Lilly Endowment

The grant supports a full redesign of Northeastern Seminary’s online experience.

We want to make theological education more formative, relational, and effective for real ministry. That means streamlining digital tools and teaching practices, renovating our field placement experience, and introducing immersive technologies that give students hands-on practice in preaching, counseling, and leadership.

At its core, the project advances our mission: preparing biblically grounded, spiritually mature, culturally aware, and technologically adept leaders for the church and the world.

These tools are not replacing traditional study or spiritual formation. Instead, they enhance them. Students will be able to:

• Walk through biblical and historic sites in VR to deepen interpretation.
• Gather in 3D collaborative spaces for class discussion and prayer.
• Engage in 360° ministry simulations to practice pastoral decision-making.
• Use AI-enabled counseling scenarios to build conversational and care skills with guided feedback.

Each tool is carefully chosen to support learning outcomes, not just add novelty.

Students will see a simpler, more consistent online learning environment with standardized platforms, improved course design, and clearer expectations. Zoom use will feel more intentional and interactive. Field placements will be overhauled, offering stronger mentoring, integrated assessments, and direct links to coursework.

The goal is to close the gap between seminary education and the realities of ministry so graduates step into leadership with greater confidence and readiness.

Yes. Core learning will always be available through standard laptops and internet access. VR and 360° features will be layered in as enhancements, not requirements, and we’ll provide accessible alternatives for students without high-end devices.

Faculty will receive training to ensure technology supports - not distracts from - student formation.

We are also committed to ethical use of AI, protecting privacy, and aligning tools with Christian convictions.

The first changes come with streamlined platforms and redesigned fieldwork. Immersive technologies will be piloted in select courses before scaling more broadly.

Success will be measured by student engagement, mentor feedback, skill growth in simulations, and church reports on graduates’ preparedness.

Churches and alumni will also have opportunities to partner, contributing real-world scenarios, mentoring students, and helping shape the tools that will serve the church of the future.

No. This is a comprehensive effort to improve online theological education. It includes course design, faculty development, student connection, accessibility, field education, and immersive learning.

No. Core experiences will be accessible through a standard web browser. VR headsets may provide an enhanced experience, but they will remain optional.

No. AI will be used to simulate practice conversations. It will not replace pastors, counselors, faculty members, mentors, or spiritual directors.

Students will interact with AI-based practice clients in supervised learning activities. Faculty will guide the experience, provide feedback, and help students reflect on their responses.

Each experience will be connected to course objectives and assignments. The technology will support learning rather than function as a separate demonstration.

The Seminary will simplify digital tools, create more consistent course structures, support faculty, improve accessibility, and strengthen interaction among students and instructors.

The project will create more intentional opportunities for conversation, collaboration, mentoring, spiritual formation, and community-building.

Field education will include clearer expectations, stronger mentoring, improved assessment, and closer connections between academic coursework and ministry practice.

Churches and pastors may host field placements, serve as mentors, suggest ministry scenarios, join focus groups, test new experiences, and provide feedback about ministry preparation.

The Seminary will evaluate student learning, connection, retention, ministry competencies, field education, student satisfaction, faculty participation, and long-term sustainability.

Yes. The project will prioritize browser access, captions, accessible materials, technical support, usability testing, and alternatives for students who cannot use VR.

No. The technology is intended to prepare students for real relationships and ministry situations. It will support, not replace, embodied ministry and field experience.