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Certificate in Religious Leadership
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What is the Certificate in Religious Leadership?
Ministry in the 21 st century will continue to pose challenge for which typical modes of ministry are not well equipped. The need for leadership that is both faithful and genuine is increasing. This Certificate in Religious Leadership offered through North Georgia College and State University's Center for Continuing Education (in cooperation with The Institute for Dynamic Leadership) provides leading-edge resources that can be utilized by clergy and lay ministers alike, in all kinds of ministry settings.
This program is presented online, offering you both a safe and convenient environment in a supportive, virtual learning community. Program faculty have years of experience consulting and teaching in this field, in addition to three decades of service as ordained pastors.
This Certificate in Religious Leadership is open to participants from all church traditions throughout the world.
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Program of Study
1. Religious Leadership
Leadership is often misunderstood because it is oversimplified. This course introduces participants to three models that put leadership into a perspective that works. Participants will be able to explain all the main concepts and begin to show how they apply to religious settings.
Online Course Dates: January 20 - March 3, 2010
2. Making Room At The Table
Increase your effectiveness and make meetings more productive, all while strengthening the spiritual life of your ministry setting. Discover your leadership style and identify what you "give away" when you are upset. Learn how to create a safe space for all voices at the table as you draw out the strengths of others. Practice redirecting tense or confusing conversations in order to seek positive outcomes.
Online Course Dates: March 17 - April 28, 2010
3. Discerning Vision for Dynamic Religious Communities
Many long established churches and other religious organizations are discovering that their membership and vitality are waning. Vision takes time to discern, but it is the missing link to move beyond survival to fresh strength and creativity. You will learn to use a well-designed process that draws the best out of the church's heritage to face its context with new courage and faithfulness.
Online Course Dates: May 12 - June 23, 2010
4. New Tools for Times of Transition
Learn to apply new resources that "normalize" your ministry setting's circumstances both theologically and descriptively, even as it is led through an intentional change process. Discover both internal and external sources of energy as you continue to work together in your Simulated Ministry Teams. "Appreciative Inquiry" will be practiced as a spiritual discipline.
Online Course Dates: August 11 - September 22, 2010
5. Engaging the Collective Spirit
This course offers a creative and diverse set of resources to energize and refresh your ministry setting's very spirit. Learn to use resources such as contemplative dialogue, organizational awareness/mindfulness, appreciative inquiry, ladder of inference, grace margins, inclusion, and polarity management.
Online Course Dates: October 6 - November 17, 2010
6. Reframing Conflict for Vital Ministry
Conflict is often misunderstood---"what you see is not what you get." Without awareness of cultural energy, pastors and lay leaders will continue to run into the same sources of tension in different forms. This course is the program's capstone, in which you will reframe conflict as an opportunity to explore your ministry setting's deeper energy.
Online Course Dates: January 12 - Feb 23, 2011
You will demonstrate practical uses for applying resources learned in this program for turning conflict into opportunities for strengthening congregational life and witness.
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Faculty
The Reverend Drs. Beverly and George B. Thompson, Jr.
Co-Founders of The Institute for Dynamic Leadership (www.dynamiclead.org)
Drs. Thompson teach Leadership and Ministry Practice at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, where Dr. George Thompson is Chair of the Department. They are both ordained ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and have served as pastors as well as consultants and coaches. Drs. Thompson are both published authors whose books are written for churches and those who seek to lead them. See more about them at their website .
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How do I earn the certificate?
To earn this certificate, participants must successfully complete the following six prescribed, six-week online courses within 18 months. Each course provides a self-contained, facilitated, experiential learning environment that shares theories and principles using interactive and collaborative experiences. You will communicate through e-mail, discussion areas and live online chats. You will need to commit four to six hours per week during each six-week session.
This online program will provide you: • Real-world examples of ministry and leadership opportunities
• Weekly readings and assignments
• Live chats in a safe environment
• Individual and simulated Ministry Team coaching
• Full support of your instructor
• Convenient, home-based learning, on your schedule
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Who will benefit?
The Certificate in Religious Leadership is designed for pastors, religious educators, denominational officials, lay ministers--any religious professional whose ministry involves them closely with organizations, groups and communities.
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What can I expect to learn?
At the completion of this certificate program, participants will have learned how to make sense of the deeper dimensions of their ministry setting, so that they can become strategic leaders, determining how to contribute constructively to their ministry's purpose and goals. The program's resources lead to new insights about culture, power, style preference, vision, conflict and transition.
A professional certificate program indicates that the student has completed a course or a series of courses that provide extensive preparation in the designated field. During this course of study you will earn 18 CEUs.
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What are the technical requirements?
To effectively participate in the Certificate in Religious Leadership, you need to have:
• Mastery of basic computer skills and software applications. Online skills including basic proficiency using web browsers, website navigation, search engines and e-mail communication
• Document management skills including file management, attaching files, uploading and downloading files and understanding of various file formats
• Access to a computer with Internet connection and e-mail
• Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Web Browser: A current recommended browser for WebCT Vista
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Course Dates
Class 1 - Religious Leadership
January 20 - March 3, 2010
Class 2 - Making Room At The Table
March 17 - April 28, 2010
Class 3 - Discerning Vision for Dynamic Religious Communities
May 12 - June 23, 2010
Class 4 - New Tools for Times of Transition
August 11 - September 22, 2010
Class 5 - Engaging the Collective Spirit
October 6 - November 17, 2010
Class 6 - Reframing Conflict for Vital Ministry
January 12 - February 23, 2011
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Course Fees
Each 6-week class is $500.
If you register for the entire program, receive a discounted fee of $2,550.
*Additional out-of-pocket expenses will include the purchase of recommended books. *Some scholarships are available on an as-needed basis.
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How do I register?
Complete the attached application for the full program.
Space is limited so you are advised to apply as soon as possible.
Click Here for Application
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Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel, please notify us in writing via mail or fax at least three working days before the course begins. You will receive a refund of your registration fee minus a $20 processing fee. No refunds will be given on cancellations made within three working days of the course starting date or after the course begins. If North Georgia College & State University Continuing Education cancels a course for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
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Contact North Georgia Continuing Education
for more information and to register for the Certificate Program
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Call North Georgia Continuing Education at 706-864-1918 to register
or to get more information.
Phone: 706-864-1918
Fax: 706-864-1686
Email: conted@ngcsu.edu
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