The
deadline is quickly approaching for this fall’s
enrolment. All student applications must be approved
locally at Vineyard Boise and then sent on to the
VLI office in Columbus, Ohio by September 10th.
VLI catalogs with all necessary application forms
are available on the VLI Web site –
www.vli.org or at the information counter in
heritage hall. Please call me at the church or email
me at
chad@vineyardboise.org with any questions about
the VLI or the registration process.
As
VLI grows it continues to add and improve elements
to the program. I met twice this summer with Steve
Robbins, the National VLI Director, and he gave me a
list of some of the changes we can expect over the
next two years.
1.
Testing and Grading
Columbus is hiring a full time teaching assistant
this year. In the past this has been a part time
position. The VLI staff is expecting more
consistency with the test writing and a quicker
return of assignments. Another great change is that
all exam questions will now be taken from the first
two levels of information in the lectures, making it
clear to the students what they are expected to
retain.
2.
Accreditation
VLI
is not actively pursuing accreditation for two
reasons – one, the costs of the program would nearly
triple to the students; second, VLI would loose some
of its freedom in how it develops its courses (which
make them uniquely Vineyard). However, Steve has
been working with Christian colleges to allow VLI
students to be recognized for their work in VLI. The
relationships with these colleges will allow VLI
students to transfer into other programs with some
credit recognition for both their academic and
practical work in VLI.
3.
Teaching Objectives
Starting this fall, every class lecture will begin
with the Teaching Objective stated explicitly up
front and written out at the top of the syllabus.
There will also be a Relevance Statement answering
the question, “Why are these objectives important
for the student to know?” After that the main points
of the lecture are taken from the Teaching
Objectives. This will help give the courses great
focus – so students will now what is most important
in the lectures.
The course syllabi will now also include sidebar
boxes with scholarly debates on hot issues in
scholarship, background information, table talk on
issues of everyday application, Ministry application
ideas, and questions for group interaction with the
students.
4.
AVCUSA Endorsement
Since March 2002, VLI has been working with the
Association of Vineyard Churches board in order to
make VLI the national training program of choice.
The Regional Overseer’s have also appointed a
representative from each region. Their role is to
assist the churches in the region with developing
VLI locally and also provide feedback to the VLI
staff in Columbus on how to improve the program for
those of us running the program “at-a-distance”.
5.
Production
VLI
is upgrading from video lectures to DVD. They are
also adding new visual presentation to the courses.
Improvements continue to be made with the VLI Web
site, putting content online, and providing media
(MP3s and video files) to the students.
6.
Mentoring Manuals
Manuals are being upgraded are available for the
Preaching, Evangelism, and Pastoral Care modules of
the mentoring classes. New manuals are being
developed in worship, missions and church planting.
7.
Tracks
Vineyard Columbus is testing specialized tracks that
future students can take. These tracks will include:
church planting, missions, worship, youth ministry,
and children’s ministry. Once the bugs are worked
out this program will be made available around the
country.
8.
Live Q & A
The
best method found at this point for a live Q & A
sessions will be for Subject Matter Experts to be
available for online, interactive chats during hours
that work in each time zone.
9.
Live Teachers
VLI
is experimenting this fall with live teachers
outside of Columbus. The idea is that each region
will select regional centers with the most
accessibility to VLI students and have three live
intensives during this academic year. This will be
tested in two regions this year and then as the bugs
are worked out will be made available in each
region.
We
have a great VLI program here at Vineyard Boise. If
you have considered some higher education and
leadership training for church ministry this may be
a great match for you. Pick up a catalog today!
