Course Requirements

The Certificate in Lay Ministry program entails ten core courses, two courses in specialization areas, as well as participation in a Discernment of Call retreat. The courses intend to be offered in a three year cycle, so students may enter the certificate program at any time and will have an opportunity to complete courses on their own schedule and timeline. All courses require a minimum of twelve contact hours of instruction.

The core courses include New Testament Survey, Old Testament Survey, Lutheran Confessions, Lutheran Theology, Lutheran Church History,Homiletics, Worship, and three courses in Leadership Expectations and Identity (Boundaries, Ethics), (Leadership Styles and Congregational Peace-building), (Polity and Governance). (course briefs are listed below)

Two elective courses in one area of specialization are required. These can be in any of the following areas and are not exclusive of specializations. Students should get prior approval from the synod to engage in an alternate specialization. Those areas already approved are: teaching, visitation, preaching, youth ministry, music ministry, geriatrics, community development, missiology, spirituality, pastoral care.

In addition to the minimum courses for the certificate program a candidate may take further areas of specialization that include at least two courses in that particular specialization.

If a student would like to take courses outside of the designated synod courses these may be approved in advance for the certificate program. These courses may be residency, weekend, semester, etc. and be provided by other institutions. 

If a student has completed prior courses that meet the requirements of the certificate program, there is a challenge process available. Students should provide the synod with a syllabi of the course and assignments/evaluation completed. Students should not presume that a challenge may be successful.

There are required evaluative tools for each course in the program and these are set at the discretion of the instructor. Students in the Congregational Needs or Synodically Authorized track must complete all assignments for credit in the certificate program. Those in the Personal track may choose to complete any of the assignments at their own discretion.

A Continuing education component is required for those students registered in the Synodically Authorized track and may be required by those in the Congregational Needs track. When a student is registering in the Congregational Needs track, this requirement may be included in the covenant with the congregation. The Continuing Education component for the Synodically Authorized student will be set in consultation between the congregational leadership, the Bishop and the student. In the case of the Congregational Needs student a consultation between the student and the congregational leadership should set this requirement.

Core Courses Overview:
Bible Survey- New Testament: The goals of this course are twofold: the class together will seek to understand the content and development of Christian faith and life in the first century Church as reflected in the canonical books of the NT; students will also seek to understand and use a variety of scholarly tools for biblical interpretation (including doing exegesis on a NT pericope). Attention will also be given to acquire sufficient background knowledge of NT themes and theology in order to evaluate contemporary commentaries and gain confidence in preparing biblical devotions. Throughout the course, students will reflect how the Gospel, as reflected in the NT, has shaped our Christian lives. Sources have included: Reading the New Testament by Pheme Perkins.
Bible Survey – Old Testament: The twin aims of this course are: to give the students an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures, with special attention to covenant theology; to relate Old Testament theology and history to the present practical theology of the student by linking the five course units to the five steps in the life of the local parish: beginning, growth and expansion, success, decline, failure and renewal. Sources have included: Reading the Old Testament by Lawrence Boadt, and Understanding the Old Testament by B. Anderson.

Lutheran Theology: This course has several main objectives: to introduce students to Systematic Theology, present a vision of the coherence of the doctrines to each other, help identify foundational doctrines, give an understanding of orthodoxy and heresy, give an understanding of communical and historic nature of doctrines and their spiritual foundations, and to help students understand and express why disciplined thought and faithful confession is crucial for church leaders. The class will specifically focus on the biblical writings of John and Paul. Sources have included: The Bible (particularly the Gospel of John and the letters of Paul). Braaten and Jensen’s Christian Dogmatics, various writings of classical and contemporary theologians.

Lutheran Confessions: The history and content of the Book of Concord are at the heart of this course. Special emphasis is placed on the Augsburg Confession and Apology, the Catechisms, and Smalcald Articles, as well as the New Testament books of Romans, Ephesians, and Galatians. Topics include: God and Sin, Justification by Grace Alone, Church and Ministry, Sacraments, and others. Parish constitutions will be studied to show the relation of confessional documents to modern Lutheranism. Sources have included: Scripture, The Book of Concord, historical commentaries and Luther biographies. Assignments include consideration of contemporary issues as influenced by these 16th century documents.

Lutheran Church History: This course will provide a brief overview of early church history, the Reformation and development of the Lutheran Church as a denomination, as well as key historical periods which have defined the Lutheran Church as it developed in North America.

Homiletics: This course will provide students with the practical skills needed for sermon preparation from a biblical text. Particular attention will be given to the lectionary as a guide to this preparation. Consideration will also be given to sermon styles, preaching delivery styles and the expectation and context of those hearing the sermon. Students will be given opportunity for preaching at a later date and will involve evaluation from an instructor or designated mentor or other such evaluator.

Worship: This course surveys major aspects of liturgical worship with special emphasis on the cultural settings in which worship occurs. The course provides a practical understanding of the words, actions, and items involved in the services by giving a close examination of what is in our worship resources. It also ties the content of the services to their Biblical roots. Sources will include ELW, and Occasional Services resources as well as the Manual on the Liturgy. Assignments may include preparing public prayer petitions, attending a liturgy of another faith tradition, writing an overview of one of the Sacraments as publicly administered, or reflecting on the rite of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, occasional services, or another part of the regular service to its biblical and traditional roots.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS AND IDENTITY (3 COURSES):

Boundaries and Ethics: This practical theology course will explore the meaning of Christian discipleship in daily life. The course will help the student gain an understanding of the calling and vocation in the life of the Christian in order to create a balance between ecclesiastical service, family life, and secular work. Sources have included: Scripture, The Book of Concord, Luther’s The Freedom of the Christian, Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, portions of Karl Barth’s Domatics Vol IV. Assignments may include keeping a daily journal to record the student’s spiritual and emotional development. Students will become familiar with policy documents of the ELCIC in areas of Sexual Harassment and Abuse and Protection of the Vulnerable.  They will develop self-care strategies to maintain healthy boundaries. Students will reflect on the implications of the Ten Commandments for contemporary life. The course will provide opportunity for disciplined reflection on vexing ethical issues such as sexual ethics, sanctity of life, political witness, and economic justice.  Sources have included: Basic Christian Ethics by Paul Ramsay, Faith and Faithfulness by Gilbert Meilaender.

Leadership Style and Congregational Peace-building: The students will investigate their own leadership styles and the styles of others with an effort to understand how we work with others and work with our own gifts and abilities. Opportunity will be given to develop strategies for mutual and cooperative ministry. Students will also gain an understanding of how conflict affects ministry and how strategies for assessing and understanding conflict can be utilized in ministry for positive outcome.

Polity and Governance: This course will provide an understanding of the basic governance documents of the ELCIC, their particular synod and the congregation.  This will include constitutions, governance manuals that are in place and the model constitution for the congregation.  Students will understand what constitutes a well-run meeting which will be of help with various meetings in the congregation.  They will understand a basic strategic planning strategy and the difference and usage of strategic directions, strategic goals and tactical plans.