Making TEE Serve the Needs of the Churches

by Lester Hirst

As we planned for theological education by extension (TEE) in Argentina, we sought a program that would develop leaders who could demonstrate Bible knowledge, ministry skills, and traits of Christian character. We did not anticipate the reception the program has enjoyed, nor the results we have already seen.

As we planned for theological education by extension (TEE) in Argentina, we sought a program that would develop leaders who could demonstrate Bible knowledge, ministry skills, and traits of Christian character. We did not anticipate the reception the program has enjoyed, nor the results we have already seen.

From reading articles in Evangelical Missions Quarterly in the past, we have often found reasons to reevaluate our methods and philosophy. We hope that what we have discovered in our experience with TEE will likewise stimulate and encourage others engaged in the same ministry.

Our TEE program is the arm of the Evangelical Baptist Seminary in Tucuman. Located in Salta, it is called SEBEA (Seminario Bautista Evangelico Argentine) por Extension. Within the context of the local church, it is intended to develop a team of believers equipped to minister.

Initiated in 1983 with 40 students, it has now grown to include 25 churches. By mid-1986, more than 500 students were enrolled, taught by 48 tutors.

The program is divided into five levels and includes weekly classes, personal help from the tutor, small group dynamics, workshops, and supervised local church ministry. It is built on five objectives: (1) training is programmed for every level of leadership in the local church; (2) training is equally distributed into three areas of personal development—knowledge, skills, and character; (3) training is offered through those who are recognized leaders in local churches; (4) training is given substantial flexibility within the educational philosophy of the program; (5) training is integrally linked to the local church.

1. Training is programmed for every level of leadership in the local church. Because it is impossible to train leaders who have not mastered the basic knowledge, skills, and character traits of a disciple of Christ, all students begin in Level One, "Learning to be a Disciple," which is a logical result of Matthew 28:19-20, and a necessary element in the program if churches are to grow.

Those who satisfactorily fulfill the biblical requirements as disciples of Christ move into the second level, which is called "Learning to Serve." Realizing that all church leaders must first be servants, this level seeks to train men and women to be servant-leaders. On this level we train those who are deacons (according to Acts 6), deaconesses, secretaries, and treasurers of local churches.

According to their gifts, students progress to Level Three, "Learning to Teach." A requisite of those invited to participate is the gift and call to teach. Those of the second level who have serving gifts will continue to be helped to improve their service, but through the teaching ministry of those so gifted in their local church. The third level seeks to train all those with any teaching responsibility in the church-youth sponsors, Sunday school teachers, choir directors, children’s workers, etc.

The fourth level, "Learning to Lead," trains those from Level Three who are gifted in administration and leadership, such as elders, lay pastors, and Sunday school superintendents. Level Four places a strong emphasis upon the development of programs for the church, so that those believers who have studied through the first three levels will have the opportunity to serve the Lord according to their gifts and calling.

From the fourth level those who sense a call to pastoral ministry and cannot attend our resident seminary are trained for full-time ministry in Level Five, "Learning to Pastor." Because these men have progressed up through the first four levels of the program, Level Five is really a final polishing of a man who has had eight years of training and is fully committed to serving the Lord in every area of his life.

SEBEA por Extension is intended to provide the church with trained leaders for every facet of ministry. We hope to see the church become a ready-made work force, willing to labor alongside the pastor, multiplying his efforts toward the growth of the church.

2. Training is equally distributed into three areas of personal development: knowledge, skills, and character. Each two-hour class session is divided into two parts. The acquisition of knowledge is emphasized the first hour, as students study Bible-related subjects. The second hour is devoted to personal discipleship. A programmed discipleship notebook leads the student through the discipleship process. The small group dynamic (no more than 10 students per class) of sharing and support enables the students to resolve problems and overcome obstacles on their way to becoming disciples, servants, teachers, leaders, and pastors.

Students only move ahead into higher levels when they have demonstrated development in ministry skills and character traits along with the acquired knowledge each level teaches. Performance standards in each of the three areas are clearly spelled out so as to challenge the students and give clear criteria for evaluation at the end of each level.

For example, the subject of spiritual gifts is made practical as the students use worksheets to find their gifts and then, with their tutor’s help, verify those gifts by putting them into practice.

One extremely gifted lady commented that this has helped her to use gifts that she had not felt free to use before, for lack of confidence. Her tutor has noted that while before she had a tendency to be proud of her ability to minister, she has begun to demonstrate a humbleness which comes from realizing that God has given her a great responsibility by gifting her in a special way.

Students are demonstrating the essential balance between acquired knowledge, ministry skills, and character traits which must be maintained to produce a well-rounded leader who is effective in Christian ministry.

3. Training is offered through those who are recognized leaders in local churches. Because Matthew 28:19-20 gives the mandate to disciple all nations to all believers, SEBEA por Extension believes that mature Christians with a reasonable amount of Bible knowledge are able to become tutors. Some TEE programs depend upon missionaries and seminary-trained nationals as teachers, which limits the possible outreach of the program. Tutors of SEBEA por Extension are selected from recognized leaders, such as pastors and their wives, missionaries and their wives, seminarians, and TEE students who are recognized as spiritual leaders in their local church.

The formal theological training requirements for tutors are replaced by practical ability to relate well to their peer group and to lead that group into greater spiritual development. This peer relationship has proven to be a positive force in helping students to overcome problems and to move into correct patterns of behavior.

The first class to complete Level One provided the program with tutors who are teaching new Level One classes, while continuing their own studies in the higher levels. They are finding their own discipleship process valuable as they seek to disciple others.

4. Training is given substantial flexibility within the educational philosophy of the program. Bible-related materials are supplied according to the educational level of the class. Each tutor is encouraged to adapt and expand the discipleship notebook to deal with local situations. The discipleship process is approached in the order that best fits the needs of the group. The materials are completed at their own speed. A three-trimester year (nine weeks per trimester) allows for regional problems, such as work schedules, harvest, vacations, migration, etc. Reports at the end of each trimester allow the director to follow the progress of the groups and to give suggestions to keep the process moving.

For example, one class of miners alternates tutors to coincide with the bi-weekly visits of the area workers. One tutor in another area completed the discipleship notebook in two trimesters, while another has extended the first level from two to three years.

SEBEA por Extension is enjoying field-wide cooperation with classes in almost every area. This is providing a standardized leadership training format for our entire association of churches.

5. Training is integrally linked to the local church. Tutors, whenever possible, are members of the local church in which they teach. When a church cannot provide a tutor, someone is brought in from a nearby church. Discipleship requires contact outside of the classroom. Therefore, supervision of the student in his local ministry is a key element in the program. Local church schedules, practices, customs, preferences, etc., are respected by the tutors.

The small group interaction in the extension class is having an impact on the local church as it helps develop body life. Sharing and caring are becoming an integral part of church life.

By initiating a program based on these five objectives, we have already seen exciting results, not only in the lives of individual students, but in the corporate life of the church. We are, however, just beginning. As students continue to sharpen their leadership skills, we are looking forward to an association of churches with renewed spiritual vigor and dynamic growth. That is our goal.

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