Study Group opportunities: About

Students may study Seminary Extension courses at home through correspondence or via Web Enabled (Internet) versions. They may also study these same courses in groups at a local center wherever they live.

In fact, each year hundreds of individuals such as pastors, other church workers, and church volunteers continue their education for ministry and personal growth by studying Seminary Extension courses in a group setting. These centers offer locally sponsored programs of organized study that are designed to help Christians gain the understanding and skill needed for competent Christian ministry. In order to form a center, a group must be certified by Seminary Extension before classes can be offered. Certification lasts for five years. Historically, Baptist associations have established most of these group study centers. In fact, some associations have multiple centers. Individual local Southern Baptist churches have also taken on the challenge of educating their members and other interested Southern Baptists in their area. Seminary Extension does not own or control these sites. However, sponsors approved by Seminary Extension must agree to operate their centers according to the following guidelines:

• Centers affiliated with Seminary Extension must maintain the educational standards set forth by Seminary Extension
• Centers must agree to use the course materials prepared and distributed by Seminary Extension
• Centers must submit the appropriate registration fees, teachers’ reports, and student enrollment information to Seminary Extension

Students enrolled in these centers have found that group learning experiences provide both encouragement and fellowship. Often students learn from each other as well as from their teacher. Regular class meetings require them to exercise a disciplined approach to their study.

Often located in SBC state and associational offices or in local SBC churches, Seminary Extension centers can be found in most of the United States, and in several foreign countries.

 ©2010Seminary Extension