UCC - Andover Newton, Alban Institute to team up to provide continuing ed online

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Andover Newton, Alban Institute to team up to provide continuing ed online

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> February 22, 2011
> []

Forging a cooperative venture to provide online
continuing education experiences for clergy and
laity, UCC-related Andover Newton Theological
Seminary in Newton Centre, Mass., and The Alban
Institute will join forces in fall 2012 to offer
courses in church leadership and vitality.

> The new collaboration will draw on the
> traditional strengths of both institutions,
> offering high-quality, reasonably priced,
> interactive, educational experiences delivered to participants? computers.

Beginning in September 2012, Alban and Andover
Newton will sponsor four-week, online seminars
using Andover Newton?s online learning system and
Alban?s authors as instructors.

?The collaboration between Andover Newton and
Alban represents an innovation that continues to
expand the definition of theological education
beyond degree programming, and ultimately serves
the churches,? says the Rev. Barbara J. Blodgett,
UCC?s minister for vocation and formation in the
UCC?s Parish Life and Leadership Ministry.
?Lifelong learning is becoming the new norm for
church leaders, gradually replacing an old
mind-set whereby you went to school to learn
everything you needed to know and then went to work and applied it.?

Known as Empowerment Seminars, the sessions will
enable participants to converse wtih the authors
of significant Alban books on congregation renewal and leadership.

Primarily intended for clergy continuing

education, the seminars also will be open to lay
persons active in leadership roles. The seminars
will be promoted by Andover Newton and Alban,
with registration available on both of their websites.

?The changes that are taking place in

congregations today require all of us who are
committed to their support to look for new ways
to do that,? says Jeff Jones, director of
Distance Learning at Andover Newton, one of seven
seminaries with prominent ties to the UCC.

Offerings for fall 2012 are ?Leading in the
Congregation? (Oct. 11-Nov. 5; register by Oct.
1), taught by Jones; and ?Tending to the Holy:
Practicing the Presence of God in Ministry (Oct.
25-Nov. 19; register by Oct. 15), taught by Bruce Epperly.

Founded in 1807, Andover Newton is the nation?s
oldest theological school and its first graduate
institution of any kind. It has trained some of
the nation?s most innovative and influential
leaders and continues to break new ground in
theological education. Andover Newton?s student
body represents more than 30 faiths and denominations.

The Alban Institute was founded in 1974 as a
major resource for U.S. congregations facing the
challenges of a changing society. It is widely
regarded for its knowledge and experience in
congregational vitality and positive trends
across denominations and faith traditions.

?Today?s leaders realize that they need to do
more than stay abreast of developments in their
field,? says Blodgett. ?They must continue to
learn wholly new ministry skills ?? and even
unlearn some old ones ?? throughout their
careers. Today?s theological schools are responding to meet the need.?

To register, pay fees and learn more, log onto www.ants.edu/learn.