Weyerhaeuser Center
Prospective Students | Current Students | Parents | Faculty & Staff | Alumni | Churches | Donors & Friends
Certificate Programs: Certificate in Lay Ministry (2009-10)

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, church-office managers, and in a variety of other paid and unpaid leadership positions in local congregations. The program is 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 lead and manage increasingly complex ministries;
  • support in ministry and networking opportunities with other church professionals.
Program Dates and Topics

Session 1:
Sept. 12, 2009

Biblical Foundations for Ministry
Topics include biblical and theological foundations for the church and ministry; discovering and developing your spiritual gifts.

Session 2:
Oct. 3, 2009
The Bible and Ministry
Topics include overview of the Old and New Testaments; how the Bible came to be; basic principles of biblical interpretation.
Session 3:
Nov. 7, 2009

Theology and Ministry
Topics include themes in Christian theology and an introduction to Reformed theology.

CLP additional session on Presbyterian polity, Friday evening, Nov. 6, from 6-10 p.m.

Session 4:
Dec. 5, 2009
Spirituality and Ministry
Topics include worship through the ages; models of Christian spirituality in church history; developing healthy spiritual disciplines.
Session 5:
Jan. 9, 2010
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.
Session 6:
Feb. 6, 2010

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

CLP additional session on worship and the sacraments, as well as funerals, Friday evening, Feb. 5, from 6-10 p.m.

Session 7:
March 6, 2010

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.

Session 8:
April 10, 2010

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

CLP additional session, preaching seminar, Friday evening, April 9, from
6-10 p.m.

Session 9:
May 1, 2010
Pastoral Care and Ministry
Topics include basic principles of counseling; grief and crisis counseling; home and hospital visitation.
Session 10:
June 5, 2010

Discipleship and Ministry/Sharing Church Projects
Topics include basic principles of growing healthy churches; sharing church projects; and insights gained from the certificate program.

Program Format

This non-degree program is open to all laypersons who are currently serving or exploring the possibility of serving in a church or Christian organization.

The certificate program includes the following:

  • Participation in seminars that meet once a month for 10 months (September-June). The seminars meet on the first Saturday of each month (except where noted), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

    Participants who are taking the certificate as part of their training to become commissioned lay pastors (CLPs) in the Presbyterian Church (USA) are required to fulfill additional requirements. Those involved in the CLP program will meet on selected Friday evenings (6-10 p.m.) throughout the year in addition to the Saturday sessions. Participants in the Certificate in Lay Ministry Program who are not training to become CLPs are invited to attend these additional Friday evening sessions at no extra charge;
  • Reading assignments, reflection papers, classroom discussion;
  • Participation in a small cohort-community group;
  • Completion of a ministry project that relates to the coursework

Program Faculty

  • Keith Beebe, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology, Whitworth University
  • Ben Brody, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Music, Whitworth University
  • Tim Dolan, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Clergy and Lay Leadership Development, Whitworth University
  • Carl Green, Ph.D., Lecturer, Communication Studies, Whitworth University
  • Sheryl Kinder Pyle, M.Div., Latah Valley New Church Development, Spokane
  • Terry McGonigal, Ph.D., Dean of the Chapel, Whitworth University
  • Rick Melin, D.Min., Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of the Inland Northwest (PCUSA)
  • Karen Petersen Finch, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology, Whitworth University
  • Ron Pyle, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Studies, Whitworth University
  • Jerry Sittser, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Whitworth University

Program Costs

Tuition for the entire program is $750 if registration is received by Aug. 31. After Aug. 31,
tuition is $775. Tuition includes books, materials and lunch. A $100 non-refundable deposit is
required to register. Half of the balance is due Sept. 12, and the remainder is due Jan. 9. A 10 percent discount will be given if payment is made in full by Sept. 12.

Register now or download a registration form (requires Adobe Acrobat).

For more information please contact Rev. Tim Dolan.

Back to Center for Christian Faith & Learning >> Clergy & Lay Programs >> Certificate Programs >>

 
Directions | Campus Map | Pod | RSS | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © Whitworth University. All Rights Reserved. | 300 W. Hawthorne Road, Spokane, WA 99251 | Campus Phone: 509.777.1000