Bishop Kemper School for Ministry
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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.           

Required Courses
  • Christian Spirituality (August 2020)
  • Introduction to Scripture (September 2020)
  • Contemporary Mission (November 2020)
  • Foundation of Ethics (December 2020)
  • Polity and Canons (January 20201)
  • Sacramental Theology   (March 2021)
  • Congregational Leadership (March 2021)
  • Anglican Identity (May 2021)
  • Anglican History (not offered in 2020-21)

Contact us for more information
Address for Tuition Payments/Donations:
The Very Rev. Don Compier, BKSM Dean
410 SE Independence Ave.

Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Physical Address:
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry

701 SW 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry is a collaborative venture of the Episcopal Dioceses of Kansas, West Missouri, Nebraska and Western Kansas.
BKSM also partners with the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
BKSM offers classes and programs to educate people for church leadership in both lay and ordained vocations.