Seminary and Christian Schools Create Partnership
Calvin Seminary
Christian Schools International (CSI), which supports hundreds of Christian schools in a variety of ways, and Calvin Theological Seminary are partnering to offer Christian school Bible teachers the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in Bible instruction.
Teachers can enroll at Calvin Theological Seminary for a 15-credit program that offers courses that have been carefully selected with the K–12 Christian school Bible teacher in mind.
Additionally, with year-round courses available, including summer options, and the opportunity for scholarships, the certificate program is designed to fit the busy lives of teachers.
This program is the result of discussions and feedback CSI has been having with administrators and Bible teachers in their member schools.
Teacher training varies among educational institutions, and not all teachers in a Christian school come from a Christian college or have the same training in biblical studies. Yet, most Christian schools require and/or expect a strong knowledge of biblical worldview and the Bible to be incorporated into their teaching.
Rachael Heyboer, director of product development at CSI, states the goal of the partnership in this way: “What this certificate provides is an ability to give the support and additional knowledge base to already amazing teachers of faith that boosts their instruction to the next level and helps strengthen the Christian school community to meet their mission and values as they serve the next generation of Christ followers.”
Aaron Einfeld, director of admissions and enrollment management at Calvin Seminary. agrees. “We are thrilled to support Bible teachers in their sacred task of encouraging vibrant faith development in their students,” says Einfeld.
“A core part of our mission has always been to equip students with the ability to read, interpret, and apply the Bible to living a Christian life. Our faculty have committed their lives to rigorous study of the Bible. We anticipate that this new certificate program will bring vibrancy to the lives of Bible teachers as well as their students.”
Founded in 1920, Christian Schools International's mission is to advance Christian education and to support schools in their task of teaching students to know God and his world and to glorify him through obedient service.
The organization includes nearly 500 Christian schools in the United States and Canada, which employ approximately 10,000 teachers and enroll 100,000 students.
