August 12, 2024
by Greg Henson, CEO Kairos University; President of Sioux Falls Seminary
Kairos University is not only a community of learning, it is also a community of service. We tune our hearts to the needs of those with whom God brings us into relationship. As we have said before, “Yes, that means we might ‘lose’ money that might have otherwise come our way. Yes, that means that other organizations might take advantage of this approach and seek to exploit it for their own benefit. Yes, that is what we think it looks like to give away power and control. Yes, giving away power and control is part of what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
In 2015, as the Board of Trustees of Sioux Falls Seminary was discerning its strategic direction, the board affirmed a commitment to joyfully sharing with others as we embody the economy of God. Practically speaking, this meant being radically transparent with data and open-handed with everything we were learning about collaboration, competency-based theological education (CBTE), clinical mental health, and the operational practices we were attempting to embody.
One could see how this approach to sharing might be cause for concern. Upon hearing about our commitment to sharing, the president of another school remarked, “I can’t share with you because my school will lose its competitive advantage.” In another conversation, the leader of a university expressed concern for me by saying, “What keeps someone from stealing all of your ideas and putting you out of business?” For the past ten years, our response to questions like these has been, “There is no competition in the Kingdom of God.” We are stewards of God’s resources not just leaders of an institution. Everything we do is focused on joining with a community of people who call Jesus Lord.
Through this open-handed commitment to collaboration, we have seen God multiply our efforts in powerful ways around the world. Here are a few examples.
Embracing a Subscription Tuition Model
After conversations with us, several schools have adopted our subscription-based approach to tuition. Student debt has decreased at each school.
Growth of CBTE as an Educational Model in Theological Education
In 2014, only three seminaries in the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) were engaged in CBTE. Today, dozens of ATS schools have launched a program that leverages CBTE principles. We have helped schools develop their programs, even to the point of sharing our documents, curriculum, staff time, and relationships. In collaboration with others, we have helped steward an annual conference focused on CBTE. It has been highlighted by ATS. The growth in CBTE has been recognized by ATS, The Association for Biblical Higher Education, and the Lilly Endowment, all of which have initiatives that support CBTE.
Newly-Accredited Schools
We helped one partner school gain accreditation through ATS and another become accredited by DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission). We provided letters of support for a handful of others, as well.
Global CBTE Movement
Through our partners and commitment to global partnerships, we have helped the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE) develop global standards and guidelines for CBTE and have provided training for schools and faculty around the world.
Probation Assistance
We walked with two schools that were placed on probation by their accreditors. In one case, we walked alongside the school for nearly two years as they created a case for maintaining their accreditation.
Partnership Development
Rather than building an empire wherein everyone partners with us, we have helped partner organizations create network collaborations of their own thereby enhancing their work and expanding their reach apart from Kairos.
Clinical Mental Health Services
We created pathways for mental health clinics to share services, provided free consultations to other clinics, and helped therapists launch private practices.
Numerically speaking, our collaborative approach to sharing resources has produced fruit beyond our wildest imagination. While Kairos is significantly larger than it was ten years ago, the impact of our work extends well beyond the number of students and clients we serve. Nearly three dozen seminaries in ATS, hundreds of churches, and countless leaders engaged in theological education have been served through our work over the past ten years. God took our loaves and fishes, blessed them, and provided enough for not only Kairos University but also for thousands of others around the world who may never interact with us, pay us tuition, or visit one of our clinics.
Yes, that means we might ‘lose’ money that might have otherwise come our way. Yes, that means that other organizations might take advantage of this approach and seek to exploit it for their own benefit. Yes, that is what we think it looks like to give away power and control. Yes, giving away power and control is part of what it means to be a follower of Christ.