Final Schedule Released for Fall 2008 Colloquial Gathering Being Held August 29 - 31

Grace Theological Seminary has released the final schedule for the the fall 2008 colloquial gathering to be held on the campus in Winona Lake, Indiana on August 29-31, 2008.  All online and all new residential students will be meeting during this time for orientation, fellowship, and worship during the weekend.  In addition, all returning and new students are invited for the banquet beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening as well as several sessions on Saturday.  This includes the All Student Orientation session from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 and the Doing Good Research presentation from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.   The first online class, Systematic Theology II, will begin meeting for the residential portion of this online class on Monday, September 1, 2008 to Wednesday, September 3 under the direction of Dr. David Plaster.   

The agenda for the colloquial gathering is available on the GTS web site:

Fall 2008 Colloquial Gathering Agenda

Grace Theological Seminary began their online seminary program in January, 2008.  This provides both MA and certificate level programs for students unable to attend traditional residential seminary.  Online students are expected to attend at least one colloquial gathering during their online career.  For more information please contact Jim Hill by email at hilljm@grace.edu or phone at 800-54-GRACE x-6435.   

FAQ: Residential Requirements for Grace's Online Seminary Program (Updated)

What are the residential requirements for online students?  

• Grace will require 3 in 3:
  Three visits in three years, with each visit lasting one week.  This is to meet the ATS Accreditation requirements.
• The first visit is the colloquial gathering at the end of August, followed by 3 1/2 days in residence for the first seminary course (Systematic Theology I).  For the fall 2008 the colloquial gathering is scheduled for Friday, August 29 at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, August 31 at 8:30 p.m.  This will be followed by the residential portion of Systematic Theology I on Monday, Sept. 1 at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday, September 3 at 5:00 p.m.
• The second visit will be the following March and will complete the residential requirements for two online courses, 3 1/2 days each.
• The third and final required visit, other than the optional visit to attend graduation in May of the third year, will be in March of the second year.  For 2010, this visit is tentatively scheduled for March 7 - 12, 2010.  This week will work the same way which it did for the second visit during the previous spring.  The first three days will complete the residential requirements for the first 8 week course, and the second will open the next 8 week course and complete the residential portion of that class.