Passionate about the Church? culturally aware, thoughtful and reflective? Ready to learn from those on the ground?
Openseminary aims to equip leaders for the church who are able to think critically and constructively about the ways in which the church shapes its life to respond to what God is doing in our world!
Openseminary networks educational institutions, academics and practitioners to provide graduate level education.
Complete a degree in Australia through Tabor Victoria and in South Africa and the United States of America through Palmer Seminary of Eastern University.
Integrity The curriculum uses the practices of the local church as the lenses of study rather than the traditional subject divisions of theological study. Each one of these lenses becomes the focus of a module of study. The traditional subjects of theological study and the social sciences are explored through a reading program in order to integrate theory and practice.
Relationality Students learn not only to achieve as individuals but also as communities of learners. Pastors, ministry practitioners and academics team to deliver this program. The course draws on the best practices and theories explored and implemented by the Church and theologians.
Flexibility Students meet in cohort groups of 3-5 students throughout the semester to study material which is provided through the internet. Cohort groups convene weekly to engage with their professor’s guided study directives, conduct field research and implement ministry plans.
Methodology In every module students spend 3 months reading material related to the module topic. The reading is provided through the internet and prescribed text and references. During this first phase in the module, cohort groups embark on a research project to discover the emerging questions in the light of traditional answers. The second phase involves four and a half days on-site experience at a teaching church to learn from pastors, college faculty and peers. In the third phase students write personal theologies about the church practice being studied and implement a ministry plan to address a pastoral concern.
Accessibility The course requires one week of on-site, intensive study per module. Those with a Bachelors degree and one year of ministry experience qualify. A limited number of students who have extensive ministry experience in church leadership but who are without undergraduate degrees may also qualify to enroll in the Openseminary at Palmer.
"Learning skills from the best exponents is an empowering privilege. I commend Tabor in this new leadership development venture.
May it prosper under the hand of God."
- Allan Meyer, Careforce
*"We've got to act our way into a new way of thinking, and not think our way into a new way of being. Openseminary at Tabor as a context based, action reflection method of learning provides such an opportunity"
- Alan Hirsch (Forge)