The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, realizing our Congregational tradition of a literate laity and the need for lay ministers to serve the churches in our Association, has developed a program to provide basic training for persons who have an opportunity to serve churches as lay ministers.

The Lay Ministry Training Program addresses two concerns. One concern is to provide for the local church by developing the talents and abilities of the individual doing lay ministry.

The other concern is for the spiritual development of the person who would serve as a lay minister. By emphasizing both of these concerns, the program seeks to enable effective lay ministry in National Association Churches Course of Study

The Lay Ministry Training Program has been developed to be used in a variety of settings to enhance the knowledge and skills of the individual in the following areas:

    I .     Biblical Knowledge and Theology
    II.     Congregational History and Polity
    III.    Public Worship
    IV.     Pastoral Care and Practice
    V.      Organization of a Congregation for Nurture and Mission
    VI.     Educational Ministries in the Church
    VII.    Pastoral Ethics and Conduct

Methodology
In each section of the course, the requirements are described in two ways. First there is a body of knowledge which is obtained through independent study. Second, there are areas of practical application of that acquired knowledge. Within each area, the student is required to obtain both a basic overview of the topic, and some in-depth experience responding to issues for ministry raised by the topic. Learning in these two areas shall take place under the guidance and supervision of a qualified mentor.

Given the diversity of individual circumstances and of learning and teaching styles, the program encourages the student and mentor to explore a variety of approaches in engaging the material.

The student is encouraged to work through at least two sections of the program in a year, in order to complete the course in approximately three years. The program seeks to equip participants with the necessary tools and motivation to continue the lifelong process of learning to minister.

The student will be expected to draw on a variety of resources in completing the course. Some of the required readings are provided as part of the material. In addition, each section of the course includes a bibliography which is not intended to be a reading list, but rather a source of information relevant for the study of the topic. The bibliography is not exhaustive, and it is expected that alternate resources will be utilized in consultation with the mentor.

In addition to local resource obtain some materials from the Congregational Library in Boston, and from the National Office in Oak Creek. Students may also choose to purchase copies of some materials, to begin to develop a personal theological library. In completing some of the sections, students will be asked to consult with appropriate individuals and agencies in their areas.

The Mentor
Throughout their program, students will collaborate with a mentor who is an experienced minister with a seminary degree, or equivalent training. This mentor will be chosen by the student in consultation with the National Association Associate Executive Secretary for Ministerial Development and Services.

The mentor is responsible for providing support and guidance to the student throughout the program. This will involve spending adequate time with the student discussing what is to be learned, how the learning is to occur, and  reflecting on and responding to what has been learned.

The mentor will be expected to inform the National Office as the student completes each section of the course, and may be asked to make other progress reports as necessary.

Certificate of Completion
On satisfactory completion of the Lay Ministry Training Program, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion from the local church supervising the program.

This Certificate of Completion should not be construed as a ministerial license or an endorsement of the individual's qualifications for ministry.

Program/Tuition Fees

$50.00 nonrefundable fee (paid with application)
$50.00 per section tuition fee (paid at the beginning of each new section)

Total cost of the program complete in three years will be $400. Limited financial aid may be available in extreme circumstances.

The Lay Ministry Training Program is administered by the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies.  Materials for the program are available online.  A user name and password will be issued upon approval of a candidate's application.

For application form or more information contact: Tressa Stein in Ministerial Development and Services.