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By Peter Biggs
Essential knowledge
FUELED by a belief in the value of theological
education, Richmond Chinese Alliance Church (RCAC), is offering a highly
subsidized ‘Certificate in Christian Foundations.’
The ‘Koinos’ program will be taught by
church staff member Ward Gasque and others.
Gasque is a well known senior theological professor
and indeed was a co-founder of Regent College. Having begun his duties at
RCAC only recently, he is responsible for the one-third of the congregation
– mostly second-generation – who often prefer to speak English.
“What we have done is to ask ourselves,
‘What is it that all Christians need to know?’” he told BCCN.
“Thus, the 10 topics we have identified are
basic, beginning with Bible 101 and ending with Global Mission 101. If a
person were to do an MA in Christian Studies, they would take 10 courses.
“Often, working laity don’t really have
the time and the money to do an entire MA degree, but they still need this
knowledge.”
Rising cost
It comes as no surprise to prospective theological
students that the cost of programs has ballooned, with a diploma
sometimes costing $15,000.
RCAC is a thriving congregation of Chinese believers,
which has decided to offer this program for a mere $15 per session
(including lunch). This amounts to a significant subsidy. The church board
projects a cost to the church exceeding $15,000 (based on 100 students).
According to Gasque, RCAC wants to offer this program
as “a gift to the larger Christian community.”
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Koinos will be comprised of 10 courses, with six
one-hour seminars offered on a Saturday each month between September and
June.
“Time-wise, the students will spend 20 percent
of what they would spend in a semester-long course in class, and my
estimate is that they will cover from 30 to 40 percent of the material they
would cover if they were to take a full semester course on the
topic,” Gasque said.
Faculty and expansion
The faculty for this program all have doctorates and
regularly teach in the well known schools.
Gasque is presently in discussions with noted schools
and hopes this certificate will be able to be credited toward their
programs.
“We already have over 70 students enrolled and
expect the final number to exceed 100,” said Gasque.
“Indeed, we anticipate that the demand will grow
and are looking for another Lower Mainland congregation that might consider
becoming a campus for a parallel program,” he said.
For more information contact: www.rcac.ca.
August 2008
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