IN THIS ISSUE	Volume 12 Issue # 2 - February, 2012
* RTS Virtual Will Be Represented At The Embers To A Flame Conference * New PCA App Released * RTS Mobile App Now Available * Virtual Campus Orientation Seminars * Church History Tour Sponsored By RTS Charlotte * Discussion Groups For Formal Theological Training As A Specialized Ministry Of The Local Church * Third Party Comments For RTS' Accreditation
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RTS VIRTUAL WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE EMBERS TO A FLAME CHURCH REVITALIZATION CONFERENCE
Jim McAlhaney, Director of Admissions/Student Services for the RTS Virtual Campus, will be attending the Embers To A Flame Conference, February 3-4, 2012, in Matthews, NC. If you are attending, be sure to stop by the booth in the vendor area. For more information on attending this exciting conference, click here.

NEW PCA APP RELEASED
Steve Surprenant (M.Div. '98) tells us that a man in his congregation has developed an app for the iPhone that was just released yesterday. It contains the PCA directory, plus the book of church order, plus the Westminster Confession and catechisms, plus the Apostles Creed, etc. See the app here. 

RTS MOBILE APP NOW AVAILABLE
Joining last year's Westminster Shorter Catechism in 90 Days app, RTS announces the release of RTS Mobile. This app contains information about RTS as well as the full audio for 30 of our RTS on iTunes U courses. One of the most exciting things about RTS Mobile is that is available on both iOS and Android devices, marking the first time that RTS on iTunes U content is natively available on the Android platform. More features and content will be added periodically to RTS Mobile, so be on the lookout for those updates through the RTS on iTunes U Newsletter. RTS Mobile is now available in the iTunes Store here and in the Android Market here.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS ORIENTATION SEMINARS
Virtual M.A. (Religion) students are required to complete an Orientation Seminar on an RTS campus near the beginning of their degree work. However, the Orientation Seminar is much more than just a requirement. Orientation is an invaluable opportunity for students to visit an RTS campus, hear lectures from RTS professors, visit top-notch theological libraries, meet with personal advisors from the RTS/Virtual staff, and network with other students. To register, contact Alice Hathaway, Virtual Registrar at ext. 235.

Upcoming dates for Orientation Seminars are:
Monday-Wednesday, February, 27-29 (Charlotte)
Monday-Wednesday, April, 23-25 (Charlotte)

**Note** Before ordering textbooks for any listed upcoming Orientation Seminars, please contact Alice Hathaway at 800-227-2013 ext. 235

CHURCH HISTORY TOUR SPONSORED BY RTS-CHARLOTTE*
You are invited to join Reformed Theological Seminary on an 8-day Christian Heritage tour to England, March 11-17, 2012.  Participants will enjoy sightseeing, shopping and learning about the English Reformation in the actual places where these events occurred.  Professor of Church History, Dr. Don Fortson, will provide commentary and mini-lectures.  In addition to church history sites, we will take a few excursions to places like Windsor Castle and the British Museum.  This is a wonderful time of fellowship as well as breath-taking sites, interesting history and lots of fun.  The trip is very reasonably priced for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Check out www.rts.edu/cht  for a full itinerary, registration information and a pictorial tour from previous trips. 

*2 hours course credit for The English Reformation available through RTS/Virtual.

DISCUSSION GROUPS FOR FORMAL THEOLOGICAL TRAINING AS A SPECIALIZED MINISTRY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
RTS Virtual Campus offers an accredited masters degree via distance education.  The Master of Arts (Religion) is accredited nationally by The Association of Theological Studies and The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  In conjunction with the student’s formal training from the seminary, a local church may add a specialized ministry that is approved and encouraged by leadership. Weekly or monthly meetings at the church are very helpful and fulfill the mentoring requirement for learners and visitors participating in theological distance education.

We believe there are many church benefits including internal formal theological training, external outreach with an accredited graduate degree, local community blessing through Christian civic engagement in the mentoring, and rising local church leaders do not have to move away automatically to seminary for the formal preparation in ministry and academic careers.  Please contact Jim McAlhaney, Director of Admissions/Student Services, at jmcalhaney@rts.edu if you would like more information about the M.A. (Religion) mentoring requirement.

THIRD PARTY COMMENTS FOR RTS’ ACCREDITATION
Reformed Theological Seminary is in the process of the decennial reaffirmation of accreditation with its two accrediting agencies. 

RTS invites third-party comments in writing concerning RTS’ qualifications for reaffirmation.  These comments will be made available to the accreditors and a visiting committee that includes external peer evaluators. 

RTS has two accreditors: The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional accreditor for RTS. The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is a national accreditation agency for theological schools in the United States and Canada.

Please submit any comments in writing to:
Reformed Theological Seminary
Attn: Dr. Robert J. Cara, Chief Academic Officer
2101 Carmel Road
Charlotte, NC  28226