Minister Certificate
Christian Ministry training is one of the most exciting and fulfilling adventures you will ever embark on. People often find themselves serving in various capacities in organized religion or informal ministries based on zeal or availability but have limited training. This in-depth course will provide the necessary foundational knowledge to help you grow personally in your spiritual life but also prepare you for the daunting role of helping others grow in their relationship with God as well.
In Christian Ministry Certification, students are offered an overview of the Bible and the purposes of the Old and New Testament. The student will review the fundamentals of Christianity while gaining a fresh appreciation for the eternal significance of salvation, baptism, and faith. This gives students the solid foundation on which to build their life-long study of God’s word. Students will enjoy moving beyond basics and into an understanding of the power and excitement of Kingdom living. This course will help students be trained, shaped, and equipped to do the work of ministry. Students will have the opportunity to develop a deeper love for God, show more loyalty to the Church, and develop a passion for souls while becoming effective servant leaders.
Program Objectives
- Explain and classify the components of the Bible.
- Define fundamental concepts of Christian beliefs, i.e salvation, redemption, atonement, transformation, baptism.
- State the benefits and responsibilities of Kingdom citizenship.
- Describe and demonstrate spiritual authority.
- Compare and contrast world economics and kingdom economics.
- Exploring Christian Ministry as a vocation and identify career opportunities available in various aspects of ministry upon completion of this program.
- Name and classify the gifts of the Spirit.
- Determine personal spiritual gifts through gift assessment.
- Identify characteristics of the servant leader model.
- Identify scripture commonly used to limit the authority of women.
- Formulate a response to support women’s ministerial authority.
- Lead others to a decision for salvation.
Professor
A longtime resident of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Brenda Vega is originally from Cleveland, Ohio.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology. She also graduated from the Trimm International School of Ministry and has diplomas and certification in Christian Counseling, Life Coaching, and Crisis Intervention.
Brenda worked as an educator for the Department of Defense schools for over a decade. During this time Brenda was called and ordained into Pastoral ministry and left the school system for full-time ministry in 2008. She is the founder and lead instructor of the Jacksonville Global Bible Institute. Brenda is currently Senior Pastor of Victory in the Word Worship Center in North Carolina and has also planted churches in northern Brazil.
Her ministry to the body of Christ has taken her around the United States and to many other countries. She is a sought-after teacher and speaker.
Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation
All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu
Books and Resources
Christian Ministry Manual, 2017
The Bible
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 600 Points
- Tests – Total of 300 Points
- Forums – 150 Points
- Final Writing Project - 150 Points
- Final Exam – 50 Points
Grading Scale
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 1420. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 1420.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
D = (60% - 69%)
F < (Below 60%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
Original Posting ____/10 |
Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate grammar and spelling |
Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors |
Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely |
No Assignment |
|
Total Points ____/10 |
Additional Comments: |
Discussion Question Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent Pass |
Good Pass |
Poor Fail |
No Response Fail |
|
Original Posting PASS/FAIL |
Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Reply to fellow student PASS/FAIL |
Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Total Points PASS/FAIL |
Additional Comments: |
Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism
Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.
I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.
Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.
The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.
Disability Accommodations
Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.
Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu
Supplemental Texts
You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation.
American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf
The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Library
Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University
She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730
You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020
She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.
Support
Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.
Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu
Career Services
Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu
Objectives
- Explain and classify the components of the Bible.
- Define fundamental concepts of Christian beliefs, i.e salvation, redemption, atonement, transformation, baptism.
- State the benefits and responsibilities of Kingdom citizenship.
- Describe and demonstrate spiritual authority.
- Compare and contrast world economics and kingdom economics.
- Exploring Christian Ministry as a vocation and identify career opportunities available in various aspects of ministry upon completion of this program.
- Name and classify the gifts of the Spirit.
- Determine personal spiritual gifts through gift assessment.
- Identify characteristics of the servant leader model.
- Identify scripture commonly used to limit the authority of women.
- Formulate a response to support women’s ministerial authority.
- Lead others to a decision for salvation.
Lessons
- This lesson gives an overview of the structure and purpose of the Bible in human history. It introduces a historical timeline, contemporary figures, geography, and traces Jesus as the central figure throughout.
Read Syllabus
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Power Points
Complete Assignment “Components of the Bible?”
Complete Forum “Christian Beliefs”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson explains the basic tenants upon which the Christian experience is built.
- God’s plan of redemption for mankind through repentance, atonement, and salvation will be explored.
Read Chapter 1 & 2
Power Point
Complete Assignment “The Christian Way”
Complete Forum “Kingdom Citizenship”
Test Chapter 1 & 2
Lesson Evaluation
- The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the purpose for water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This lesson outlines the work of the Holy Spirit and the indicators of his presence.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Power Point
Complete Assignment “Spiritual Authority”
Complete Forum “Baptism exploration?”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson defines what faith is and teaches the absolute necessity of faith in the life of a believer. Examples of faith in action will help students develop and articulate their own level of faith and identify the elements of faith.
Read Chapters 3 & 4
Power Points
Complete Forum “Faith in action
Complete Assignment “What is your faith?”
Test Chapter 3 & 4
Lesson Evaluation
- The purpose of this lesson is to outline the benefits and responsibilities of kingdom living. Christian character and behavior are discussed.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Power Points
Complete Forum “Kingdom Economics”
Complete Assignment “Contrasting character”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson teaches the components of spiritual authority as it relates to positional and relational authority. God’s plan to execute authority through mankind will be discussed as well as the key to demonstration of spiritual authority.
Read Chapter 5 & 6
Complete Forum “Commanding your faith”
Power Points
Complete Assignment “Give me advice”
Test Chapter 5 & 6
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson illustrates how economic exchange systems operate in a Kingdom economy. The Bible gives much instruction concerning money and how to prosper.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Complete Forum “Christian Ministry as a Vocation”
Complete Assignment “Be a citizen”
Power Points
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- The focus of this lesson is to define “the church,” “ministry, ”and the believer’s relationship to the church. The believer’s contribution to the church and the world is ministry. This lesson will explore Christian ministry as a passion and a vocation. Various ministry career possibilities will be studied.
Read Chapters 7 & 8
Power Points
Complete Forum “The Church Leader”
Complete Assignment “Economics of church leadership”
Test Chapters 7 & 8
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will outline the function of the five-fold ministry and its relationship to the church and to individual believers. In this lesson the student will discuss order, protocol, and organization in the church.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Power Points
Complete Forum “Five-fold relationship”
Complete Assignment “Personal Gift Assessment”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- One of the most important lessons is Prayer. Prayer is the engine that powers the Christian life. It is communication with God Himself. This lesson will teach the whys and hows of prayer for both the individual and the corporate church body. Methods of organizing the prayer life, fasting in conjunction with prayer, and hindrances to prayer will be explored.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Power Point
Complete Forum “Prayer”
Complete Assignment “Leading through prayer”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will present an overview of warfare in the spiritual realm and why humanity is even involved in supernatural events. The weapons of warfare will be discussed. Students will learn to recognize spiritual attacks and how to have the victory in the battle. A sneak peek behind the spiritual curtain will reveal the motives of demonic forces and how every believer can be an overcomer.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Complete Forum “Humanity and the supernatural”
Complete Assignment “Gifts of the Spirit”
Complete Assignment “Looking beyond”
Lesson Evaluation
- The Bible says that healing is the children’s bread. (Matthew 15:22) This lesson will present scriptural evidence and illustrations to support the belief that God intends for mankind to be healed, whole and complete. The lesson will describe how the sick are healed and hindrances to healing.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Complete Forum “Women in ministry”
Complete Assignment “Healing power”
Bible Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will define and categorize the various gifts given by the Holy Spirit to believers. A gift assessment will reveal your personal gift mix.
Read Supplemental Reading
Complete Forum “Gifts of the Spirit”
Complete Assignment “Women in minister”
Reading Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson will highlight the concept that to be a great leader you must be a greater servant. Characteristics of a servant leader are examined in this lesson.
Read Harvard Business Review
Complete Forum “Servant Leadership”
Complete assignment “Robert the servant”
Lesson Evaluation
- This lesson examines the unique obstacles and gender bias that women in ministry often face. Women will discover their worth and explore strategies to overcome adversities.
Read Assigned Bible Readings
Complete Assignment “Women in ministry”
Complete Forum “Women as equals”
Complete Quiz
Lesson Evaluation
- The lesson will help believers develop the confidence to share their faith experience in order to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ by learning and practicing effective soul winning techniques.
Complete Forum “Closing thoughts”
Complete Assignment “Final Project”
Submit the Church Planting Plan
Lesson Evaluation