Certificate in Lay Ministry (online)

Oct. 2011-June 2012

Now offered online as well as on campus, the Certificate in Lay Ministry Program is designed to help train, equip, and support men and women to serve more effectively as commissioned lay pastors, Christian-education directors, lay-ministry coordinators, youth leaders, church administrators, church elders and deacons and church office managers, as well as in a variety of other paid and unpaid leadership positions in local congregations. Classes take place over a nine-month period, from October to June.

Courses are specifically designed to provide the following components:

• a theoretical framework and foundation in leadership and ministry issues from a Christian perspective;
• practical skills and tools to help participants lead and manage increasingly complex ministries;
• support in ministry, and networking opportunities with other church professionals.
  
  

Costs:

• $750 (books are extra)
• $35 non-refundable deposit required to register

Payment Plans:

• 10% discount if paid in full by Sept. 1 or;
• pay in full on or before the first day of class or;
• pay half on or before the first day of class, and the remaining half on or before Jan. 1, 2012. (A monthly finance charge of 1.5% applies.)

Cancellation Policy:

• Up to two weeks prior to class: 100% refund (excluding deposit)
• Less than two weeks prior to first class: Loss of $35 deposit, plus half of what has been paid.

Course Dates and Topics:

Oct. 3-28, 2011
Biblical Foundations for Ministry
Topics include biblical and theological foundations for the church and ministry; discovering and developing your spiritual gifts.

Oct. 31- Nov. 25
The Bible and Ministry
Topics include overview of the Old and New Testaments; how the Bible came to be; basic principles of biblical interpretation.

Nov. 28-Dec. 23
Theology and Ministry
Topics include themes in Christian theology and an introduction to Reformed theology.

Jan. 2-27, 2012
Christian Leadership and Ministry
Topics include transformational and servant leadership; understanding the unique culture of your church; the influence of size and different generations on the ministry of the church.

Jan. 30-Feb. 24
Spirituality and Ministry
Topics include worship through the ages; models of Christian spirituality in church history; developing healthy spiritual disciplines.

Feb. 27-March 23
Church History and Ministry
Topics include brief history of the Christian church; major themes in church history; how the church has historically practiced ministry.

April 2-27
Effective Communication in Ministry
Topics include basic principles of communication; dealing with and managing conflicts with individuals and groups.

April. 30-May 25
Management and Administration of Ministry
Topics include working effectively with volunteers, staff and church boards; creating and leading more effective church meetings; recruiting and training volunteers; understanding stewardship and church budgets.

June 4-29
Pastoral Care and Ministry
Topics include basic principles of counseling; grief and crisis counseling; home and hospital visitation.

Hardware, Software & Internet Requirements

Hardware:
You are required to have a computer capable of running the software listed below, including five or more gigabytes (Gs) of free space on the hard drive after software installation, at least two Gs (three or higher is strongly recommended) of RAM, sound capabilities, CD or DVD drive, and an installed Internet/network connection device with broadband capabilities.

Whitworth University Computer Recommendation Website: http://www.whitworth.edu/Administration/InformationSystems/HelpDesk/StudentComputerSpecifications.htm

Minimum Software:

• Windows XP SP3 (Home or Pro), Vista or Windows 7 with all updates; Mac OS X 10.4 or higher with all updates; LinuxOS with the latest Windows or MacOS emulator installed that allows you to run the programs or the equivalent of the programs listed below:
• All OS security and critical updates must be installed.
• Microsoft Office 2007 Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the PC with the Microsoft Office 2008; Microsoft Office 2008 for the Mac, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• All Office security and critical updates installed
• Updated antivirus software (see Whitworth's website for approved software.)
• A malware/spyware removal program
• RealPlayer SP or higher (free download)
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 or higher (free download)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.2 or higher (free download)
• Adobe Flash
• Sun Systems JAVA Plugin 6.17 or higher (free download)
• Other software per your instructor's requirements

Internet:

• You will need a reliable high-speed/broadband Internet service provider (ISP). If you use AOL or an ISP with its own browser, you should have an alternate browser installed on your computer.
• For WindowsOS: Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 7 or higher (IE 8 has known issues with Blackboard quizzes and surveys)
• For MacOS: Safari 2 or higher, although Safari users may find they face some limitations in Blackboard.
• Mozilla Firefox 3.5 or higher (This is the most highly recommended browser for Blackboard.)
• Javascript and cookies must be enabled, and pop-ups must be disabled for Blackboard, Whitworth e-mail, and WhitNet on all browsers and in all toolbars. You may need to enable Active X controls for the above websites.

Whitworth University provides all current students with a Whitworth e-mail address and a Blackboard account. Students are required to check their Whitworth e-mail accounts; all Whitworth communication is through the Whitworth e-mail address. For assistance related to your specific equipment, contact Judy Dehle at 509.777.4387, or e-mail jdehle@whitworth.edu.

Online registration is now available.

For further information, contact Michelle Pace at mpace@whitworth.edu or 509.777.3275.