-year lay pastor training course• An elder training program • Courses in the Bible, doctrine, and

missions for adults

These actions necessitate staffing increases, which means increased investment. We are grateful for the generosity of our financial partners who invest in the ministry the Lord has given us to do.

Adding even more improvements to the program such as:

Expanding our program offerings to include emphases in youth ministry, Christian education, and chaplaincy.

Developing, in 2014, lay ministry training. Such a program could include:

hoisted my laptop bag over my shoulder, preparing to head home from seminary. As I was passing through the lounge area I overheard a conversation: Calvary Community Church in Fullerton, California

was looking for an Associate Pastor. This news piqued my interest because my wife received a promotion at her job and they expressed interest in having her transfer to the headquarters of her audit group about twenty minutes from Fullerton—the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me and ignited a fire within me to seek out this position. After an e-mail and an interview with Pastor Jim Erickson, the church decided to fly our family out to candidate for the position. The whole candidating experience only confirmed what the Lord had in mind for Calvary Community Church and my family. A week later we received a letter of call. From the first e-mail of interest to the acceptance letter, the process took about two months. The same week I sent out the letter of acceptance, Shelly’s transfer to California was approved. God opened doors so fast on this process that the two months felt like two weeks. Now, as if that wasn’t enough to make our heads spin, God had one more surprise for our family. At Shelly’s twenty-week prenatal appointment, the ultrasound tech announced, “Twins!” Shelly and I were shocked and excited. What made the move possible for us is Lutheran Brethren Seminary’s newly accredited online learning program. I can be a part-time student and a part-time pastor because this new program will allow me to finish my schooling while I serve God and his church in Fullerton. In my opinion, being in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to attend seminary would be the preferred choice. The technology cannot duplicate being involved in the seminary community and taking part in the friendships that form there. Yet, the administration and faculty of our seminary are to be credited for implementing distance education for those seeking full-time or part-time learning. Today’s demands on families, churches, and pastors make it so that a three-year stay in Fergus Falls can be difficult, if not impossible. Distance education makes it possible for my family and others with similar stories to serve God and be trained up “according to his purpose for them,” wherever we may be.

Pastor Seth Leivestad is a third year seminary student completing his degree online while serving as Associate Pastor at Calvary Community Church in Fullerton, CA.

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Surfing Through SeminarySETH LEIVESTAD

Dr. David Veum is President of Lutheran Brethren Seminary.

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