Our Philosophy: Church-Based Theological Education
The Antioch School represents a different approach to theological education—one that's rooted in Scripture, integrated with real-world ministry, and shaped by the patterns we see in the New Testament church.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to train next-generation church leaders and planters in the New Testament patterns of church life.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to support the tremendous spontaneous expansion of the Gospel in the twenty-first century as churches, church networks, and ministry organizations use the resources of BILD International for church-based theological education.
Our Educational Philosophy
Church-Based Education
Ministry isn't learned in a classroom separate from life. It's forged in the context of real communities. That's why our training integrates your actual ministry context, whether you're planting a church, serving as an elder, or exploring your calling.
We believe theological education should happen where ministry happens: in the context of real church communities, not isolated from them. Our students remain rooted in their local contexts while gaining the biblical and theological depth they need to lead effectively.
Competency-Based Learning
While traditional programs focus on accumulating course credits, our competency-based approach assesses your comprehensive life and ministry development. Our robust portfolio assessment system provides a way for you to demonstrate actual competency in Scripture, theology, and ministry practice—not just that you sat through classes.
We're interested in what you can actually do and apply, not just what you know. This means connecting theological understanding to real ministry situations, demonstrating growth in character and wisdom, and showing the ability to apply biblical principles in diverse contexts.
Integration of Life and Ministry
In the Antioch School, you don't just learn about ministry—you learn from it. Theological concepts connect immediately to real-world situations you're navigating. And the depth of learning is greater because you're doing it, not just studying it. You'll make connections between Scripture, theology, and ministry practice that would never happen in a traditional classroom.
Your application emerges from your actual ministry context. Your cohort discussions grapple with real challenges you're facing. The papers you write and projects you complete serve both your academic growth and your ministry effectiveness.
Why This Approach Matters
Why This Approach Matters
Traditional theological education often creates a gap between academic study and ministry practice. Students spend years in classrooms learning theology disconnected from real church life, then struggle to apply what they've learned when they enter ministry.
Our approach bridges this gap from the beginning. You're never learning in isolation from ministry context. You're never disconnecting theological study from practical application. From day one, you're integrating what you're learning with what you're doing.
This produces a different kind of leader—one who doesn't just know theology but knows how to apply it in real-world ministry situations.