On March 10, the Moody Bible Institute Distance Learning course Christian Worship was awarded the 2010 Online Course of the Year (COTY) by the Association of Christian Continuing Education Schools and Seminaries (ACCESS) and Christianity Today. This is the 13th COTY honor Moody has received and the second award for an online course. The award was accepted by Kevin Mahaffy, Director of Operations and Production, at the 39th Annual ACCESS Conference at Cincinnati Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mahaffy presented the award to Dr. Paul Nyquist, Moody’s President, on March 26.
“Moody’s course scored a perfect 10 out of 10 with our judging criteria,” said Mary Lowe, ACCESS Executive Director. “Christian Worship is the epitome of smart instructional design, advanced online development and quality learner support. Additionally, and most importantly, the course content truly enables students to deepen their relationships with God through worship.”
The course, which is offered five times per academic year, was developed through the Moody Music Department under the direction of Cynthia Uitermarkt, Professor and Chair of the department. Stephen Klingbeil, Adjunct Professor and Worship Pastor at Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, Ind., created the course using video clips from a Liberty Bible Church service where he discussed particular worship topics from biblical and practical points-of-view. Richard Lin, Online Instructional Designer, was responsible for the course design. Klingbeil’s clips are used along with the Bible and Worship in the Spirit and Truth: A Refreshing Study of the Principles and Practice of Biblical Worship to help students build a solid foundation in their understanding of God’s intentions for worship.
“We are incredibly honored and grateful to have our course recognized in this way by such esteemed Christian organizations,” said Bill Blocker, Vice President of Education Services at Moody. “This award is a testament to how God has chosen to use Moody in equipping students to not only grow in their own faith, but to spread the good news of the gospel through means such as worship.”
Since October 2008, for 24 of its courses, Moody Distance Learning (MDL) has offered students the benefits and opportunities of a standard 16-week semester in only eight weeks. Christian Worship is the first course with an eight week format to win this award. In fall 2011, MDL will offer a full Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies degree using the eight week format and it is currently developing a Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership degree with concentrations in Leadership, Preaching and Women’s Ministry.
“As Moody’s Distance Learning offering continues to grow and adapt to an increasingly digital world, by God’s grace, it is our goal to ensure that the courses and class formats we offer are not only relevant and accessible to our students, but that they also glorify God and advance His Kingdom,” said Mahaffy.
Click here to view a video excerpt from the award-winning course, Christian Worship.