Where to Begin
New students may jump into our 2-year course cycle at any point.
For all new students, regardless of the program track they choose, the application process is described below.
For all new students, regardless of the program track they choose, the application process is described below.
Application Process
Persons who desire to enroll in ACTS seeking credit toward the Certified Lay Minister program must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be a high school graduate or the equivalent.
- Be a participating member of an American Baptist church within the participating Associations of the American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Members of other ABC regions or Christian denominations may participate. However, non-American Baptist applicants should check with their church leadership about how to fulfill the polity and history and other requirements of their particular denomination.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from the church of membership stating its willingness to:
- Formally endorse the student’s gifts for ministry by a vote of the church (either by the congregation as a whole or by an appropriate committee or group within the church).
- Provide a brief background of the student’s current involvement in the life of the church.
- Be willing to consider the student for certification.
- Provide support and prayer for the student as he/she pursues the program.
- Confirm that requirements 1, 2 and 3 above are true for this student.
- Submit three other brief letters of recommendation (at least one, but no more than one American Baptist minister and one relative can be included) commenting on the applicant’s fitness for ministry.
- Complete the New Student Application in full & submit it to Debra Savage - [email protected]
- Students who meet these requirements and are accepted into the Academy must make note of the fact that the Academy does not certify persons for ministry. Completion of studies does not guarantee a student will be certified or placed in a pastoral position in a church. Please see page entitled “A Word About Certification and Placement” in the New Student Handbook for further details on this subject.
Additional Information
Students applying for the Diploma in Christian Studies program do not have to meet requirements 1, 4 & 5. Students applying for Personal Enrichment should please have a high school diploma or equivalent, in order to benefit most from the courses.
Completed applications & all letters of recommendation should be sent to:
Debra Savage, ACTS Administrator
[email protected]
Completed applications & all letters of recommendation should be sent to:
Debra Savage, ACTS Administrator
[email protected]
