The Journey of our New Strategic Direction
2020 – from Calamity to Evolution, from Lament to Celebration: A New Ministry Season for ABTS
Elie Haddad
June 15, 2020
Chapter one
The pandemic has caused global disruption and has forced the world to rethink priorities and methods, and even to raise core and foundational questions about who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
This is no different for ABTS. Life was suddenly disrupted by the pandemic, as the majority of our programs and initiatives revolve around bringing people together...
June 15, 2020
Chapter one
The pandemic has caused global disruption and has forced the world to rethink priorities and methods, and even to raise core and foundational questions about who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
This is no different for ABTS. Life was suddenly disrupted by the pandemic, as the majority of our programs and initiatives revolve around bringing people together...
Wading Through the Challenges Toward a New Operational Framework
Walid Zailaa
July 14, 2020
Chapter two
Last month, ABTS President Elie Haddad introduced the rationale behind our curriculum’s new format and its key elements. This is proving to be a timely radical transition. In his article, Elie promised to keep you posted as our explorations mature. The journey so far has been both exciting and challenging. Together, we have learned that the notion of “waiting for the storm to pass” so we can re-introduce our theology program…
July 14, 2020
Chapter two
Last month, ABTS President Elie Haddad introduced the rationale behind our curriculum’s new format and its key elements. This is proving to be a timely radical transition. In his article, Elie promised to keep you posted as our explorations mature. The journey so far has been both exciting and challenging. Together, we have learned that the notion of “waiting for the storm to pass” so we can re-introduce our theology program…
Developing the New Non-Formal Components: The Curriculum Story Continues
Bassem Melki
August 12, 2020
Chapter three
At the end of last month’s article, Walid Zailaa mentioned that we had begun to craft the non-formal components of the modified residential program curriculum, which is the next step in the design. Such components have played a significant role in our residential students’ growth for years.
As the Leadership Team pursued a distance-learning program for ABTS, our challenge was whether we could create an...
August 12, 2020
Chapter three
At the end of last month’s article, Walid Zailaa mentioned that we had begun to craft the non-formal components of the modified residential program curriculum, which is the next step in the design. Such components have played a significant role in our residential students’ growth for years.
As the Leadership Team pursued a distance-learning program for ABTS, our challenge was whether we could create an...
The Central Role of Faculty in ABTS’ Emerging Hybrid Program
Martin Accad
September 14, 2020
Chapter four
I expect that the previous three articles (June-July-August) written by my colleagues, Elie, Walid and Bassem, have made it abundantly clear to our friends and partners around the world how the multiple crises that Lebanon has gone through since last summer have shaken ABTS to the core. What life has taught me, however, is that crises often give us the courage to enact those long-term changes that we have known for…
September 14, 2020
Chapter four
I expect that the previous three articles (June-July-August) written by my colleagues, Elie, Walid and Bassem, have made it abundantly clear to our friends and partners around the world how the multiple crises that Lebanon has gone through since last summer have shaken ABTS to the core. What life has taught me, however, is that crises often give us the courage to enact those long-term changes that we have known for…
Innovation and Collaboration: The Story Continues
Elie Haddad
October 15, 2020
Chapter five
Back in April 2020, when we had to respond to the multiple layers of crises disrupting our operation, we quickly realized that this was the perfect storm that God will use to propel us into asking foundational questions that govern our ministry. We knew that the time had come to rediscover the mission that God is giving us for this new season, identify the essentials that we need to hold on to, and be prepared to make some uncomfortable changes…
October 15, 2020
Chapter five
Back in April 2020, when we had to respond to the multiple layers of crises disrupting our operation, we quickly realized that this was the perfect storm that God will use to propel us into asking foundational questions that govern our ministry. We knew that the time had come to rediscover the mission that God is giving us for this new season, identify the essentials that we need to hold on to, and be prepared to make some uncomfortable changes…
Distance Community Formation: Lessons from Paul
Nabil Habiby
November 13, 2020
Chapter six
ABTS will soon welcome its first batch of new students into the modified integrated program. We are in the middle of the “liminality” that Elie talked about in the first chapter of this series. Soon we will welcome students to a program that does not include a three-year stay in Beirut at our campus. Soon we will begin to teach them from a distance. The effectiveness of the academic program is not in doubt. Walid has already outlined the program’s organization and general framework in the second chapter of this series…
November 13, 2020
Chapter six
ABTS will soon welcome its first batch of new students into the modified integrated program. We are in the middle of the “liminality” that Elie talked about in the first chapter of this series. Soon we will welcome students to a program that does not include a three-year stay in Beirut at our campus. Soon we will begin to teach them from a distance. The effectiveness of the academic program is not in doubt. Walid has already outlined the program’s organization and general framework in the second chapter of this series…
Changes and Challenges Facing the Church in the Middle East
Wissam Nasrallah
December 11, 2020
Chapter seven
The Middle East has been in constant turmoil for the past 60 years. However, we seem to be entering a new phase in Middle Eastern history as recent and decade-old upheavals are changing the face of the region for years to come.
As ABTS embarks on a new strategic direction that aims to “rediscover the mission that God is giving us for this new season” (read all about it here), it is important to also be aware of the major changes occurring around us that are shaping the future of the region we want to serve...
December 11, 2020
Chapter seven
The Middle East has been in constant turmoil for the past 60 years. However, we seem to be entering a new phase in Middle Eastern history as recent and decade-old upheavals are changing the face of the region for years to come.
As ABTS embarks on a new strategic direction that aims to “rediscover the mission that God is giving us for this new season” (read all about it here), it is important to also be aware of the major changes occurring around us that are shaping the future of the region we want to serve...
Reshaping and being Reshaped by Peacemaking at ABTS
Bassem Melki
February 12, 2021
Chapter eight
When I think of Isaiah’s words, “And he will be called … Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Is 9:6-7), I wonder how much this peace is truly present in our churches and the surrounding community today.
When I think of Paul’s words “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), I think to myself, where is that peace that transcends worldly understanding?
February 12, 2021
Chapter eight
When I think of Isaiah’s words, “And he will be called … Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Is 9:6-7), I wonder how much this peace is truly present in our churches and the surrounding community today.
When I think of Paul’s words “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7), I think to myself, where is that peace that transcends worldly understanding?
A Borderless Seminary: Leaning into a Heritage and Moving into a Future
Brent Hamoud
MRel Program Lead
March 11, 2021
Chapter nine
The newly launched Integrated Theology Program has ushered ABTS into new institutional territory in which all students participate in studies while remaining within their own places of residence. My colleagues have provided previous chapters chronicling the ways this transitional journey has been propelled by excitement, undergirded by necessity, and accompanied by newfound challenges...
MRel Program Lead
March 11, 2021
Chapter nine
The newly launched Integrated Theology Program has ushered ABTS into new institutional territory in which all students participate in studies while remaining within their own places of residence. My colleagues have provided previous chapters chronicling the ways this transitional journey has been propelled by excitement, undergirded by necessity, and accompanied by newfound challenges...