DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY
Undergraduate Ministry Training Classes in SW Virginia  

What is the Christian Leadership Network? The Christian Leadership Network was established as a ministry of Virginia Baptists in December 2004. It’s mission is to provide practical church training and theological study for lay leaders and ministers in Southwest Virginia in order to further the cause of the Kingdom, enhance the ministry of churches, and grow healthy leaders. The Network accomplishes this mission, primarily, by providing undergraduate and Masters ministry training classes. Other initiatives include peer-learning groups, life coaching, and workshops. The Network is headquartered at Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke.

Why are Diploma classes offered in Southwest Virginia? The vision for the Christian Leadership Network from its beginning was to offer affordable and accessible college-level classes in SW Virginia. In 2006, a partnership with The John Leland Center, a Virginia Baptist education partner (more about The Leland Center at http://www.johnlelandcenter.edu ), allowed us to offer these classes .

Our educational philosophy? Our classes focus on preparation for ministry and Christian impact, whether in the local church or the community. Teaching from a solidly Biblical perspective, we believe ministry preparation is best achieved through open exchange of ideas and interaction between students, instructor, and curriculum. Our aim is to produce “reflective theological practitioners”, able to critically appraise, from a Biblical and theologically-sound perspective, any ideas they encounter while remaining effective in ministry.

What is the Diploma in Theology? This program is a non-degree, college-level program permitting students to take 48 credit hours (sixteen 3-hour courses) in a variety of ministry areas. Students entering the program must have a completed high school diploma.

What courses are included in the Diploma in Theology? ( Each course offers 3 academic credits.)  

Who would benefit from the classes?

• Full-time ministers
• Bi-vocational ministers
• Volunteer church leaders
• Persons interested in personal spiritual growth and/or ministry effectiveness
• Those seeking an introduction to theological and ministry study, possibly leading to a Bachelor’s degree
• Those who serve in a ministry capacity requiring a broader background in theology and practical ministry training, but do not wish to pursue a completed degree
• Those who have professional training and experience in other areas, but find themselves with ministry responsibility in a local church, mission, or faith-based non-profit organization
• Those who wish to prepare for a more focused area of ministry
• Those exploring a call to ministry

What is the cost for taking these classes? Tuition for each class is $375 per class, a fee comparable to those of other seminaries.  If a member of a Baptist General Association of Virginia church and taking the class for credit, students are eligible for a tuition scholarship of $125/class, meaning tuition would be $250 for each 3-hour class. 

Students can also audit a Diploma course for $188.  However, auditing students are not eligible for the tuition scholarship.   Additional fees include a one-time admissions fee of $50.  S tudents taking classes for credit are assessed a student activity fee of $35 each semester, covering administrative costs to register a student for classes, maintain grade records, and provide transcripts.  A student auditing a class does not pay the student activity fee.

When are classes offered? Fall semester classes begin in late August and spring semester classes begin in late January. Classes meet once/week for three hours for 15 weeks. One week each semester is set aside for reading days/spring break and classes do not meet that week. “Intensives”, are occasionally offered, depending on preferences and needs of students in the program.

Where are these courses offered? Currently, Diploma courses are offered at six sites:

• Glade Spring (Lebanon Baptist Association building)
• Martinsville (Henry County Baptist Association building)
• Nickelsville (First Baptist Church)
• Roanoke (Bonsack Baptist Church)
• Wise (Baptist Student Center at UVa-Wise)
• Madison Heights (Randolph Memorial Baptist Church)
• Staunton (First Baptist Church)

How long to complete the Diploma in Theology? A student completing two Diploma classes per semester can obtain a Diploma in Theology in four years.

Who will be class instructors? All instructors for Diploma classes are required to have a Masters degree and sufficient educational background in the course area they teach.

Why these classes are just right for you ---

• Classes and instructors are devoted solely to training for more effective ministry in the church or community. The training you receive is thoroughly grounded in Scripture, will enable your own spiritual growth, and equip you for making a Kingdom difference in a constantly changing culture.
• The John Leland Center is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, the premier accrediting body for more than 240 schools of theology and seminaries in the United States and Canada.
• By completing sixteen 3-hour classes, students receive a Diploma in Theology, an accomplishment churches will recognize.
• Because of its accreditation, other colleges and seminaries will, normally, accept transfer credits from Leland, providing options for those who wish to pursue an associate or full Bachelor’s degree.
• Students may take classes for credit or audit a class.
• The program is designed for both professional ministers and lay leaders.
• Students may pursue a full Diploma in Theology (sixteen 3-hour classes) or take individual classes.
• Students can enter the program during any semester, knowing required classes are offered on a rotating schedule.
• In response to the needs of students, both daytime and evening classes are offered.
• Tuition ( Credit: $375/class; Audit: $188/class) and fees are affordable and comparable with other schools.
• For those who are members of Baptist General Association of Virginia churches and taking classes for credit, scholarships covering 1/3 of their tuition are available.
• Classes are small, allowing interaction with other students and personal relationships with instructors.
• Because classes are offered locally, our students connect with other ministers and lay leaders from their area. Students become a “family” and support group for each other as they continue their educational journey.
• Classes are designed for non-traditional students who, because of age, family, or work responsibilities, are unable to pull up roots to continue their education. Our students include those just beginning ministry, those entering ministry as a second career, those serving as bivocational leaders, and those who simply want to make a difference in their church or community.
• Family, church, and career responsibilities are considered in planning for class schedules and course requirements.

What some of our students say:

• I feel I'm benefitting from the Leland classes because they're local. I can personally interact with my professor and fellow students, the classes are small, and the schedule is easy to handle.
• The classes offered through Leland and the SWVA Network have been a real answer to prayer for me. I was called into the ministry later in life and was in need of extra education that would meet my schedule of raising a family and working in the secular field as well as pastoring a church. The Network provided the perfect fit for my educational needs.
• I am very grateful for the pace of the classes as well as the knowledge of the instructors leading them. I have gained a great deal of personal knowledge in each course while also obtaining some very beneficial, applicable helps in ministry. I highly recommend these classes to everyone I talk to and I am looking forward to the remaining courses.
• My experience has been great.  The teachers are warm, caring, and seek to not only educate but to build a relationship with the students as well.  Likewise the material covered is Biblically based and extremely applicable to the modern church and pulpit.  I feel my personal Christian journey and ministry has greatly benefitted from my time at Leland. 

How do I arrange to take classes? To begin the admissions process, simply contact the Christian Leadership Network, 540.777.3014 or toll-free, 866.223.9344. You can also e-mail the Network at gary.chapman@vbmb.org .