Denver Seminary

While Stephanie worked for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in Wisconsin, her desire to attend Denver Seminary continued. As Stephanie says, her hope to attend Denver Seminary didn't seem to "match reality." But then, Denver Seminary launched an online program. Suddenly, Stephanie's callings and desires weren't opposed or mutually exclusive. God had brought Stephanie and her husband to Wisconsin, and He had set the desire for a seminary education in Stephanie's heart. She enrolled in the online Master of Divinity program, eager to learn and grow in ways that would enhance her ministry through Intervarsity and in her personal life. What Stephanie couldn't have foreseen was the approaching global COVID-19 pandemic. She couldn't have imagined the ways that already being an online student would benefit her as she continued learning during lockdowns. And she certainly couldn't have known that not only would her experience with Denver Seminary's online education programs enhance her experience as a student of theology, but directly influence the way she would evangelize and minister to others when millions were forced to withdraw into their homes. Over time, Stephanie realized she was already prepared. "Because I'm learning online, I'm starting to minister online," she said. Stephanie found that discussing the Bible and theology online through course forums, correspondence with professors, and interactions with fellow students had become normal to her and helped her transition into discussing spiritual things with people online who may not yet know the Lord. While she misses ministry opportunities in her community that have been less accessible during the pandemic, Stephanie says, "I think I would have less energy if I were being pulled in multiple physical directions." Because she's online to learn, she finds it natural to minister online as well. Stephanie understands the internet as a venue for being formed spiritually and having the joy of forming others spiritually. It's why she loves Denver Seminary's approach to educational technology. It isn't about helping students churn through courses. It's about mission and ministry, about equipping students to serve Jesus and disciple others wherever God places them—even if it's in front of a laptop. DENVER SEMINARY EXPLORES DISTANCE LEARNING Stephanie's experience encapsulates the desire that Denver Seminary has for its online educational degree programs. When the Distance Education Task Force began to explore distance education possibilities, they did so with a chief concern: preserving the ethos and educational values of Denver Seminary. The pursuit and implementation of online education opportunities could not simply be motivated by a desire to "keep up with the Joneses." Rather, it had to fit into the philosophy of education already held by Denver Seminary—one that prizes integrated learning, redemptive relationships, and addressing the needs of the whole person. It's why she loves Denver Seminary's approach to educational technology. It isn't about helping students churn through courses. It's about mission and ministry, about equipping students to serve Jesus and disciple others wherever God places them—even if it's in front of a laptop. "It's really important that theological education be integrated and holistic because ministry demands it," said Randy MacFarland, senior professor of Pastoral Care and Leadership and former provost and dean of Denver Seminary. In 1999, Denver Seminary received a grant from the Lilly Endowment's Information Technology for Theological Teaching program. The grant allowed Denver Seminary to acquire a subscription to Blackboard Learning Management System and to hire a Director of Educational Technology. Anchored by a commitment to meeting more students' needs, Denver Seminary launched a system of courses that allowed residential and commuting students to take online courses when their schedules conflicted with residential course offerings, or to take courses while traveling during the summers. Students experienced greater flexibility between their personal and professional lives and schoolwork, while accelerating their degree programs. By the 2007–2008 school year, Denver Seminary was offering approximately 15 Bible and theology ENGAGE 5

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