Pastoral Leader Certificate Program
According to the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church, "a Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop" (Canon III.4.3).
Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. However, this curriculum, developed in collaboration with individuals from the dioceses of Kansas and West Missouri, will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a pastoral leader. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.
Each course should be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual academic policies and procedures of BKSM. After you have successfully completed the six courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.
Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. However, this curriculum, developed in collaboration with individuals from the dioceses of Kansas and West Missouri, will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a pastoral leader. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.
Each course should be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual academic policies and procedures of BKSM. After you have successfully completed the six courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.
Required Courses
Christian Spirituality (August 2016)
This course acquaints you with some of the major themes, traditions and practices of Christian spirituality, introduces you to resources so that you may assist others with their spiritual journey, and provides you guidance in developing your own Rule, or way of life. Learn more about the Christian Spirituality course.
Introduction to Scripture (September 2016)
This course provides students with the basic tools for understanding the Bible as the normative theological document of the Christian faith. The course addresses questions about the origins and transmission of scripture, the literary classifications of the books of the Bible, common hermeneutical approaches, and the use of secondary materials such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries. Learn more about the Introduction to Scripture course.
Anglican History (October 2016)
This course provides an introduction to the history of the Church in Britain. Attention is given to: the Celtic contribution to British Christianity; the Synod of Whitby and after; the Medieval period with emphasis on the struggle between church and state; the Reformation on the Continent; the Reformation in England, and the unexpected consequences of the Reformation on the Church and the western world. Learn more about the Anglican History course.
Contemporary Mission (November 2016)
This course will help you develop a practical ecclesiology for changing times. We will explore recent demographic trends in the Church, the shifting place of the Church in the wider culture, and some current thinking in the area of organizational development in order to begin to equip you to help lead the Church in making the adaptive shift from a maintenance legacy to our missional future. This course will inspire you and help you craft a constructive, hopeful vision for the Church's future. Learn more about the Contemporary Mission course.
Foundations of Ethics (December 2016)
Description coming soon!
Polity and Canons (January 2017)
This course provides an overview of the governance of The Episcopal Church, including the Constitution and Canons of the Church, General Convention (and its Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards), the offices of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, the regional Provinces, Dioceses and individual congregations. In addition we will look at the governance of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the place of TEC within that Communion. Learn more about the Polity and Canons course.
Parish Administration (February 2017)
This class provides an overview of parish administration and offers you the basic resources you need to navigate administration in a parish and ministry setting, primarily from the standpoint of a volunteer-based church. Topics include how to identity a team, team process, and how to implement the structures and checks and balances necessary to have a good system in a church. Class sessions will cover reading material and then use a case study for discussion.
Sacramental Theology (March 2017)
This course addresses the basic principles of sacramental theology from a classical Anglican standpoint, the historical development of the Book of Common Prayer as a response to those principles, and various practical considerations which arise in connection with the Daily Office and the administration of the Sacraments, especially Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Learn more about the Sacramental Thology course.
The Tasks of Christian Theology (April 2017)
Theology is, according to the famous definition of St. Anselm of Canterbury, “faith seeking understanding.” All those in spiritual relationship with God will seek to understand the Holy One better, both as a way of deepening one’s own discipleship and as preparation for effectively sharing the good news of the Divine Love with others. Lay and ordained ministers must be prepared to ably teach the faith of the Church. Learn more about the Tasks of Theology course.
Anglican Identity ( May 2017)
This course provides students with a basic introduction to some of the major themes of the Anglican tradition. Beyond history and theology (which are covered in other classes), this course will illustrate the major cultural themes influencing the Anglican Church and how those various factors continue to appear today on every level from our global community to our own parishes. Learn more about the Anglican Identity course.
Christian Spirituality (August 2016)
This course acquaints you with some of the major themes, traditions and practices of Christian spirituality, introduces you to resources so that you may assist others with their spiritual journey, and provides you guidance in developing your own Rule, or way of life. Learn more about the Christian Spirituality course.
Introduction to Scripture (September 2016)
This course provides students with the basic tools for understanding the Bible as the normative theological document of the Christian faith. The course addresses questions about the origins and transmission of scripture, the literary classifications of the books of the Bible, common hermeneutical approaches, and the use of secondary materials such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries. Learn more about the Introduction to Scripture course.
Anglican History (October 2016)
This course provides an introduction to the history of the Church in Britain. Attention is given to: the Celtic contribution to British Christianity; the Synod of Whitby and after; the Medieval period with emphasis on the struggle between church and state; the Reformation on the Continent; the Reformation in England, and the unexpected consequences of the Reformation on the Church and the western world. Learn more about the Anglican History course.
Contemporary Mission (November 2016)
This course will help you develop a practical ecclesiology for changing times. We will explore recent demographic trends in the Church, the shifting place of the Church in the wider culture, and some current thinking in the area of organizational development in order to begin to equip you to help lead the Church in making the adaptive shift from a maintenance legacy to our missional future. This course will inspire you and help you craft a constructive, hopeful vision for the Church's future. Learn more about the Contemporary Mission course.
Foundations of Ethics (December 2016)
Description coming soon!
Polity and Canons (January 2017)
This course provides an overview of the governance of The Episcopal Church, including the Constitution and Canons of the Church, General Convention (and its Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards), the offices of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, the regional Provinces, Dioceses and individual congregations. In addition we will look at the governance of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the place of TEC within that Communion. Learn more about the Polity and Canons course.
Parish Administration (February 2017)
This class provides an overview of parish administration and offers you the basic resources you need to navigate administration in a parish and ministry setting, primarily from the standpoint of a volunteer-based church. Topics include how to identity a team, team process, and how to implement the structures and checks and balances necessary to have a good system in a church. Class sessions will cover reading material and then use a case study for discussion.
Sacramental Theology (March 2017)
This course addresses the basic principles of sacramental theology from a classical Anglican standpoint, the historical development of the Book of Common Prayer as a response to those principles, and various practical considerations which arise in connection with the Daily Office and the administration of the Sacraments, especially Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Learn more about the Sacramental Thology course.
The Tasks of Christian Theology (April 2017)
Theology is, according to the famous definition of St. Anselm of Canterbury, “faith seeking understanding.” All those in spiritual relationship with God will seek to understand the Holy One better, both as a way of deepening one’s own discipleship and as preparation for effectively sharing the good news of the Divine Love with others. Lay and ordained ministers must be prepared to ably teach the faith of the Church. Learn more about the Tasks of Theology course.
Anglican Identity ( May 2017)
This course provides students with a basic introduction to some of the major themes of the Anglican tradition. Beyond history and theology (which are covered in other classes), this course will illustrate the major cultural themes influencing the Anglican Church and how those various factors continue to appear today on every level from our global community to our own parishes. Learn more about the Anglican Identity course.
