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Gain practical skills for maximum impact
This certificate gives you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge of practical service and leadership. You can focus on a specific ministry area, including children’s, youth, worship, spiritual formation, preaching and general church leadership. It’s perfect if you want to deepen your understanding of ministerial leadership without committing to a master’s program.
Online Option
Interested in completing your coursework online? With our online Certificate in Practical Ministry you can get the same flexible program all from the comfort of your home.a>, you can get the same flexible degree program all from the comfort of your home.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
As congregations shrink in size across the United States, a growing number of congregations are employing fewer paid ministers, with many hiring from within their own congregations. Understanding this rising trend, the Certificate in Practical Ministry is designed to meet the specific needs of new ministers who require the theological, historical and practical training necessary to fulfill their roles and duties. Upon completing the certificate, ministers will not only have the basic skills necessary to accomplish their responsibilities, but also to continue their education into a master’s degree should they choose to.
Program Structure
All the details on your degree
ACU’s Graduate School of Theology is passionate about developing and equipping the next generation of ministers and biblical scholars, no matter where they choose to serve. As part of this vision, this certificate lays the foundation for new ministers to get an introduction to theological education and hyper-focused ministerial training courses without pursuing a master’s degree. Over the course of a year, you can study one specific area of ministry and become an active, well-versed minister inside and outside your church.
Stackable Certificate:
Interested in launching yourself into graduate school? This certificate’s credit hours are stackable toward ACU’s Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
degree. It’s a great option if you plan on pursuing your master’s degree at a later time or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of ministry and theology from an academic perspective. Simply complete the certificate program, and ACU will seamlessly apply your 18 credit hours toward your master’s.
Required Hours
18 hours
24 month time frame
Department
Coursework
Foundations of the Theology of Ministry
Reading and Engaging Contemporary Culture
Teaching Scripture to the Contemporary Church
Upcoming Start Dates
January 13, 2025
May 5, 2025
Common Job Titles
Lead Pastor
Associate Pastor
Church Administrator
Concentrations
Youth & Family Ministry
Students will focus on formative Christian teachings and engagement techniques for ministries involving youths, teens and families.
Children’s Ministry
Students will learn practical teaching strategies and basic theology to better service children and their families.
Worship Ministry
Students will study the historical contexts of faith and general worship to become better versed in their ministry field.
Preaching Ministry
Students will dive into homiletics, scripture and preaching-related courses to prepare them for sermons and general teaching for their congregations.
Spiritual Formation
Students will learn various aspects of the faith, including the fundamentals of spiritual nature and theological perspectives to support current and new believers.
Church Leadership
Students will undergo a series of courses designed to assist church leaders on how to address internal conflict and support churches and their missions from an administrative position.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Chris Flanders, Certificate in Practical Ministry
Dr. Chris Flanders is a professor and program director for the Certificate in Practical Ministry program. He received a BA in Biblical Text, an MS in Missions, and an MDIV at ACU and completed his Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Chris grew up in the midwest, eventually settling down in northern Minnesota. He is married to Cara (Duvall) who works as a supervisor in ACU’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program and a therapist in the ACU Counseling Center. Their two children, Autumn and Ethan (both born while they were serving in Thailand), are a huge part of their lives.
Spotlight
Why Study Theology?
ACU’s mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world, which includes forming students’ spiritual and intellectual development in a distinctively and unapologetically Christian environment. So, with an expanded view of what theology can offer, let’s get more specific. Why should you get a theology degree?
Four Benefits of Getting a Theology Degree at ACU
When it comes to theology master’s programs, what makes ACU’s stand out? Hear directly from Dr. Myles Werntz, Director of ACU’s Baptist Studies Center, in a recent blog post.
U.S. News Highlights ACU’s Nationally Ranked Student Experience for Fifth Year in a Row
For the fifth consecutive year, the student experience at Abilene Christian University, both in and out of the classroom, was ranked as one of the nation’s best in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings released today – in the categories of Study Abroad, Learning Communities, Service Learning, First-Year Experience and Senior Capstone.
Scholarship For New Students
We are offering an initial 75% scholarship to all new certificate students in the Spring 2025 semester, reducing the tuition price from $499 per credit hour to $125 per credit hour. Apply today and speak with one of our admissions advisors for more information.
| Regular Tuition Rate | Regular Total Cost | 75% Scholarship Tuition Rate | 75% Scholarship Total Cost |
| $499 per credit hour | $8,982 | $125 per credit hour | $2,250 |
Students who complete the Certificate in Practical Ministry will be qualified to fill various ministerial leadership roles for Christian congregations, including youth and family minister, children’s minister, spiritual formation minister, worship minister and preaching minister. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Texas Workforce Commission, reports have indicated a slight growth in employment opportunities among clergy from 2022-2032. As a result of this slower job growth, congregations are looking from within their own memberships to fill vacant ministerial positions. Often these new lay ministers lack formal theological education, and this certificate program will give them the theological and ministerial education they need to serve their congregations well.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- Complete the program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
- Submit an official transcript of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Submit a reflective essay (purpose statement) 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced.
- Complete an academic writing assessment.
The Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, an organization of more than 250 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in theological disciplines.