Executive Certificate in Children's Ministry
In collaboration with Northwest Baptist Seminary
The Executive Certificate in Children’s Ministry exists to strengthen and empower those serving in Children's Ministry by providing the research, training, tools, and resources for Children's Pastors to succeed in their ministry of the gospel to children.
We firmly believe that strong skills in theology, teaching, leadership, and children’s spiritual formation make for competent and capable children’s pastors.Click here to apply.
The certificate consists of the following courses...
Transformational Teaching for Children's Ministry - 3 credit hoursOnline Course
Next offering: Fall 2013
Professor: TBA
Description: This course is intended to equip the student to understand, appreciate, and evaluate the role and character of a Christian teacher; promote the spiritual growth of a child through curriculum design, planning, and evaluation; investigate various methods and perspectives of Children’s Ministry educational models; and, most importantly, study the example of Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching.
Children's Ministry in the Church Context - 3 credit hours
Online/Wraparound. Requires travel to the Vancouver area for three days.
Next offering: Spring 2014
Professor: TBA
Description: This course will look at the perception, role, and purpose of children in the context of church from Bible times to present day. It will assess each era in light of that age's understanding of children and the church. A contemporary theology of the church will then form the basis for understanding the current ministry trends and for evaluating current ministry praxis (Ministry trends to be discussed include individuals with special needs, spiritual parenting, family ministry, and narrative teaching). This course is taught in conjunction with the Transform Children’s Ministry Conference and requires travel to the Vancouver, BC area for three days.
Spiritual Formation of a Child - 3 credit hours
Online Course
Next offering: Fall 2012
Professor: Dr. Lucas van Boeschoten
Description: This course has a three-fold purpose: (1) to study the biblical passages relating to children with regard to spiritual development, disciplines, and participation in the family and the faith community; (2) to explore stages of faith development; (3) to investigate cultural trends, such as family systems and media, that affect the spiritual development of children.
Dynamics of Staffing and Leadership in Children's Ministry - 3 credit hours
Online Course
Next offering: Spring 2013
Instructor: Deb Judas
Description: The course seeks to further the student’s process of leadership formation through immersion in Biblical principles of leadership. The course will study the following leadership principles within the framework of Children’s Ministry: servant leadership, self-leadership, team building, developing individuals as leaders, serving on a pastoral team, challenges and stress in leadership, and personal plans for continued leadership growth.
Courses are offered on a two-year cycle and are available at the graduate, undergraduate, and not-for-credit levels.
Learning Coach: Karen Anderson
Tuition Cost: $322.50 per credit hour (graduate); $358 per credit hour (undergraduate); $245 per credit hour (not-for-credit)
The team at Northwest Baptist Seminary wants to be your first choice for ministry leadership development. The Executive Certificate in Children's Ministry was created by children’s pastors for children’s pastors and those interested in the field of children’s spirituality and Children’s Ministry. For more information, click here.