IRVING, Texas (January 22, 2020) — B. H. Carroll Theological Institute in Irving is now offering graduate certificates for those interested in working in a focused area of ministry, but who do not want to pursue a master’s degree in a traditional seminary program.
The certificate is ideal for laypersons who are working in volunteer church ministry and have already completed a bachelor’s degree, or for ministers who wish to return to sharpen their skills in a particular discipline, such as biblical languages.
“Toward the end of 2019, we recognized a need we could fill in the local church. We believe in an educated laity as well as educated ministers. This certificate program allows those who want to be more effective in ministry to focus on their particular area, or areas, of interest,” said Stan Moore, senior fellow at B. H. Carroll. Moore oversees music and worship.
“We’ve done this in a way where church members and lay ministers can complete a certificate in a short time either individually or in a cohort,” Moore said.
Courses are grouped by the B. H. Carroll learning clusters. Students earn a certificate by completing four two-hour courses (online or in a teaching church) in one of the learning clusters. Those clusters include:
- Scripture and Witness (Biblical Studies, New Testament, Old Testament, Biblical Languages, Preaching, and Interpretation)
- Ministry and Formation (Education, Leadership, Church Administration, and Pastoral Ministry)
- Worship and Mission (Worship, Missions, and Evangelism)
- Faith and Heritage (Christian History, Theology, Philosophy, Ethics and Apologetics)
Should work toward the certificate spark an interest in the student to pursue further study, courses taken toward a certificate can be applied toward a master’s degree at B. H. Carroll.
“Part of our mission is to return theological education to the local church,” said Gene Wilkes, B. H. Carroll’s president. “The future of the church depends as much on church members in our pews as it does the minister in the pulpit. We hope by opening up this avenue of education for laity and lay ministers, we can strengthen the local church.”
For more information, go to: https://www.bhcarroll.edu/academics/graduate-certificates/admissions/