GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Masters Ministry Training Classes in Bluefield and Roanoke

What is the Christian Leadership Network? The Christian Leadership Network was established as a ministry of Virginia Baptists in December 2004. The Network’s mission is to provide practical church training and theological study for laypersons 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 Masters classes offered in Southwest Virginia? Part of the vision for the Christian Leadership Network from its beginning was to offer affordable and accessible Masters-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 those classes to persons in our region .

Our educational philosophy? The focus of all classes we offer is on preparation for ministry and Christian impact, whether in the local church or the community. In doing so, we teach 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 Kingdom ministry.

What is the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies? This program is a non-degree, Masters-level program permitting students to take 20 credit hours (ten 2-hour courses) in a variety of ministry areas. Students entering the program must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Special note to Bluefield College students: Any Bluefield College student within 18 hours of graduation and having a 2.5 grade point average may take a Masters class as a Graduate Special Student with Leland.

What courses are included in the Graduate Certificate of Theological Studies? (Each course offers 2 academic credits):
Introduction to Theological Studies
Philosophy for Theology
Global Church History
Christian Ethics (fall 2010; Instructor: Dr. Tracey Stout, Bluefield College)
Old Testament I and Old Testament II
New Testament I and New Testament II
Spiritual Formation
Ministry Leadership elective (Biblical Models of Leadership, Church Administration, Christian Education, Preaching, etc.)

Who would benefit from the classes?

• Those seeking an introduction to graduate theological study, possibly leading to a graduate 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 graduate 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 seeking sufficient challenge to promote their own spiritual growth and/or ministry effectiveness.

 What is the cost for taking these classes? Tuition for each class is $700 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 $234/class, meaning tuition would be $466 for each 2-hour class. 

Students may also audit a Masters course for $350.  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. This fee covers 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 two 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? Courses are offered at Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, and on the Bluefield College campus.

How long to complete the Graduate Certificate? A student completing two Masters classes per semester can obtain a Graduate Certificate in 2 1/2 years.

Who will be class instructors? All instructors for Masters classes are required to have a Ph.D 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. Because of its accreditation, other colleges and seminaries will, normally, accept transfer credits from Leland.
• By completing ten 2-hour classes, students will receive a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, a significant accomplishment that churches will recognize.
• For students wishing to pursue a terminal Master’s degree, credits from the Graduate Certificate can be applied to the Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, or Master of Arts in Christian Leadership programs at The John Leland Center.  Those degrees do have some residency requirements, meaning you would have to take some classes in Arlington.  But, Leland is mindful that students can't pull up family and ministry roots to move to Arlington.  So, they are "creative" in scheduling classes to avoid disruption of family or ministry (weekends, Friday/Saturday, etc.)
• 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 Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies (ten 2-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: $700/class; Audit: $350/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.
• The program and classes are specifically 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 their 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 .