2008 Summit: Let's Connect... Renovation

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Rod Boyd

Introduction... Barriers to renovation

  • The human tendency is to box in potential (nine-dot exercise)

  • The box that doesn’t grow actually gets smaller (Hotel Punta Paitilla Inn, Panama City, Panama)

Transition.  Renewing our core values is the first step that helps us remain relevant in ministerial training.  They certainly point to our clear mission to train ministers.  The next step is to evaluate and improve the “tools” we use to accomplish our mission.  By tools we are talking about structures, systems, plans and resources.  We’ve divided these “tools” into six areas:  institutions, delivery systems, curriculum plan, leadership/teachers/staff, resources and networking/alliances.  We’re going to use a time-tested evaluation tool to guide our work.  It’s called SWOT Analysis. 

1.      SWOT Analysis... Explanation of SWOT

  • SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.

  • Short history.  System created by Albert Humphrey, Stanford University, in the 1960s.  Used to analyze areas and objectives of an organization.

  • In Spanish, “FODA—Fortalezas, Oportunidades, Debilidades, Amenazas”

  • SWOT matrix explanation.

  • SWOT is best used in conjunction with an overall leadership strategy, such as the 4As model: Aim, Assess (SWOT), Activate and Apply.

Click here to view the Wikipedia article on SWOT Analysis.

 

2.  Areas to “Renovate” in Ministerial Training... Seven areas were chosen for consideration as they relate to ministerial education.  The large group brainstormed key words and phrases that describe each area.  Small groups were asked to complete the following assignments:

  1. Complete the SWOT Analysis worksheet to evaluate each area. 

  2. List five things that can be done to maximize strengths and opportunities and minimize weaknesses and threats.

  3. Answer the question:  How do you go about making these changes?  If you're not "in charge," how do you do it?

Each group had a representative sit on a panel to provide the group report.  Click on each area in the following chart to view the results of the small group analysis and assignment.

 

Institutions (structures)

Location, accessibility, centrality, buildings, campus, administration, schedules, residential or drive-in, equipment

Curriculum Plan

Teaching plan, secular and/or ministerial/scope & sequence, credits, standards, accreditation

Delivery Systems

Virtual, residential, extension, distance, multi-media, intensive, hands-on, traditional classroom, night & Saturdays

Leadership/Teachers/Staff

Qualifications, continuing education, paid or volunteer, philosophy

Resources

Teaching materials, libraries, computers, visual aids, technology, money, subsidies & scholarships

Networking & Alliances

Accreditation, cooperative agreements, interdenominational  cooperation, contracts

Students

Results, profiles, incoming & graduates, evaluation, mission & vision, persistence & retention

3.      Capsules... Renovation ideas by area

Institutions Lewis—Flexibility of structure
Curriculum Plan Judy—Plan Basico 2009
Delivery Systems Rod—Internet courses
Leadership/Teachers/Staff Rod—PROCEPA
Resources Jim B.—Logos electronic biblical libraries
Quentin—F&A
Networking/ Alliances Gayle—Encouraging quality through ATAL

 

4.  Conclusion... There wasn't sufficient time to discuss the two questions posed:  How do you go about making these changes?  If you’re not ‘in charge’ how do you do it?  However, these questions were posed to help us think about how our relationships as missionaries impact any implementation of good renovation ideas.