Pace Talk

APTE: Learn Real-Time with Real-Life Situations

What is APTE? Advanced Practical Theological Education is an educational model that focuses on developing work or ministry-ready skill sets.

Over the past years, churches and parachurch ministries have received graduates who were not work-ready yet. I ran for the school board in my local school district, and one of the major issues was graduating students who were neither work- nor military-ready nor college-ready. School districts that let them graduate can be considered to have missed the mark.

Could the same honestly be said about many models of theological education? Is it true that many theological educational models only prepare graduates to do post-graduate work?

To be sure, the church needs scholars who can articulate clearly and accurately theological constructs to ensure quality control in the local church. However, the people in the pews need ministers who can express how these constructs make a difference in how they live at home and in the marketplace. All of us who spend time in places of worship have had the experience of listening to sermons and or lessons given by formally trained ministers who could not show that they had developed the skill to demonstrate that their homiletics reflected proper hermeneutics.

Let me say that differently—we have all heard sermons that the preaching did not demonstrate that the preacher had successfully passed a Bible study methods class. Another way to say it is that the biblical text is supposed to lead the sermon, not the other way around.

Let’s talk about another area of ministry, Evangelism. I mentioned Evangelism because, in most institutions that train students for ministry, Evangelism is a required class. Most of these classes are taught entirely in the classroom. I commend those institutions that move the class outside the classroom into the community. What is taught in the academy is often transferred to the church, and churches will have eight-week Evangelism classes that never leave the church campuses.

The APTE model has on-the-job training where the students will participate in practicums with individuals in real-time, real-life situations. The student will be work- or ministry-ready by the end of each certificate. PACE students would have the skill set to do real-world evangelism when they arrive at the church or parachurch ministry for work.

The “skill set” model is not in competition with the knowledge base model. It is the answer to institutions requesting work/ministry-ready graduates and students requesting skill set-specific training. The ability to be trained to do a specific practical ministry function without completing an entire degree program is the desire of many adult learners. While many do not desire degrees, they do desire credentials that reflect that they have obtained mastery of a given skill set.

PACE (Pathways for Accelerating Christian Education) Academy exists to fulfill the need of churches, parachurch ministries, and individuals to receive training in serving God with work-ready competence. Let’s be clear. Many excellent theological institutions offer comprehensive training; however, it is not for everyone. PACE is rolling out a Certificate in 21st Century Leadership to meet specific needs.

If a student is not interested in completing the certificate, an endorsement credential is available. If a student does not need an endorsement, individual badges or micro-credentials are available. All are based on the work-ready model. Finish a class, and acquire a skill set.

How can the PACE Academy be so confident about the results of its training? We are confident because we require assessments to demonstrate skill mastery before a credential is awarded. Students will develop the practical training they signed up for, and the church will receive practitioners who can do ministry.

I believe that PACE is a partner with God to fulfill the Great Commission by making APTE available for those who do not have the time or money to take the standard path for training. Does this sound interesting to you? Let’s talk about it!

Wilbert C. Baker, DMin

Program Director, PACE Academy

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Pace Talk

APTE: Learn Real-Time with Real-Life Situations

Wilbert C. Baker, DMin

Program Director, PACE Academy

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