About BAO
Biblische Ausbildung am Ort (Biblical Training on Location; BAO) is a non-residential, non-formal training program for lay leaders in German-speaking churches of Europe. While its discipleship courses appeal to a wide range of believers, the more numerous "classic" courses train mainly elders, deacons, small-group leaders, and the like.
BAO courses require a significant degree of self-study, but they also require biweekly seminars to deepen the learning experience. They convey important information, but give equal emphasis to character formation and practical application (cf. Head-Heart-Hand)
BAO is expressly a church-based ministry. Small course groups can be found in churches throughout Austria as well as in a growing number of places in Germany and Switzerland. Typically each year ca. 700 people choose to take part in one or the other of BAO's over 30 courses.
In October, 1983 a first pilot project was started, using the New Testament survey course developed by the Eastern European Seminary (now known as Entrust4). This was offered under the auspices of the Austrian Association of Evangelicals (ARGEGÖ) and the courses were well- received. As a result BAO began officially as a program in January, 1984. The ARGEGÖ's sponsorship of the program was made permanent at its meeting in October, 1984. Today BAO still maintains a partnership with the ARGEGÖ, but now encompasses churches beyond Austria's borders.
As of October, 2004, BAO opened a formal Bible school-seminary program (the Evangelikale Akademie) in Austria for the purpose of training those going into vocational ministry. Ca. 35 part-time students are enrolled in the EVAK's two centers (Vienna and Villach). The EVAK's degree programs are still unaccredited, but it is already a member of both the European Evangelical Accrediting Association (EEAA) and the Konferenz Bibeltreuer Ausbildungsstätten (KbA).
BAO also helps lead the Alliance for Church-Based Training. One main project of the CBT-Alliance is to sponsor symposia to network programs of various types doing non-formal discipleship and training for Christian leadership. Another major project is the maintenance of the CBT-database.
More information on BAO can be found on its homepage at www.bao.at.
