lay worship leader certificate

Next Intake: August 2012, Whitehorse, Yukon

Program Description and Application Package: Click here

Offered by Collaborative Agreement between St Stephen’s College and Alberta and Northwest Conference, United Church of Canada

Through the development of ability, the deepening of character, and the awareness and integration of doctrine, this program will equip men and women for lay worship leadership in the United Church of Canada.  The participants must have a sense of call to Christian ministry and exhibit a sense of passion in the faith. They must successfully complete the courses as outlined and demonstrate the integration of that study into daily life and work. They must be in essential agreement with the Polity of the United Church of Canada.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  1. General readiness to function in an integrative theological program in terms of both personal qualities and academic competencies
  2. Commitment to one's lay profession or employment (paid or volunteer) as a ministry; or
  3. Willingness to engage in a program that is grounded in the Christian faith but is also broadly ecumenical and interfaith; readiness to engage deeply in personal reflection; commitment to the practice of the spiritual or liturgical life.

August 2012 intake, Whitehorse, Yukon

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

6 Credits
The Lay Worship Leader Certificate program consists of six weekend events, or modules. Each module is worth one credit, for a total of six credits in the program. While St Stephen’s College is responsible for issue of a Certificate upon successful completion of the six modules of study, it is the Presbytery who is charged with issuing a formal License. The Presbytery Education and Students Committee must be consulted during the process.

MODULE ONE: PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Formation of Self: develop a clearer sense of your call to ministry and of your own gifts, skills and resources for leadership in the church, and become aware of your own leadership style and of different styles and options for leadership. Formation of Community: form relationships and support with other Lay Worship Leaders in the Northern Region of Alberta and Northwest Conference and beyond as possible. Licensed Worship Leaders and Church Structure: develop an understanding of the role of Licensed Worship Leaders in the current polity and structure of the United Church, the conciliar process of decision-making and the responsibilities and roles of church courts and committees at the local, presbytery, conference and national levels and begin to develop skills for taking leadership in situations which require an understanding of church structures and polity.

MODULE TWO: INTRODUCTION TO HEBREW SCRIPTURES

This module is an introduction to methods and approaches to the biblical texts, the historical/cultural contexts of Ancient Israel and a survey of the biblical texts.

MODULE THREE: INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES

This session includes the following topics: the economic, political, and religious context of Jesus of Nazareth; Paul's life and ministry and the economic, political, and religious contexts of the Pauline communities; the formation of the Gospel materials; and the economic, political, and religious contexts of the Gospels.

MODULE FOUR: INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY AND CHURCH HISTORY

Participants will have the opportunity to develop skills, vocabulary and understanding necessary for critical theological reflection; to develop skills and confidence for clarifying and clearly expressing their own faith; and to be familiar with church history and its relation to the formation of The United Church of Canada.

MODULE FIVE: WORSHIP AND THE ART OF PREACHING

Participants will develop the structure and parts of a worship service; expand their capacity to develop, write and deliver sermons; and learn to understand issues, patterns and forms of worship. They will prepare to preach by: entering the texts; brainstorming and focusing; using preaching resources appropriately; developing comfort and clarity in public speaking; and preaching practicums.

MODULE SIX: PASTORAL CARE AND LEAVE TAKING

Participants will learn to: develop tools and skills for effectively addressing conflict; respond appropriately to the pastoral needs one encounters as a worship leader in a local congregation; develop appropriate patterns and disciplines of personal prayer and reflection and self-care in ministry; identify needs for continuing education and formation; and sending forth with hope and joy!