For nearly 40 years, the Evangelical Church Alliance has offered a correspondence curriculum called the Bible Extension Institute, (BEI). The BEI serves those who do not meet the ECA’s educational requirements for ordination or licensing or those who have not had opportunity to attend Bible college or seminary yet want to increase their knowledge of the Bible and aspects of Practical Ministry. The BEI, in cooperation with Global University (GU) in Springfield, MO, provides quality course materials to students of the BEI.
GU produces its own independent study textbooks and study guides that provide instructions on how and what to study. These self-study courses are designed to help the student master the content of each subject.
GU has been writing degree level courses for 26 years. GU materials are used by more than 90 colleges and universities. GU undergraduate program services more than 14,000 students from over 125 countries.
GU is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) which is a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Office of Education; however, courses taken through the BEI are not accredited. A person completing courses through the BEI would not receive credit through GU but would only meet the minimum educational requirements for ordination and licensing through the ECA.
Minimum Educational Requirements for Licensing:
New Testament Literature
Old Testament Literature
Old Testament Biblical Theology
Soteriology
Evangelism Today
Preparing and Preaching Bible Messages
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Guidelines for Leadership
Plus 2 Electives
Minimum Educational Requirements for Ordination:
New Testament Literature
Old Testament Literature
Old Testament Biblical Theology
Soteriology
Evangelism Today
Preparing and Preaching Bible Messages
Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Guidelines for Leadership
The Work of the Pastor
Church History
Expository Preaching
Introduction to Missions
Pastoral Counseling
Plus 3 Electives
Electives
Strategy for Church Growth
Christian Education Leadership
Galatians and Romans
Acts
Apologetics
Christology
Life of Christ
The Work of the Pastor
Teaching in the Church
Pentateuch
Cross-Cultural Communications
Course Descriptions (Listed Alphabetically by Title)
Apologetics / Author: William Menzies, M. A., Ph. D. / This is a study of the relationship of faith and reason with its application to the concepts of God, the Word, and Christian experience.
Acts / Author: George O. Wood, B. D., D. Th. P. / The Continuing ministry of the resurrected Christ in the world, through the Holy Spirit, is shown at this course analyzes the major reasons for the growth of the church.
Christian Education Leadership / Author: J.E. Pearson, M. Ed. /Those interested in leadership in the educational department of their local church or pastoring will find this a vital course. As its name implies, it is an in-depth study of the general principles of administration and management applied to the church's Christian education program.
Christology / Author: L. Thomas Holdcroft, M. A. / This is a systematic study of the person of Jesus Christ in His past, present, and future work. Controversial historical and contemporary views of Jesus are presented and related to the Word of God.
Church History / Author: George R. Stotts, M. A., Ph. D. / A general survey of the Church from the Day of Pentecost to the Reformation with special emphasis of the Church's origin, nature, purpose, organization, doctrine, literature, problems, and progress.
Cross-Cultural Communications / Author: Delbert H. Tarr, M. A., Ph. D. / This course deals with the relationship between communication and culture, especially as this relationship affects evangelism of peoples of other cultures. This student is encourages to appreciate and understand differences in culture and communicate effectively outside of his own culture.
Evangelism Today / Author: L. Jeter Walker, M. A. / Biblical principles and modern techniques of effective evangelism are examined in this course with illustrations of examples from around the world. Emphasis is given to help churches organize programs of personal and mass evangelism.
Expository Preaching / Author: George Batson, M. A., M. Th., D. Min. / This practical guide to the methodology of preaching emphasizes the step-by-step process of constructing expository sermons. The student builds sermons from the Gospel of Matthew and the book of Ephesians.
Galatians and Romans / Author: Anthony Palma, M. A., M. Div., M. S. T., D. Th. / The purpose of this course is to give an interpretive survey of Galatians and Romans. It also investigates key issues related to the doctrine of salvation taught in these epistles.
Guidelines for Leadership / Author: John W. Kirkpatrick, M. Miss., D. Miss. / The goal of this course is to provide the student with a contemporary theology of Christian leadership. Modern leadership science is overviewed and then compared and contrasted with principles of leadership taught in the Bible.
Introduction to Missions / Author: Paul Pomerville, M. A., M. C. M., Ph. D. / In this course, the author presents a study of the biblical basis for missions and qualifications for an effective missionary. He also outlines various types of missionary work and the responsibilities of the individual Christian and the local church in missions.
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling / Author: Fred J. Greve, M. A., Ed. D. / A basic course in pastoral counseling with a strong biblical orientation. The student will study and practice such techniques as listening, interviewing, bringing correction, and marriage and family counseling.
Life of Christ / Author: Mike McClaflin, M. A. / This course is an introductory study of the life of Christ. It integrates material from the four Gospels' accounts of Christ's life and presents it in a chronological approach from the annunciation to the ascension.
New Testament Literature / Author: Jesse Moon, M. Div., D. Min. / This course introduces a panoramic survey of the New Testament including the life of Christ, the rise of the early Church, the life and teachings of Paul, and the remaining books of the New Testament. Programs of the LIVING WORD video series have been designed to accompany New Testament Survey and other New Testament courses.
Old Testament Biblical Theology / Author: John Phillips, M. Div., D. Div. / In this study the main doctrines taught in the Old Testament are traced from Genesis to Malachi. It differs from other theology courses in that is shows the development of doctrines book by book, as they are revealed, rather than considering all Scripture on a single doctrine at one time.
Old Testament Literature / Author: Fred Greve, M. A., Ed. D. / This study surveys the entire Old Testament from the beginnings of man through the rise and fall of the kingdom of Israel and the return. Special emphasis is given to the historical background and prophetic context of each period of Israel's history.
Pentateuch / Author: George Assad, M. Div. / In this analysis of the first five books of the Bible, the beginnings of many great Bible themes are examined. This study also traces the development of the nation of Israel from Abraham to the preparation for entering the Promised Land.
Preparing and Preaching Bible Messages / Author: Ian Hall / The intention of this course is to give a clear understanding of the basic principles of Christian preaching. It stresses the prime place of biblical exposition in authoritatively communicating the Christian message. It deals with practical matters such as preparation of the sermon, the sources of materials, the construction of the components of the sermon, the variety of sermon types, and the delivery of sermons. It also stresses the importance of the preachers themselves in the effective communication of their messages.
Principles of Biblical Interpretation / Author: Bernard Ramm / This course is designed to teach the student the science and art of interpretation. As a science it treats the basic rules for discovering the meaning of a document. As an art, it deals with the skills and methods used to interpret the scriptures.
Soteriology / Author: Daniel B. Pecota, M. Div., Th. M., D. Min. / The work of Christ in bringing lost man into fellowship with God is studied in this course on the doctrines of salvation. Included are studies on the doctrines of repentance, faith, conversion, regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, and prayer in the life of the Christian.
Strategy for Church Growth / Author: Benjamin P. Shinde,
M. A., M. Th., D. Miss. / The course deals with the spiritual, cultural, and social dynamics of church growth. The student will learn how to make a diagnostic study of a local church and discover the causes of its growth or lack of growth.
Teaching in the Church / Author: J.E. Pearson, M.Ed. / A theologically based, creative approach to teaching is presented that draws from the best modern ideas of teaching and learning. The theory is then applied to practice with varying age groups in a variety of ways.
The Work of the Pastor / Author: Eleazer E. Javier, M. A. / The focus of this course is on the pastor's call to and preparation for Christian ministry. It is based on the Pastoral Epistles and enables the student to recognize and apply biblical principles to various situations that are common to ministry in the local church.
Procedure for Completion
How to Apply: There are two ways to apply to the Bible Extension Institute. First, if you are seeking licensing or ordination through the Evangelical Church Alliance and have been approved for the process but does not academically qualify, you may be automatically enrolled in the BEI. Secondly, if you are not applying for membership in the ECA but wish to complete courses through the BEI you may do the following:
- Obtain an Enrollment Application/Order Form from the Bible Extension Institute
- Return the application with the enrollment fee of $25
- Return the Order Form with payment
- Proceed with taking courses at your own pace but within the outlined completion time
- Return the Unit Exams for grading.
Form of Payment: Payment for all materials must be received before course materials are shipped. Residents of Canada and overseas countries must send payments in U.S. dollars or U.S. Postal Money Order.
Course Costs: Costs included for each course include the course *textbook(s), a course study guide, a $25 per course administrative fee, plus **shipping and handling. The Enrollment Fee for the Bible Extension Institute is $25 for those who have not applied to the ECA for ministerial credentials. (*Some courses do not require a textbook. ** US Postal Service at the Media Mail rate. Materials shipped to foreign countries and those wanting items shipped through a faster service will have to contact the ECA
Completion Time: Students completing courses through the BEI must complete one course every four months to remain active. (A request for an extension must be mailed in writing to the ECA International Headquarters one month prior to the due date. A $10.00 extension fee must accompany the request. Courses not completed will receive a failing grade.)
Components of a Course: Most courses consist of a carefully selected textbook(s) plus an ICI study guide. In some cases audiocassettes are included.
Exams: Satisfactory completion of each course is based only on standardized Unit Exams, which are taken in the presence of a proctor (pastor, professor or supervisor). Each course has from two to six Unit Exams. More than one exam may be taken at a time. Exams are to be returned to the Bible Extension Institute for grading.