Weyerhaeuser Center

Certificate Programs: Certificate in Lay Ministry (2011-12)

Churches and religious organizations are looking for dedicated men and women to serve in non-ordained positions of leadership. Many otherwise qualified people are reluctant to pursue these positions because they do not feel adequately prepared biblically and theologically. Some need to acquire additional practical skills that will help them to be successful in ministry. Others are already involved in lay-ministry positions but feel limited by their lack of training and the dearth of ongoing opportunities for development and support.

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. The course 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 help participants lead and manage increasingly complex ministries;
support in ministry, and networking opportunities with other church professionals.

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 other Christian organization.

This program includes:

participation in classes that meet once a month from September to June. The classes meet the first Saturday of each month (except where noted), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.;
reading assignments, reflection papers, classroom discussion;
participation in a small community cohort;
completion of a ministry project that relates to the coursework.

What participants say about this program:

The instructors are the "cream of the crop" that Whitworth attracts. Bravo! The cost is reasonable. The thing I like best about this program is that it provides abundant opportunities for students to interact with instructors and other students.

I tell everybody what a great lay ministry program Whitworth University has, and I mean it. I couldn't believe I'd been a lifelong Presbyterian and long-time Sunday School teacher, elder, and deacon, and knew so little before I took that course. Take this as a big THANK YOU to you and all the other professors I had.

The topics are well-thought-out and relevant. What a marvelous and rich group of teachers! They have truly made this program something special. Their passion for teaching is inspiring. Even those topics I thought had the potential to be very dry were presented in exciting ways. I want a semester class from each one of the faculty. I'm excited by the class, and the program has whetted my appetite for more.

I found out things I didn't know I needed to know. The program gives me an idea of the educational direction in which I need to go.

Program Dates and Topics
Session 1: Sept. 10, 2011	Biblical Foundations for Ministry Topics include biblical and theological foundations for the church and ministry; discovering and developing your spiritual gifts. Instructor: Tim Dolan, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Clergy and Lay Leadership Development Whitworth University
Session 2: Oct. 1, 2011	The Bible and Ministry Topics include overview of the Old and New Testaments; how the Bible came to be; basic principles of biblical interpretation. Instructor: Roger Mohrlang, D.Phil., Professor, Theology Department, Whitworth University
Session 3: Nov. 12, 2011	Theology and Ministry Topics include themes in Christian theology and an introduction to Reformed theology. Instructor: Karen Petersen Finch, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Theology Deptartment Whitworth University Additional session on Presbyterian polity, Friday evening, Nov. 11, from 6-10 p.m. Instructor: Rev. Dr. Rick Melin, retired presbytery executive, Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
Session 4: Dec. 3, 2011	Spirituality and Ministry Topics include worship through the ages; models of Christian spirituality in church history; developing healthy spiritual disciplines. Instructor: Terry McGonigal, Ph.D., Dean of Spiritual Life, Whitworth University
Session 5: Jan. 7, 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. Instructor: Tim Dolan, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Clergy and Lay Leadership Development Whitworth University
Session 6: Feb. 4, 2012	Effective Communication in Ministry Topics include basic principles of communication; dealing with and managing conflicts with individuals and groups. Instructor: Ron Pyle, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Studies, Whitworth University Additional session on worship and sacraments, Friday evening, Feb. 3, from 6-10 p.m. Instructor: Ben Brody, D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Music, Whitworth University
Session 7: March 3, 2012	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. Instructor: Carl Green, Ph.D., Lecturer, Communication Studies, Whitworth University
Session 8: April 14, 2012	Church History and Ministry Topics include brief history of the Christian church; major themes in church history; how the church has historically practiced ministry. Instructor: Jerry Sittser, Ph.D., Theology Department, Whitworth University Additional session on preaching, Friday evening, April 13, 6-10 p.m. Instructor: Ron Pyle, Ph.D., Professor of Communication Studies, Whitworth University
Session 9: May 5, 2012	Pastoral Care and Ministry Topics include basic principles of counseling; grief and crisis counseling; home and hospital visitation. Instructor: Sheryl Kinder Pyle, Transitional Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of the Inland Northwest
Session 10: June 2, 2012	Discipleship and Ministry/Sharing Church Projects Topics include basic principles of growing healthy churches; sharing church projects; and insights gained from the certificate program. Instructor: Tim Dolan, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Clergy and Lay Leadership Development Whitworth University

Costs:

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

Payment Plans:

10% discount if paid in full by Aug. 15 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. 7, 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.

Program Registration:

The Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning

The Certificate in Lay Ministry Program is one of many such programs being offered through the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning at Whitworth University. The center is dedicated to providing innovative programs designed to promote Christian scholarship, greater spiritual depth in students, renewal of clergy and laity, and a better understanding of the dynamics between religion and culture in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information about Certificate in Lay Ministry Program courses or the Weyerhaeuser Center, please contact Tim Dolan by calling 509.777.4676, or via e-mail by clicking here.

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