When Tom Bennardo worked toward his master’s degree (Master of Divinity) decades ago, few options were available. He, like many men and women who were called to the ministry, left their current ministry positions or uprooted their families to study at a seminary, taking on debt and delaying their future plans. The challenges associated with pursuing seminary training for ministry is why Tom, the Director of Pastoral Development & Western U.S. Church Multiplication, and the leadership of FEC have designed a new approach for ministry professionals to pursue ministry credentials and a postgraduate degree path for less money while they manage work and family from home.
The FEC Certificate of Theology was launched last fall with a cohort of 15 students in a first-of-its-kind partnership with three leading seminaries: Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN), Denver Seminary (Denver, CO), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL). The three-year certificate program includes nine courses. Students take one course per semester, completing three semesters each year. The sustainable pace along with the affordable cost makes this opportunity desirable for ministry professionals or lay leaders. Each student pays one-third of the cost for tuition while his or her sponsoring church contributes one-third and FEC contributes one-third. Once they finish the required 27 credit hours for the FEC Certificate of Theology, students may choose to pursue a master’s degree from one of the three seminaries, applying all 27 hours toward a degree program. The three partner seminaries will discount tuition for incoming students if they decide to complete a master’s degree.
The FEC certificate program students look much different from their predecessors. Every week, the students watch a pre-recorded lesson or a live classroom lesson and interact online. Since all of the courses are accessed online, nontraditional students will find this program compatible with family and ministry obligations. Students will also have an FEC pastor or leader mentoring them to encourage practical application of their academic learning in their ministry setting. When they finish, students are credentialed in theological and doctrinal foundations for FEC ministry.
The first cohort of students began in the fall of 2017, and the second cohort (Fall 2018) is now open for applications. The online application and course details can be found at the FEC website, under “Resources for Church Leaders,” or click this link: FEC Certificate of Theology
