New Life Theological Seminary

[dhfr]

Today's Times and Democrat (S. Carolina) has this story: Local seminary fills pulpits nationally and internationally (http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2004/12/09/features/doc41b91eec4ef5f250729919.txt)

Accredited by Accrediting Commission International in Beebe, Ark.

What do you think?

[J]

Seems a sincere effort.

They are candidates for accreditation with TRACS. Presumably this accounts for the removal of mention of ACI at their accreditation page:

http://www.nlts.org/templates/con23re/details.asp?id=25045&PID=100178

Did they ever offer doctorates? They don't now - perhaps because of the above.

I can certainly see the vocational relevance of their MA in Urban Christian Ministry: http://www.nlts.org/templates/con23re/details.asp?id=25045&PID=100175

[Jimmy Clifton]

New Life is indeed a candidate for accreditation with TRACS.

The concerns I have are the ACI connection and Dr. Copeland's theological degrees. Schools with the names of the ones listed for him have been classified as degree mills by those in the know. Not knowing the exact location of his schools makes an assessment difficult at this time.

New Life does seem like a sincere effort. Their Master's in Urban Ministry is to be commended. The urban areas of America, especially those where there is a predominant minority population, have been ignored by the Christian community away too long.

[Jabbezzz]

Sorry, guys! The New Life Theological Seminary which is a candidate for TRACS is located in Charlotte, NC. The New Life Theological Seminary in the article is located in South Carolina. These are two totally separate institutions with absolutely no connection. I personally know one of the professors at the NLTS in Charlotte, and it is indeed a reputable school.

The statement in the article, where Rev. Copeland suggests "all religious institutions accept our accreditation," is not true. Either Mr. Copeland is not educated on matters of accreditation or he is intentionally misrepresenting the truth. I would think it is the former, because his school seems to be a sincere effort.

[J]

Schools with the names of the ones listed for him have been classified as degree mills by those in the know.

Who are "those in the know", and where and on what basis have they identified those schools as diploma mills?

[J]

Sorry, guys! The New Life Theological Seminary which is a candidate for TRACS is located in Charlotte, NC. The New Life Theological Seminary in the article is located in South Carolina. These are two totally separate institutions with absolutely no connection. I personally know one of the professors at the NLTS in Charlotte, and it is indeed a reputable school.

The statement in the article, where Rev. Copeland suggests "all religious institutions accept our accreditation," is not true. Either Mr. Copeland is not educated on matters of accreditation or he is intentionally misrepresenting the truth. I would think it is the former, because his school seems to be a sincere effort.

That is significant. It will be clear that I was referencing the TRACS candidate in error rather than the ACI school above.

To help clarify the discussion, can we have a URL for the *other* New Life?

When I saw Copeland's statement you refer to, I thought it was curious, and agree with you on it. It would be worth establishing which schools have accepted his school's credits.

[Jimmy Clifton]

Sorry, guys! The New Life Theological Seminary which is a candidate for TRACS is located in Charlotte, NC. The New Life Theological Seminary in the article is located in South Carolina. These are two totally separate institutions with absolutely no connection. I personally know one of the professors at the NLTS in Charlotte, and it is indeed a reputable school.

The statement in the article, where Rev. Copeland suggests "all religious institutions accept our accreditation," is not true. Either Mr. Copeland is not educated on matters of accreditation or he is intentionally misrepresenting the truth. I would think it is the former, because his school seems to be a sincere effort.

Good eye! I'll have to do a better job reading articles. I read "South Carolina" and saw "North Carolina" where I know the TRACS candidate New Life is.

[Jimmy Clifton]

Who are "those in the know", and where and on what basis have they identified those schools as diploma mills?

These include a few people who have been somewhat controversial so I won't mention any names in order to keep this forum civil. I will say, however, Dr. Thomas Schwartz, whom I have great respect and admiration, is a very knowledgeable man in the fields of DL, especially religious DL and I respect his opinions and knowledge.

[Jabbezzz]

www.nlts.org

This is the Charlotte, NC, school.