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 eight 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 eight courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.
Required Courses
You will find the 2025-26 course schedule here.
You are invited, though not required to attend the retreat for second-year and lay track students.
To get started, fill out the Contact Us form or Register for a Course.
- Christian Spirituality
- Church Finance
- Congregational Leadership
- Diversity, Inclusion & the Church's Mission
- Evangelism
- Environmental Mission
- History of the Episcopal Church
- Polity and Canons
You will find the 2025-26 course schedule here.
You are invited, though not required to attend the retreat for second-year and lay track students.
To get started, fill out the Contact Us form or Register for a Course.