CBTE Learning

Introduction

Columbia Biblical Seminary offers an alternative model of pastoral education that incorporates a competency-based theological education (CBTE) model for two Master’s programs: MA in Ministry Studies and MDiv in Ministry Studies. The purpose of the Church-Centered CBTE initiative is to assist local congregations in equipping emerging leaders for enduring effectiveness by delivering formal theological education in contexts specific to their ministries under the guidance of experienced pastoral mentors.

Description

Competency-Based Theological Education provides an online orientation to each competency and assessment projects students will complete to demonstrate their competence in the area of study. Participants then work with one or more field mentors in their ministry context to develop the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate competency in a given ministry area (e.g., ministry leadership, preaching, etc.). When participants and their mentors believe they are ready to demonstrate competency in an area, they register for a three-hour course and submit a competency assessment project. Participants work at their own pace and may demonstrate as many or as few competencies as they wish in a given semester as their ministry commitments permit. They also have the option to choose the sequence in which they pursue the required competencies. Competency-based study focuses on disciplines related to practical ministry. If a student believes it would be more beneficial to take the eight-week online course in the area of practical ministry, they are allowed to do that in place of completing a competency assessment project.

For core knowledge areas, such as biblical languages, Old Testament introduction, and theology courses, students can take residential or eight-week online courses. For more contextually sensitive areas, such as preaching, leadership, and spiritual formation, a mentor or a mentor team will design a way for the student to demonstrate competency for a particular course, such as completion of a structured project within their local congregation and ministry community.