BUTLER TWP — The Rev. Steve Fisher thought for a long time about offering Bible courses at his church. But like many pastors with the same aspiration, Fisher realized developing a curriculum would detract from his primary role at the church.

"It takes a lot of work," said Fisher, who pastors some 300 people at New Testament Baptist Church on North Duffy Road.

Apparently, more than 120 Baptist pastors shared those sentiments, as all have partnered with Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Ind., offering access to an emerging online program through their church websites.

Called Keystone Christian Institute, the program at New Testament will offer Bible-based courses for those seeking personal development. It also will offer courses for church volunteers. Examples might include training to serve as an usher or to work in the nursery.

"So many careers allow people to take continuing eduction credits, we just wanted to kind of bring that type of attitude toward our church membership and toward our volunteers," Fisher said. "Although they're volunteers, let's make sure they are empowered and confident they are doing a good job."

Although most of New Testament's 12 enrollees are church members, Fisher said at least one signed up after finding the program with an Internet search engine since the courses became available in April.

With three of an eventual 12-plus courses now linked to the church site, Fisher said many people are enrolling to better themselves and supplement teachings in church.

Joan Hogan, 76, is among them, having just completed a class called Practical Survey of the Scriptures.

"It's a big picture of the scriptures," said Hogan, of Butler Township.

"It gives each book of the Bible: It gives the theme of it, it gives the writer of it, it gives several important Bible verses in the book," she said.

Hogan said the 20-lesson course consists of video lessons accessed online, with Microsoft PowerPoint, audio files and text as supplements.

"You take a little quiz. It's not a very extensive quiz, but it hits the important parts," she said. "It was very informative."

Penn Township resident Mike Weleski has begun taking the courses as a way to improve himself despite a hectic work schedule.

"Basically, I've been wanting to study the Bible, wanting to learn more about the Bible. It's hard to find courses that are local," said Weleski, 31.

"I actually do participate in a discipleship program at church," Weleski added. "They meet every Sunday at the church, but I'm only able to be there every other Sunday. I will probably still do both," he said. "But I would rather do the online stuff because I'm a computer generation guy."

At a cost per course of $29.95, Weleski said one big draw of the online study is the audio files that can be downloaded to an mp3 player, which he uses while driving between his two jobs.

"The courses have the multiple formats, just to give them an ease of use," said Paul Boyce, an information technology spokesman for Hyles-Anderson.

Boyce said the program was launched after a need was continually expressed at an annual pastors conference hosted by the First Baptist Church in Hammond, an affiliate of the college.

"It's a way to resource pastors so they can train church members in some sort of an official capacity without creating the curriculum. It gives them a system and the curriculum in a box they can use and offer as their own institute. It allows them to be autonomous," Boyce said.

Instructors for the online program are made up of a combination of college faculty and officials at the church.

"There is some overlap between courses that are offered through this college ... but not to a great extent," he added.

Boyce said the college is not actively marketing the program yet, since only three courses are complete, with 15 to 20 in development. Those will be added at the rate of one per month.

"We're working with this group of pastors to get their feedback ... and we'll adapt it accordingly," Boyce said.

So far, Fisher said he is pleased with the quality of courses, which fulfill his goal of offering Bible-based courses to missionaries in developing courses as well as local people wishing to study at home.

"The whole idea is sometimes people don't like the in-your-face type of approach a church might take, so it's very non-threatening," Fisher said.

"Of course as a pastor I wouldn't want it, but some people don't feel they need to go to church: Watching Christian programming and turning to the Internet — we wanted to provide an avenue for those who choose to go that route. We have no problem saying 'Here it is. Take it for what it is. Let us know if we can help you.'"

For more information about the Keystone Christian Institute, go to http://visitntbc.com/.