Southwest's CCMV educates and forms laity
Mar 31, 2010
First printed -Texas Episopalian
AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Christians, young and older, are increasingly looking to seminaries in response to God's call on their lives, which does not necessarily include ordination.
Seminary of the Southwest in Austin anticipated this interest several years ago by establishing accredited master's degrees for laity.
Many take the evening and weekend classes while continuing their full time jobs. Some, who have lost jobs in the economic downturn, see this as a good time to go back to school and Southwest has experienced a 40 percent increase in enrollment in the last year, which includes 27 new students in degrees that don't lead to the ordained ministry.
Southwest's board of trustees made a commitment to theological education for laity over a decade ago and began working toward accredited degrees with classes in the evening and on weekends.
Three years ago, the seminary established the Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation (CCMV), an umbrella for its programs designed for lay persons. Founded on the principal that God calls all Christians to service of the Gospel, the Center's mission is to support Christians in discerning what it means to respond faithfully to God's call in their particular lives and circumstances. CCMV students come from varied denominations to strengthen their knowledge of theology, scripture, and ethics, as well as to pursue more specific training.
The seminary's full-time faculty teach the core (theological) courses, and a team of local professionals, tops in their fields, are recruited to teach the professional courses. Faculty bios are found on http://www.ssw.edu/faculty.
Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care (MCPC)
The MCPC coursework engages students in the study of Bible, ethics, theology, pastoral theology and theory, as well as in a range of more specialized courses dealing with chaplaincy in its various contexts - hospital, prison, workplace, school or faith community chaplaincy.
"I feel called to serve the community of veteran's-we are a military family-and my research led me to the seminary. The program looked good for me now," said Celeste McVeigh who recently enrolled in the MCPC. She has taken a leave of absence since her husband deployed to Iraq in mid-January, but she hopes to return to evening classes in the fall. "I'm so grateful for those evening offerings. As a mother, it's a gift."
For those who seek board certification-not required for admittance to the MCPC or for many chaplaincy opportunities-the MCPC at Southwest meets the academic requirements of the Association of Professional Chaplains.
Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)
"Religion and peoples' beliefs about God have so much to do with one's well-being" said Courtney Gross, who is in her second year of the master's in counseling at Southwest. Courtney found the MAC degree at Southwest following graduation from Texas A&M. She wanted a theological component to her preparation for a counseling practice and was looking at schools in Colorado and Virginia when her aunt asked, "Do you know about Seminary of the Southwest?"
The MAC degree is designed for persons seeking graduate-level instruction in counseling and a curriculum that provides opportunities to integrate counseling theories and techniques with pastoral approaches and perspectives.
The curriculum provides the academic foundation, including the 300-hour practicum requirement, specified by the State of Texas for the credential of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). While conforming to the state requirements, courses in the MAC program are taught from a Christian faith perspective such that professional as well as pastoral competence are emphasized.
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation (MSF)
The MSF is the newest degree at Southwest and it combines the study of Christian spirituality with the many ways to practice and reflect on it.
The three-year, part-time program blends the study of theology and spirituality and focuses on the meaning of holiness, biblical ideas of vocation, the theology of revelation, the place of experience, the life of the church and the nature of mission. All courses in the MSF are taught by the seminary's full-time faculty.
"The MSF is ideal for those seeking a personal renewal of faith and practice or teaching in a church community, as well as persons wishing to guide people in prayer or leading groups for bible study or discipleship," said the Rev. Dr. Alan Gregory, academic dean.
The Rev. Paul Moore, rector of St. Christopher's, Killeen, knew that he needed to go to school to before adding retreat work to his ministry. "I wanted to further develop my spiritual life, which led me to evaluate different programs. The MSF is a Godsend, and I found it right in my backyard," he said. "I'm not the only clergy person in the program, but I am the only Episcopal priest. It's enriching to discuss issues that arise in class with lay people and clergy from other denominations."
The Seminary Community
"The mechanism to get in is so much easier than I thought," says Eric Whitfield, a student in the Chaplaincy program. "Everyone has been so great; it's been a holy experience."
Most of the 60 CCMV students are employed and find the evening and alternate weekend courses suit their busy schedules. The course schedules and minimum requirements for extracurricular activities on campus make it possible for commuters to enroll and complete the courses; however, CCMV students are encouraged to be involved more fully in the life of the seminary community if time permits.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on CCMV Saturdays and it attracts most students including those who come from denominations other than the Episcopal Church. Lunch follows in the seminary's dining hall, and it offers another opportunity for faculty and students to get to know one another.
Additional educational opportunities for laity include the Master of Arts in Religion (MAR), a diploma in Christian education and youth ministry, and The Online School for Spirituality and Mission. The MAR is a purely academic theological program with concentrations available in general theology, Christian education and youth ministry, and Hispanic Church Studies. Students attend classes on weekdays with MDiv students.
Additional information can be found at Southwest's website (www.ssw.edu) or by contacting the Admissions Office (brobertson@ssw.edu).
