Summary

This conversation with Global Campus professor Matt Boswell, Robyn Lowrie, and Andrew Cole explores the significance of embodiment in online education, particularly in theological contexts. Panelists discuss their personal experiences as online students and instructors, emphasizing the importance of community, mentorship, and local church engagement. They also highlight the challenges and opportunities of online learning, the role of place in education, and the formative aspects of corporate worship. The discussion encourages online students to integrate their studies with their local church context, fostering a holistic approach to education and spiritual formation.

About the Podcast: Local Theologians is a podcast for everyday Christians and ministry leaders from Midwestern Seminary's Global Campus. Learn more about online theological education at mbts.edu/global.

Keywords

online education, embodiment, theological education, community, local church, student experience, corporate worship, mentorship, learning, spiritual formation

Takeaways

Online education can feel dehumanizing, but it doesn't have to be.

Embodiment is crucial in both learning and ministry contexts.

Students can cultivate their education while remaining rooted in their local communities.

Mentorship plays a vital role in online theological education.

Corporate worship is essential for spiritual formation and community building.

Online students should actively engage with their local church.

Education should be seen as formative, not just pragmatic.

The local church is integral to theological education.

Students are encouraged to share their learning with their church community.

Everything learned shapes the individual and their ministry.

Sound bites

"We ought to be a little restless."

"The local church is God's plan A."

"It's shaping you in some way."

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Embodiment in Online Education

02:57 Experiences of Online Students and Instructors

05:49 The Role of Place and Community in Learning

09:02 Connecting Online Education with Local Church

12:00 The Formative Role of Corporate Worship

14:12 Encouragement for Online Students to Engage Locally