About a year ago I published an article here at Magic city morning star news entitled: What you don't know about studying Theology in which I wrote:

• I discovered for instance that theology is apparently an extremely versatile degree that can be used when one wants to work not only for religious institutions, but also in hospitals, child care and substance abuse facilities as well, and degree holders can also work as missionaries, clergy, writers, youth group leaders, heads of religious programs, and teachers.

The other day I received an email from Accredited Online Bible Colleges who expressed their pleasure in knowing that I had promoted Theology studies.

Naturally I checked out their site (actually because I thought they were from the one I mentioned a year ago - they weren't), and came across the following gems of information, some of which you might - or might not - find interesting. (I presume of course that if you are reading thusfar in this article that indeed you are interested.)

There was one particular line that did catch my eye and which I thought worth mentioning, but you will have to wait till you get to the footnote on this article.

This is what I found on the Accredited Online Bible Colleges website:

Accredited bible colleges are becoming the college of choice for many young people and returning adult students who want to study aspects of the Protestant faith. The vast majority of accredited bible colleges are geared towards those with a Protestant background.

What can I do with a degree from a bible college?

The majority of people who attend bible college have already carved out a position for themselves at a church. This is usually a homegrown minister or director who becomes involved in the church in a major way early on in life. A teen may become involved in the youth program at a church, organize events and be active in the Christian community. From here, he or she may want to become a pastor or minister. Bible college is the natural step to prepare a person to take on these leadership positions in a church. Bible college focuses on philosophy and teaching others how to implement the Christian faith in every day life. It is about motivating a congregation, inspiring church goers and enhancing the message of the Bible so people feel it ingrained in their lives.

Outside of education and training, a person should have a natural gift for speaking in front of groups of people. Charisma and a sensible ease when you speak are essential to being an effective pastor or minister. Some pastors and ministers preach to thousands of people or may be broadcast live on the Internet or on television channels. It's important to connect with the audience so he or she feels they are attending church regardless of where they physically are.

Those working in the administrative department of a church may also attend bible college. This is the case when a congregation begins to grow at a rapid pace. Congregations with thousands or tens of thousands of members require the same organization and management of a corporation. (*) In these director and administrative positions, you need people who are innovative, able to contribute new ideas and promote the church's message with everyone they come in contact with. Large churches host events and have many activities going on at once. Those who attend bible college and want to become part of the church staff typically have a long relationship with a certain church. Many return to school to become qualified for a higher position within the church's administrative staff.

R.P. BenDedek
Email: rpbendedek@hotmail.com

Footnote:

If you have been following the excerpts from Dr. Tony Keys articles here at Magic City or at Kingscalendar, then you will understand why the statement is made that churches are run like corporations, and therefore the necessity for leadership to have very real 'worldly leadership skills' in addition to 'divine calling'.

I did a Bachelor Degree of Social Science under Dr. Keys in his own secular but predominantly protestant college (Theology, Psychology & Counselling, Business Management, Sociology and Teaching) and studied Roman Catholic theology (Theology and Business Sociology) in the Australian Catholic University under another 'Doctor' (Dr. Margaret - a Josephite Nun).

The thing I liked about studying under Dr. Keys was the attention paid to "practical matters". I have mentioned elsewhere his statement that Banks care nothing about your faith, your vision and the voice of God and everything about how many occupied seats you have every week and what the projected income of the Church is. Church leaders are required to be competent business people.

R.P.BenDedek (pseudonym) is the Author of 'The King's Calendar: The Secret of Qumran' (http://www.kingscalendar.com ), and is a guest columnist and stand-in Editor at Magic City Morning Star News. An Australian, he has been teaching Conversational English in China since 2003.

Writers Journal Kingscalendar

"The King's Calendar" is a chronological study of the historical books of the Bible (Kings and Chronicles), Josephus, Seder Olam Rabbah, and the (Essene) Damascus Document of The Dead Sea Scrolls.