BP Partners

Executive Archive: 2001

BP Note:

I finished my Master of Divinity in the summer of 2001 and I did not apply another job. Basic Progress is what I am to be doing in Christian service. With the prison opportunity coming to a conclusion, it was necessary to move to the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex and introduce Basic Progress to the free world. At the beginning, we worked with transition facilities and continued to work with only male groups. It would not be long before we went coeducational, but it was a time of both excitement and wonder. I did not have any idea what was to happen, but I did what I thought was next. I also felt that for credibility and public appeal that I would need to continue my education. Normally, there is a requirement of three year practical ministry prior to enrolling in the Brite Doctor of Ministry program. Because of BP, it was waived for me and I began immediately in the fall of 2001. Here is the letter that I offered with my application to Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.

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Re: DMin application addendum: Ministerial employment.

Sirs,

Since the fall of 1995, I have volunteered as minister and counselor in the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice. This ministry has evolved into a full time enterprise wherein classes are conducted to assist those interested in spiritual formation. Basic Progress Ministries, Inc. is now incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. I am the founder and author of the curriculum. I feel it incumbent on me to explain the nature of this course.

The essence of the Basic Progress is 'heart' surgery --it is designed to produce a new attitude, create a radically different perspective, and ultimately, to harness and redirect one's personality to a life of forgiveness, grace, prayer, humility and faith. The Basic Progress curriculum is an intense progression of lecture, discussion, activities, lessons, disciplines, and exercises that serve to guide the participant's personal growth to a mature and stable relationship with God. The first phase, Basic Progress, is designed to assist the student in documenting priorities and analyzing existing views of God. It includes goal setting, prioritizing activities, a thorough self-examination, and an analysis of relationships. The second phase, Practical Truth, includes an overview of World religions and serves as an introduction to Christianity. It is during this phase that they are challenged to accept Christ. The last three phases, Foundation, Cornerstone, and Structure are each a ninety day guided study that teaches the language of biblical prayer, songs of worship, words from early Christians and daily chapter readings from the New Testament. These new converts meet weekly in a discussion group to encourage and support one another. As they contend with their course assignments, the level of spiritual insight and understanding increases, which in turn, prepares them for the next session. In other words, we reveal the Gospel in progressive stages.

For your information, I have enclosed a copy of the curriculum and a recent article written by one of my former students. The Echo is a statewide newsletter that is distributed throughout the Prison system for offenders and staff. The order of the workbooks is beige, green, blue, and purple. The beige book, A Good Bad Example, is my personal story up to the time I moved to Abilene. The purple book, Foundation, is an example of the last three phases. I do not know if this is pertinent, but hopefully it gives some explanation as to my professional whereabouts for the last few years. During this entire time, I have been a full time student as well.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

James Holland Jr.