Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Track
Ideal for current pastors & lay leaders seeking certification
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Requirements:
ACTS Ministry School is recognized by ABCUSA as an accepted model of study for persons desiring to be certified as lay ministers. Graduates of the CLM track 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. |
Diploma in Christian Studies Track
Ideal for lay leaders not seeking certification
Requirements:
The Diploma in Christian Studies is offered to students who do not feel called to certified lay ministry, but who complete 9 of the courses satisfactorily. Christian Studies students will not participate in the supervised ministry/ mentorship program.
If a Diploma-level student wishes to transfer into the Certified Lay Minister Preparation program at a later time, this person must meet the additional enrollment criteria for that program at that time.
- Successful completion of 9 synchronous & asynchronous ACTS courses
- Clergy Ethics & ABC History and Polity are not required
The Diploma in Christian Studies is offered to students who do not feel called to certified lay ministry, but who complete 9 of the courses satisfactorily. Christian Studies students will not participate in the supervised ministry/ mentorship program.
If a Diploma-level student wishes to transfer into the Certified Lay Minister Preparation program at a later time, this person must meet the additional enrollment criteria for that program at that time.
Certificate in Christian Studies Track
Ideal for lay leaders wanting to grow
Requirements:
The certificate track allows you to tailor classes to meet your ministry needs & areas of interest, while ensuring core content is covered. If a certificate-level student later wishes to transfer to a different track, he/she must meet the enrollment criteria for that track at that time.
- Successful completion of 4 asynchronous required ACTS courses:
- Old Testament, New Testament, Theology Survey & Spiritual Formation
- Successful completion of 2 electives, from the following options:
- Biblical Interpretation, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Leadership, Preaching, Mission and Evangelism, Clergy Ethics & ABC History and Polity
The certificate track allows you to tailor classes to meet your ministry needs & areas of interest, while ensuring core content is covered. If a certificate-level student later wishes to transfer to a different track, he/she must meet the enrollment criteria for that track at that time.
Personal Enrichment
Ideal for individuals wanting to listen & learn
ACTS seeks to encourage and foster life-long habits of continuing learning and education. Lay people and professional church leaders, either active or retired, may elect to take courses to enrich their personal lives and ministry. The Personal Enrichment track allows students to take courses he or she is most interested in for their desired spiritual growth. Students pay $25/course to be given access to the course lectures and syllabus. They do not submit work and will not receive a grade.
If a personal enrichment student later wishes to transfer to a different track, he/she must meet the enrollment criteria for that track at that time.
If a personal enrichment student later wishes to transfer to a different track, he/she must meet the enrollment criteria for that track at that time.
