When the new academic year at the Theological College of the Seventh-day Adventists in Friedensau, near Magdeburg, begins on October 5, a modified B.A. course in theology will be offered. Students will then have the opportunity to go into practical work in a local church community as pastoral assistants after completing their studies and receiving their bachelor's degree. This change has an effect on the transfer of knowledge in the course of study and its structure.
According to the Department of Public Relations at Friedensauer University, the Adventist Church urgently needs pastors in its German-speaking congregations. The university is meeting this demand by changing the Bachelor's degree in theology. This means that the desired, necessary and indispensable skills for the start of practical training are already taught in the first three years of study, so that young theologians can be well prepared for their work in the congregations after a relatively short period of study.
The learning of the ancient languages, Greek and Hebrew, was and still is indispensable for future theologians. The acquisition of languages should, however, be made easier and receive stronger practical relevance.
After two years of professional experience as a pastoral assistant, the path would be cleared for the part-time or full-time master's degree in theology. Both paths to the master’s degree would be supported by the regional Adventist church leadership.
Friedensau Theological College
The Theological University of Friedensau is a state-recognized university under the sponsorship of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It offers eight Bachelor and Master courses—some of which are part-time—in the fields of Christian Social Work and Theology, as well as a course in German as a Foreign Language. More than 30 nations are represented among the approximately 200 students.
Further information is available at www.thh-friedensau.de.
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