Rural Ministry Concentration
M.Div. with Concentration in Rural Ministry
- Full scholarship for three years of coursework (assumes coursework is completed in 6 semesters).
- Stipend for student during Contextual Ministry internship.
- Covering the cost of students’ books.
- Attendance at related conference.
Opportunities and Outcomes
- BSK students will experience the joys, challenges, and complexities of rural landscapes.
- BSK students will study with and under those who live and work in rural places.
- Students can develop a deeper imagination for rural life and ministry.
- Students gain placed pastoral leadership experience in rural congregations.
- Students in this course of study engage these opportunities through a combination of coursework on the BSK campus, coursework in a rural setting, guided readings through The Berry Center, and year-long pastoral internships in a particular rural context.
Incentives to Apply
- Full scholarship for three years of coursework (assumes coursework is completed in 6 semesters).
- Stipend for student during Contextual Ministry internship.
- Covering the cost of students’ books.
- Attendance at related conference.
Questions?
If you have more questions about the Rural Ministry Program at Baptist Seminary of Kentucky or wish to apply, contact Abby Sizemore, Director of Admissions, at abby.sizemore@bsk.edu or 502-863-8301 for more information.
Concentration Requirements
12 RMS hours + additional requirements
Rural Places
Required Course| Next offered Fall 2020
Rural Places is an intensive course with an online component. Students will gather remotely on Thursday, August 27 @ 10:00 am to meet the professor and one another and go over the syllabus.
More Info
The intensive dates for Rural Places are September 23-27. All students taking the course for credit are expected to travel to central Kentucky for this portion of the course.
A final remote meeting via Zoom will conclude the course on Thursday, December 10 @ 10:00 am. Populi will be utilized throughout the course, and the professor will meet individually with students before and after the intensive via Zoom.
Contact Dr. John Inscore Essick to coordinate travel and lodging arrangements (john.essick@bsk.edu).
A Year in the Life of a Rural Minister
Required Course | Spring 2021
A Year in the Life of a Rural Minister is an intensive course with an online component. Students will gather remotely on Thursday, January 14 @ 10:00 am to meet the professor and one another and go over the syllabus.
More Info
The intensive dates for Rural Places are March 24 – 28, 2021. All students taking the course for credit are expected to travel to central Kentucky for this portion of the course.
A final remote meeting via Zoom will conclude the course on Thursday, April 29 @ 10:00 am. Populi will be utilized throughout the course, and the professor will meet individually with students before and after the intensive via Zoom.
Contact Dr. John Inscore Essick to coordinate travel and lodging arrangements (john.essick@bsk.edu).
Contextual Ministry / CPE in the Parish
All Rural Ministry Concentration students are required to complete their Contextual Ministry course in a rural setting or in take CPE in a rural parish.
Outside Assignments
All Rural Ministry Concentration students are required to complete three Rural Ministry-related assignments in non-RMP courses (Preaching, for example).
Conference Attendance
All Rural Ministry Concentration students are required to attend a conference related to Rural Ministry. Students will consult the RMP Director. BSK will cover travel, housing, and food cost associated with conference attendance.
Rural Ministry Capstone
Required Course | Next offered Summer 2021
Summer 2021 (independent study arranged with Dr. John Inscore Essick)