Educating Baptist Pastors and Church Leaders in Belize

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1 Fourth Draft April 3, 2006 Educating Baptist Pastors and Church Leaders in Belize The Need We are concerned to assist the Baptist pastors and other church leaders in Belize to have the education they need to lead their churches and plant new ones. When the IMB withdrew from Belize they closed the Spanish speaking seminary in Honduras and the English speaking school across the Caribbean. So, there is nowhere for the leaders to receive an education from a solid Baptist perspective. When this the need became apparent, CBF leaders Dennis Hipp, Ray Howell and others initiated a good relationship with the Baptist leaders in Belize and, sponsored by CBF churches of North Carolina, offered excellent Pastor Training week-end seminars on a Friday-Saturday schedule in May 2003, May and February 2004, and May and November Learning about the need from Dennis Hipp in 2003, Bob Lamb taught in the Seminar in May 2004, and worked to bring the Baptist Bible School of Belize on line in January 2006 to add a more comprehensive course of study for those who desired it. The approach is designed to be The Baptist Bible School of Belize theologically sound Baptist in approach in English as a common language offered by a recognized, accredited seminary well-balanced in subject offerings well designed and researched educationally The program of study recognizes those who completed the course of study with a certificate. The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry requires the successful completion of 20 courses; the Christian Worker s Certificate requires the successful completion of 10 courses. The curriculum chosen is offered through the External Studies Program of Cape Town Baptist Seminary in South Africa and meets the criteria outlined. The seminary is part of the Baptist Union of South Africa and is accredited by the Department of Education of South Africa. Dr. Lamb trusts the seminary having taught there on two occasions. He came to like the TEE material they use in their External Studies Program when he used it teaching in a bush pastor s school in Kenya on two other occasions. TEE (Theological Education by Extension) courses were developed in Africa and are written in English. The TEE model of theological education was developed so students could continue to live in their traditional villages, work for their support, and serve a

2 church while studying. Typically, the students use the programmed instruction books under the guidance of a tutor who meets with them two hours each week and furnishes a final evaluation to the school which offers the extension program. The TEE approach was thought to be compatible with the needs of the bivocational pastors of Belize. Dr. Lamb modeled the Baptist Bible School of Belize after the one in which he taught in Kenya. Courses are offered In a three cycle. Pastors come to a central location and live there for one week three times each year During the week of instruction the students have three courses introduced in five sessions of two hours each led by an instructor from the United States. This gives faculty members the opportunity to show the students how the process works, introduce each course, and provide additional instruction, discussion, assignments, and role playing to supplement the texts. Students finish reading the texts and doing the written assignments at home. This allows students to continue to minister in their home setting while studying. Rather than have tutors, students and faculty members at the School in January 2006 decided to use a buddy system in which each student is responsible to encourage one other student. Students are carefully matched so as to be geographically close. In addition, the Executive Secretary-Treasurer is to bring the students together for a time of encouragement and sharing. Tests are administered by the school at the beginning of the next week of training. Only students who complete previous courses are allowed to continue to study new courses. The seminary in Cape Town keeps official records and awards certificates. The Stateside Administrator also keeps copies of the enrollment and progress files. Some North Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina churches support the work by underwriting the budget for materials, supplies, and the administrative and travel costs by the state-side Administrator. Teachers from the United States underwrite their own expenses when they go to teach. The students pastors, pastors-in-training, and women who are members of churches in the Baptist Association in Belize, receive scholarships from NCCBF which cover the cost of tuition, and books. The students pay for room, board, and transportation to the weeklong training sessions. They also contribute their time to attend the three intensive weeks scheduled each year. The only limitation to the participation of women is that their number enrolled is not to be greater than that of the men. Preference is given to wives of BAB pastors enrolled in the school.

3 Other Christians may also participate, but must pay the BAB for tuition and materials in addition to their room, board, and transportation. Footnote: Requests for exceptions to these policies must be reviewed and approved by the Administrator of the Baptist Bible School of Belize.. Suggested Administrative Chart Larry Hovis, CBFNC Coordinator Linda Jones, CBFNC Missions Coordinator (or Rick Jordan, Education Coordinator), Lay Coordinator for Belize Missions (LCBM) Robert Lamb, Administrator of the Baptist Bible School of Belize (ABBSB) All the above work in close cooperation with Rev. Antolino Flores, Belize Baptist Executive Secretary-Treasurer (EST) Job Description for the Administrator of the Baptist Bible School of Belize (ABBSB) 1. Administer the school. 2. In consultation with the LCBM, prepare and recommend an annual budget. 3. Secure curriculum materials from the Cape Town Baptist Theological Seminary. 4. Outline an academic calendar in consultation with the LCBM and the EST. 5. Enlist and place teachers in consultation with the LCBM. 6. Promote the school in cooperation with CBFNC, the LCBM, and the EST. The Course of Study Cape Town Baptist Seminary offers a choice between two different kinds of books for most courses: Theological Education by Extension (TEE) texts published by Evangel Press in Nairobi, and Carib materials first developed by the Spanish Baptist Publishing House in El Paso, Texas, and now published in Africa. After consulting with a group of pastors in Belize and talking with their Executive Committee, we use the simpler TEE books when that choice is available. As far as possible, course offerings are planned in a three year cycle so that in each term the student s studies include both some Biblical and some practical Theology courses. New students may enter the stream of courses at any point, but the ideal approach is to gain a good foundation in the Biblical survey courses before moving on to the more advanced subjects.

4 Courses Offered 1. Old Testament Survey Part I* Texts: Looking at the Old Testament 1 Looking at the Old Testament 2 2. Old Testament Survey, Part II* Texts: Looking at the Old Testament 3 Looking at the Old Testament 4 3. Old Testament Exegesis Text: Isaiah 4. New Testament Survey Part I* Texts: New Testament Survey 1 New Testament Survey 2 5. New Testament Survey Part II* Texts: New Testament Survey 3 New Testament Survey 4 6. New Testament Exegesis Text: Romans 7. Hermeneutics* Test: The Bible and Its Interpretation 8. Homiletics Text: Preaching from the Old Testament 9. Doctrine* Text: Foundations of Faith 10. Evangelism* Text: A Church Programme of Evangelism 11. Church History* Text: Lessons from the Past for the Church 12. Ethics* Text: Christian Family Living 13. Church Administration Text: The Shepherd and His Work 14. Pastoral Care and Counseling Text: 1 Corinthians

5 15. Stewardship Text: Caring for God s Things 16. Missions Text: Starting and Strengthening New Churches 17. Comparative Religion Text: Living Non-Christian Religions 18. Baptist Principles Texts: Baptist Basics Baptists: A Short History 19. and 20. Two (2) Subjects chosen from the following: Advanced Preaching, Music and Worship Prayer Psychology Theology Book Studies Eschatology Certificates Awarded The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry is awarded to students who complete all twenty (20) courses listed above. The Christian Worker s Certificate is awarded to students who complete ten (10) courses including the nine (9) courses listed above marked by an asterisk and one (1) elective chosen from the following group: Missions Worship Church Administration Pastoral Care Old Testament Exegesis New Testament Exegesis Prayer Comparative Religion Baptist Principles