Congregational Leadership Certificate Program

Our online Congregational Leadership Certificate Program provides theological education and practical ministry skills and strategies in several specialized ministry areas. Perhaps you are sensing a call to ministry or you need focused study in a ministry area such as children’s or youth ministry, music and worship, preaching, or teaching. If so, the certificate program is a great place to start.

Every course lasts for four (4) weeks. Each week you will complete assigned readings and learning exercises and engage in online discussions with other learners and the instructor. The online course materials and discussion forums are Internet-based. This means that you can access them anytime, from anywhere.

To earn the Congregational Leadership Certificate participants complete four core courses and three courses in a ministry concentration. Those who are not seeking to earn the certificate may take any course(s) of interest. The certificate program is open to all without regard to educational background. <Learn More>

Seminars

We offer a variety of on-site seminars and workshops that vary in length from four hours to three days. If you are looking for resources to help you strengthen your congregational leadership skills, develop gift-based ministry in your congregation, or plan for a sabbatical leave, we have an event for you. <Learn More>

Online Courses

Online course materials and discussion forums are Internet-based. This means that you can access them anytime, from anywhere. These highly interactive courses provide plentiful opportunities to discuss course readings and issues with the facilitator and other participants. <Learn More>

The Scholarship Story

Did you know that you are eligible for a School of Christian Ministry Scholarship? Scholarship funds are made available through grants from the Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. and the Lilly-funded Network for Ministerial Excellence Project. These funds enable us to scholarship 50% of tuition and registration fees for all SCM courses and events. To download the one-page application, click the scholarship application link at the bottom of this page.

Resources for You and Your Congregation

A variety of resources are offered to you from sabbatical leave planning materials to Bible study and discussion guides to your portal to developing online educational resources for your congregation. <Learn More>

Our Purpose

“To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

Becoming the people and the congregations that God has called you to be is hard work – preparation for the task does not begin or end with a seminary degree. Regardless of the number of years you have spent in ministry, regardless of your role as paid staff or laity, and regardless of your previous education, engaging in continuing education will help you be more effective. You may need theological education, practical ministry training, or time for reflection and renewal. The School of Christian Ministry seeks to meet you where your needs are with timely and relevant courses, events, and resources.

Links for the
School of Christian Ministry
Course Descriptions
Request a catalog
Click Here for the School of Christian Ministry Catalog
(5 Mb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Click here to download the School of Christian Ministry Registration Form
(163 Kb Adobe Acrobat PDF)
Click here to download the School of Christian Ministry Scholarship Application
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