The Certificate of Pastoral Ministry program of the Missouri School of Religion provides a foundational curriculum of education and ministry formation for licensed and commissioned ministers, especially those serving bi-vocationally. The curriculum was developed in consultation with the Commission on Ministry of the Christian Church of Mid-America in the 1980’s and 1990’s -to meet the need for quality undergraduate-level ministry education.
The Certificate program includes:
in Jefferson City, MO.
MSR has offered Certificate classes at the Rickman Retreat Center in Jefferson City, MO since the 1980’s. Students enjoy the relaxed retreat surroundings during Friday evening-Saturday classes and intensive three-day courses. Participants attend class about once a month for a total of 480 hours of instruction over a three-year period.
In 2007, MSR began offering online Certificate classes. In 2010, a full schedule of courses will be offered in five 8-week session and one 4-week session, plus two 4-week sessions of the introductory “Understanding the Bible.”
Schedules for both programs for 2010-12 are included in this brochure. The online schedule is also on a three-year rotation, offset from the Rickman schedule one year.
The entry point for the program is the “Understanding the Bible course”. This is a mandatory prerequisite for new students in the program. The course is usually taught by Rev. Fran Schnarre, Director of Educational Ministry of MSR-CRM.
Courses are usually held at the Rickman Center (see page 10 for directions and information about the center). Typical classes are held once a month for three months from 7:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 p.m. Saturday (with the exception of two courses a year that are held from 9:00 a.m. Thursday to 5:00 Saturday).
There are also Congregational Nurture and Witness seminars that are held for one
weekend from 7:00 p.m. Friday to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in December. The cost of the course is dependent upon length.