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The School for Ministry was initiated in 2018 as a cooperative ministry between the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin (Disciples of Christ).
The School began with a mission to educate, train, guide, and equip gifted lay persons who are called to Lay Ministry (UCC) or Commissioned Ministry (DOC). Since its founding, the School has grown to provide continuing education opportunities to clergy in both denominations and is continually seeking opportunities to serve the challenges and needs of people of faith like you. |
Why Choose The School for Ministry for Lay and Commissioned Ministry training?
The School for Ministry is a unique program that offers a distinct experience for students seeking certification in Pastoral Ministry.
- Our program is a proven, three-year structured and comprehensive learning experience designed with the requirements of Commissioned Ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Lay Ministry in the United Church of Christ in mind. Students do not need to worry about timing of coursework or whether the coursework will fulfill the expectations of a student's Committee on Ministry.
- The School for Ministry provides peer support through the Cohort experience. A Student is never alone in the educational journey. Feelings of overwhelm and frustration are common reasons that students do not complete other programs of study that they must navigate by themselves. The Cohort provides peers who understand some of the student's journey and can offer encouragement and accountability. This support makes an incredible difference in the road to successful completion of a learning program in Pastoral Ministry.
- The School for Ministry provides expert guidance through the Cohort Leader. Our Cohort Leaders are individuals with extensive experience in ministry and advanced theological training who are specifically called to help the student and cohort peers navigate the journey to pastoral ministry. The Cohort Leader serves as a coach, mentor, cheerleader, and spiritual guide within the context of the students educational journey.
Who Enrolls in the Certificate in Pastoral Leadership PRogram?
Students enrolled in the School for Ministry are lay persons who have discerned a calling to Lay Ministry (UCC) or Commissioned Ministry (DOC).
Our students are of diverse age, gender, racial, geographic, civic, and economic backgrounds.
Our students are called to a variety of ministry settings - pastoral, chaplaincy, education, legal, regional or conference ministry, and more.
Our students are faithful, curious, intelligent, hard-working, and open to new ideas and challenges.
Transfer students are accepted.
Our students are of diverse age, gender, racial, geographic, civic, and economic backgrounds.
Our students are called to a variety of ministry settings - pastoral, chaplaincy, education, legal, regional or conference ministry, and more.
Our students are faithful, curious, intelligent, hard-working, and open to new ideas and challenges.
Transfer students are accepted.
What Do Students Learn and How Long Is the Program?
The School for Ministry is a structured three-year program that covers the Marks of Faithful and Effective Pastoral Ministry in the United Church of Christ and all sixteen Areas of Ministerial Practice of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through academic coursework, contextual theological exploration, practicums, and field experience.
Our courses are provided by the Phillips Theological Seminary's Center for Ministry and Lay Training.
All requirements, excepting the Internship (which is completed in the student's local context with the supervision of an Internship Mentor) are completed through online platforms under the supervision of the School for Ministry.
Completion of the program results in a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry.
Our Three-Year Rotation includes a January Intensive during the second Friday and Saturday of January, a Spring Semester course, a Summer Intensive during the fourth week of June, and a Fall Semester course.
Year 1: Introductory Orientation to Theological Thinking, January Intensive, Overview of the Bible (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, Theology (Fall Semester)
Year 2: January Intensive, New Testament (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, Hebrew Scriptures (Fall semester
Year 3: January Intensive, Christian Ethics (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, History and Polity (Summer or Fall) and Internship (Summer or Fall)
Our courses are provided by the Phillips Theological Seminary's Center for Ministry and Lay Training.
All requirements, excepting the Internship (which is completed in the student's local context with the supervision of an Internship Mentor) are completed through online platforms under the supervision of the School for Ministry.
Completion of the program results in a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry.
Our Three-Year Rotation includes a January Intensive during the second Friday and Saturday of January, a Spring Semester course, a Summer Intensive during the fourth week of June, and a Fall Semester course.
Year 1: Introductory Orientation to Theological Thinking, January Intensive, Overview of the Bible (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, Theology (Fall Semester)
Year 2: January Intensive, New Testament (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, Hebrew Scriptures (Fall semester
Year 3: January Intensive, Christian Ethics (Spring semester), Summer Intensive, History and Polity (Summer or Fall) and Internship (Summer or Fall)
What is Expected of Students?
The School for Ministry Student Covenant covers four areas:
Coursework: Students are expected to complete the course of study and receive a passing grade in all courses. Additionally, completion of the Introductory Orientation and all January and Summer intensives are required.
Practical Experience: Students must complete an Internship under the direction of an ordained minister in the final year of their studies. Their supervising mentor must issue a positive recommendation for the student upon completion of the Internship.
Support: Students must be a collegial and cooperative contributor to their cohorts and participate fully in all structured experiences. Students must be willing to engage in regular weekly or semi-weekly online interaction with the cohort during coursework, especially.
Accountability: Students should be connected to a local congregation. Students must be under the guidance of a Committee on Ministry or similar oversight group, if they are seeking pastoral standing. Students must complete all requirements of the oversight committee, including but not limited to: ethical and boundary training, anti-racism workshops, regular meetings with a mentor, a psychological evaluation, and/ or a criminal background check.
Coursework: Students are expected to complete the course of study and receive a passing grade in all courses. Additionally, completion of the Introductory Orientation and all January and Summer intensives are required.
Practical Experience: Students must complete an Internship under the direction of an ordained minister in the final year of their studies. Their supervising mentor must issue a positive recommendation for the student upon completion of the Internship.
Support: Students must be a collegial and cooperative contributor to their cohorts and participate fully in all structured experiences. Students must be willing to engage in regular weekly or semi-weekly online interaction with the cohort during coursework, especially.
Accountability: Students should be connected to a local congregation. Students must be under the guidance of a Committee on Ministry or similar oversight group, if they are seeking pastoral standing. Students must complete all requirements of the oversight committee, including but not limited to: ethical and boundary training, anti-racism workshops, regular meetings with a mentor, a psychological evaluation, and/ or a criminal background check.
What is The Cost? Is Financial Aid Available?
Cost: $1500 per year (payable in 4 quarterly payments)
Your annual tuition will include:
Your annual tuition will include:
- Class Tuition
- Tuition for January and Summer Intensives
- Tuition for Ethics/ Boundaries Training provided at January or Summer Intensives
- Cohort Leader
- Administrative Costs
How Do I apply?
What are the Deadlines for Application?
We are currently accepting applications for Fall Enrollment for our 2022 Cohort. If you wish to be considered for Fall 2022 enrollment, the application deadline is May 15 to be included in our June Intensive.
If you wish to watch the recordings of the June Intensive and write a reflection paper and join the 2022 Cohort for their first course in August, the deadline is July 1.
Students applying for the 2023 Cohort must have their applications complete by Nov. 1, 2022.
If you wish to watch the recordings of the June Intensive and write a reflection paper and join the 2022 Cohort for their first course in August, the deadline is July 1.
Students applying for the 2023 Cohort must have their applications complete by Nov. 1, 2022.