FAQ's
Eligibility for Courses
Courses
Alternative Ministerial Education (formerly ROP)
Purpose
GRR and AME
Enrollment
Overview
COMSAO
Regional Licensure and Ordination
Other Courses
Submit Helpful Lifelong Learning Resources/Links
Q: Can I take a course listed in Alternative Ministerial Education offerings even if I am not pursuing regional ordination?
A: Yes.
Q: Where can I find listings of the course opportunities?
A: For dates and sites of the Boundaries and History/Polity courses, check out the GRR calendar at http://www.abcgrr.org/upcomingevents/calendar.html
Q: Why Alternative Ministerial Education?
A: Regional Ordination Program has had a name change as of January 18, 2008 by action of the GRR Board of Ministries.
The name of the Regional Ordination Program (ROP) to Alternative Ministerial Education (AME). Nothing is being changed about the content or procedures of the ROP. The reason for the suggested change is to more accurately reflect the purpose of the program. This is non-traditional education. It is not a path that guarantees or even implies ordination.
Q: What is the purpose of offering Alternative Ministerial Education?
A: Read the statement of purpose at: http://www.abcgrr.org/altmined/purpose.htm
Q: What is the relationship of Alternative Ministerial Education and the Region?
A: Alternative Ministerial Education is an offering of the GRR through its COMSAO.
Q: I am interested in enrolling in the Alternative Ministerial Education. Who is the best person to talk with?
A: Carl Cottingham, Dean of the Program.
Q: Is there an overview of the process of enrollment and participation in the process?
A: Your best resource is Dean Carl Cottingham, but for a brief overview click here.
Q: I have heard of COMSAO. What is it?
A: COMSAO, or Council on Ministerial Standing and Ordination, is the shepherding body of the Great Rivers for those who are in any and all of the three tracks toward ordination. Dean Cottingham sits as a member of this Council. For more on the ordination process, click here.
Q: I was enrolled at one time in the Regional Licensure and Ordination Program (the predecessor of the Alternative Ministerial Education). Can I get any credit for course work/projects accomplished in that program should I decide to enroll in Alternative Ministerial Education?
A: Your best answer will come from Dean Carl Cottingham.
Q: I have found other sources of learning to be especially helpful. Who can I submit this material to for consideration for satisfying requirements of Alternative Ministerial Education?
A: Dean Carl Cottingham.
Q: I have found sites and other sources of learnings to be particularly helpful. Who do I submit these to for consideration of listing them on this page for others on the path of lifelong learning?
A: Richard Ricks, GRR Web Ministries Team Leader at revrick4@comcast.net