The Certified Lay Minister Program
The Church Leadership Institute is recognized by American Baptists nationally as an accepted model of study for persons desiring to be certified as lay ministers. Graduates of the Certified Lay Minister preparation program can be certified by one's local American Baptist church, after being recommended by their church's association. After certification, you may pastor a church, be an associate, youth, or interim pastor, do supply preaching, and/or generally work in your own church in a more educated and experienced way. Graduates may register with the American Baptist Personnel Services, which can facilitate the possibility of being called to a church ministry position. If called as a pastor, you will have the necessary recognition to perform weddings, and with the affirmation of the local church, may dedicate children, baptize, officiate at the Lord's Supper, and conduct funerals. A certified lay minister usually has the opportunity to do whatever an ordained person can and should be well-equipped to conduct quality ministry in the name of Christ.
Our goal is that, upon completion of the requirements, the Lay Ministry student will have developed skills as an effective preacher using sound methods of Biblical interpretation, demonstrating a grasp of the overall content of the Old and New Testaments. He/she will be able to lead meetings, administer the overall organization of a local American Baptist congregation, and coordinate programs including stewardship, Christian education, evangelism and missions. He/she will demonstrate abilities to organize and lead a worship service and perform the ordinances. He/she will be able to organize his/her understanding of ministry into a theological framework. In all of these areas, the student will perceive how each relates to our Baptist heritage and will show willingness and ability to work within our current American Baptist structure.
The Certificate of Christian Studies Program
The Church Leadership Institute Certificate of Christian Studies Program is designed for those persons who do not feel called to the pastoral ministry but who wish to complete an advanced, broad-based program of study in situations where seminary or other similar programs are not an option. CLI is recognized nationally by American Baptists as an accepted model of study but is not accredited beyond that.
Graduates earning a Certificate of Christian Studies will have completed all of the course work required of the Certified Lay Minister program but are not required to be part of the pastoral mentoring program or meet the ministry experience requirements.
Our goal is that, upon completion of the requirements, the student will have developed and demonstrated a grasp of the overall content of the Bible and sound methods of Biblical interpretation. He/she will have a good understanding of church administration and the implementation of programs such as stewardship, Christian education, evangelism or missions. He/she will be able to organize his/her understanding of ministry into a theological framework. In all of these areas, the student will perceive how each relates to our Baptist heritage and will show willingness and ability to work within his/her local congregation and our current American Baptist structure. A person with a Certificate of Christian Studies should be well-equipped to conduct quality ministry in the name of Christ.
If you do not feel called to a pastoral ministry but do feel called to minister in a significant way within a local congregation or other ministry, completion of the Christian Studies program will give you a firm foundation in Biblical interpretation and theology and a general grasp of the overall content of the Bible, an understanding of Church administration, preaching, pastoral responsibilities, outreach, evangelism and Baptist history and polity. This program will give you a solid foundation for using your spiritual gifts in lay ministry within your church or in other ministries.
Continuing Education
and
Personal Enrichment
CLI seeks to encourage and foster life-long habits of continuing learning and education. This is very important for lay persons as well as professional church leaders. It is becoming increasingly important that Christians be able to express their faith in ways that are easily and clearly understood. Those taking a course for self-enrichment or continuing education will be better prepared to serve within their congregation in a more educated way.
Those who are already pastoring local churches may take courses to earn Continuing Education Units. Upon completion of the course, verification is mailed to the Director of Discipleship and Mission for ABCOPAD. ABCOPAD will then issue a certificate stating that the CEU's have been earned. The normal course fee and administrative fee(s) will be charged.
Please note that the Institute is recognized nationally by the American Baptist Churches as an approved model for study, however, the CLI is not otherwise academically accredited.