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:

• A three-year rotation of classes
• Fifteen core courses  (each equivalent to a two-hour college course) and three short courses, plus a short introductory class, ?Understanding the Bible.?
• Instruction in the following areas:  scripture, preaching, pastoral care, spirituality, mission, evangelism, ethics, practice of ministry, Christian thought, worship, church history, evangelism, Christian education,  church conflict, and contextual ministry.
• Instruction by ministers with graduate degrees and practical parish experience.

At the Rickman Retreat Center 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.

and now... Online

 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 are under the Courses/Events page.   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 Missouri School of Religion.

Courses are usually held at the Rickman 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.