Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of ministry is Third Millennium Ministries?
We produce, publish and distribute a multimedia seminary
curriculum in multiple languages.
What is the mission of Third Millennium Ministries?
Third
Millennium Ministries' mission is to build the church by
providing a multimedia seminary curriculum to church leaders in
their own lands and languages.
Why the name "Third Millennium Ministries"?
We focus on means of
communication, production and distribution
that are current and forward looking. In the second millennium the
moveable-type printing press was instrumental to the growth of the
church. Today, we are using technology such as digital video, DVD,
broadband internet access, and direct satellite and cable broadcast
to help build God's kingdom.
Why is the mission of Third Millennium Ministries so
important?
There are at least two million functioning pastors outside of
North America who do not have access to theological education.
Equipping indigenous leaders is crucial to the strength and
growth of the church.
Why hasn't this need been met before now?
Traditional
solutions have been insufficient. Indigenous church leaders have
been sent to study in North American seminaries, but typically have
not returned to minister in their native countries. Missionaries are
typically not trained to provide higher education, and do not have
the tools, time or manpower to do so. Success in establishing
traditional seminaries in underprivileged nations has been limited
by lack of funding, facilities and staff, as well as by government
restrictions and the poor financial situations of indigenous church
leaders.
Why hasn't Third Millennium Ministries'
solution been accomplished before now?
Theological educators have long been aware of the effectiveness of
employing various media. But they have also been hindered by the
enormous costs of multimedia productions, particularly specialized
materials such as seminary courses.
Is Third Millennium Ministries evangelistic?
Yes,
Third
Millennium Ministries is evangelistic.
Christ commissioned the church to "go and make disciples
of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). We believe that one vital
dimension of this goal is equipping church leaders throughout
the world with the ability to apply Scripture and sound theology.
Why the five languages: English, Arabic, Chinese,
Russian and Spanish?
These are the languages spoken where the church is growing
most rapidly and where the need for well taught leaders is
greatest. Sadly, church leaders throughout Africa, the Middle
East, Asia, the former Soviet Union, Latin America and other
lands have little to no opportunity to learn the Scriptures
and sound theology.
Why not other languages?
There is a great need for sound seminary curriculum in other
languages. It is simply a matter of what we can handle financially and
logistically at this time.
Why do you refer to your materials as “curriculum”?
Third Millennium Ministries is producing a
seminary
curriculum. Our initial goal is to produce the equivalent content
of a seminary Master of Arts degree in our five targeted languages.
Why do you refer to your curriculum as “multimedia”?
Our curriculum is produced primarily in the form of
audio-visual
presentations supported by
written materials
including study
guides. Video lessons are available on DVD and/or VHS, and the
corresponding study guides can be accessed and printed free of
charge through our website.
Is Third Millennium Ministries' curriculum professionally
produced and academically reliable in all five languages?
Yes, all teachers featured by Third Millennium Ministries are
seminary
professors who specialize in the subjects they teach in our lessons.
Third Millennium Ministries' curriculum staff is comprised of
professionally trained theologians, writers, designers, audio
technicians and videographers. IIIM recruits scholarly and
theologically educated native translators, speakers and coordinators
for our foreign language videos. Each lesson contains the same
content in every language.
Where do I start with your curriculum?
The multimedia seminary video curriculum we have produced up to
this point consists of introductory material that a first-year
student would experience. As a result, you can begin with any
Third Millennium Ministries video module (series). Once we have
produced post-requisite level lessons, we will provide a scheduled
outline for working through the entire curriculum.
Is Third Millennium Ministries a school? Are you accredited?
Do you award degrees or certificates?
Third Millennium Ministries is not a school. Third Millennium
Ministries is not accredited nor are we seeking accreditation.
We do not award degrees or certificates. Our role is as a producer
and provider of seminary level content. IIIM curriculum is designed
to be used independently, or in support of existing organizations
and individuals in the field.
Are any of your materials free?
We freely distribute our multimedia curriculum for use in emerging
and underprivileged countries. Study guides for our videos are
available online free of charge. We also offer thousands of other
free
internet resources including audio sermons, articles, books,
and our Q&A Knowledgebase.
Can I reproduce Third Millennium Ministries' video seminary
curriculum?
Our curriculum is copyrighted. Videos may be reproduced only with
permission from Third Millennium Ministries. Third Millennium Ministries
does provide master copies to reliable individuals and organizations
for use in duplicating and distributing additional copies in
underprivileged lands.
Is Third Millennium Ministries associated with other
organizations?
We have forged a number of strategic relationships with Bible
schools, seminaries, churches, agencies and missionaries, both
domestically and abroad. Much of the distribution and use of our
curriculum is through these strategic relationships.
Is Third Millennium Ministries a part of or governed by a
denomination?
Third Millennium Ministries is not part of or governed by a denomination.
What is the theological orientation of Third Millennium
Ministries' curriculum?
Our curriculum is compatible with a wide range of evangelical Protestant
theologies. We work hard to ensure that our personal theological distinctives
are downplayed rather than highlighted, in order to make the curriculum
as ecumenical as possible.
Does Third Millennium have a statement of faith or statement
of doctrinal beliefs?
Yes, the doctrines we hold to are briefly summarized in our
statement of faith.
A more complete statement of our doctrinal standards can be found in
the Westminster Confession
of Faith together with its Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
Why is Third Millennium Ministries' website formatted with
so few graphics?
Our website is accessed internationally. Although we try to maintain
a contemporary and esthetically pleasing site, the overriding factor
is universal access and usability. The website's text-heavy format
makes it more accessible to users in underprivileged nations.
Is Third Millennium Ministries non-profit?
Third Millennium Ministries is a non-profit corporation and
is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Third Millennium
Ministries depends on the generous, tax-deductible
contributions
of numerous churches, foundations, businesses and individuals.
How is Third Millennium Ministries financially accountable?
Third Millennium Ministries is a
member
of the Evangelical
Council for Financial Accountability.
What is Dr. Pratt's role with Third Millennium Ministries?
Dr. Pratt is one of the ministry's founders, the ministry's president,
and a teaching professor for some of our curriculum.
What information is available on Third Millennium
Ministries’ progress and effectiveness?
Our
progress report describes how many lessons we have completed,
and where they are used. It also offers web statistics. Our
endorsements page describes the effectiveness of our materials
in the field. Our
strategic relations page contains other information on
our effectiveness in the field, as well as details on the progress
of our distribution.