Institute for Discipleship Certifications

Certification in Children’s Ministry – 

1. IFDC110 – Teaching Biblical Faith to Children  |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   A consideration of pedagogical methods for the church as it encounters the biblical message of the Old and New Testaments with special emphasis on understanding theological implications for children.
2. IFDC120 – Teaching Theology to Children |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   A survey of issues in theology and their implications for teaching and learning in the church, with special emphasis on understanding theological implications for children.
3. IFDC130 – Nurturing Spiritual Development in the Lives of Children  |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   Historical, theological, and philosophical foundations of Christian education with attention to ways people develop and learn across the age span and how teaching takes place in the church.
4. IFDC140 – Children’s Ministries as Leading Spiritual Education  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   An examination of the role of the educator in supporting the faith development of children in the congregation including pedagogies, administrative and leadership issues, and a theology of childhood.

Certification in Evangelism

1. IFDC310 – Teaching Biblical Faith: Evangelism  |  January 20 – March 1, 2020
   A study of the biblical message of the Old and New Testaments and the relation of the Bible to teaching Evangelism.
2. IFDC320 – Teaching Theology: Evangelism  |  Not currently enrolling
   Theological foundations for the ministry of Evangelism, empowering laity as theologians and exploring Christian doctrines.
3. IFDC330 – Evangelism as Congregational Outreach and Growth  |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   Examination of the role of the specialist in Evangelism in equipping the congregation to tell the Christian story to those outside the church, to seek a response to the Christian message and to assimilate newcomers into the life and ministry of the church. Areas of concern will include communication theory and skills, outreach methods and approaches, and models for the assimilation of new members.
4. IFDC340 – Evangelism as Congregational Care and Nurture  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   Consideration of the ministry of evangelism through the care of members by such means as pastoral care, visitation, support and self-help groups, and the growth and empowerment of laypeople in faith and discipleship.

Certification in Spiritual Formation –

1. IFDC220 – Spiritual Disciplines for Personal and Parish Renewal |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   The main focus of this course is spiritual formation and the ways that spiritual temperament and personality inform engagement of the spiritual disciplines for personal and parish renewal. Participants will define an initial plan for spiritual formation in a congregational setting.
2. IFDC210 – Teaching for Biblical Faith for Spiritual Formation  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   The focus of this class is on ways that we might promote a formational engagement of the Scriptures for personal and parish enrichment through the ways that we teach our Biblical faith. In this course, you’ll learn how to engage the Christian meta-narrative and its key themes and motifs in ways that facilitate spiritual formation in our churches.
3. IFDC230 – The Ministry of Spiritual Direction and Companionship |  June 3 – July 22, 2019
   Affirming the role of authentic community and companionship in discipleship and spiritual formation, this course will work to define “spiritual direction and companionship” – in both its one-on-one form as well as “group” expressions. A variety of resources (including readings from Christian classics) will serve to illuminate key elements of and considerations surrounding such relationships, including: listening skills, psychological awareness, historical background (including formative Wesleyan spirituality), the differences between direction and counseling and coaching, and ethical considerations. Upon completion of the course, participants should have a clear understanding of the nature of this means of spiritual guidance as well as the formal processes involved in becoming a certified spiritual director.
4. IFDC250 – Practicum in Spiritual Formation |  August 26 – November 22, 2019
   Supervised field education in a project related to “spiritual formation” in the setting of a local congregation. Successful completion of this 12-week course will demand that participants demonstrate an understanding of project management and bring that understanding to bear in the definition, defense, execution, and critical evaluation of a short-term program/activity to be conducted in a local church or small group setting. (Prerequisites: IFDC210, 220, 230)

Certification in Christian Care and Counseling –

1. IFDC410 – The Church and Counseling: A Biblical Perspective |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   This course is designed to show that God’s Word is our guide for good living and by reading and studying His Word we can find that God addresses every concern we have in life.  In the church, there is a lifetime support system to love and care for us and the whole community of believers and nonbelievers.
2. IFDC420 – The Theology of Christian Care and Counseling  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   In this course we will look at the biblical themes of sin, suffering, exodus, sacrifice, law, kingdom and exile and how they develop in Scripture over the course of redemptive history. Looking at counseling topics such as interpersonal ministry, conversation, discipleship, personal struggles and crisis will also be studied.
3. IFDC430 – Understanding People: A Ministry to God’s People |  January 20 – February 28, 2020
   To truly understand people, we must combine the rigorous formal study of developmental issues with our own observations and thorough study of Scripture. In this course we will seek to enhance Christian care and counseling skills to work with people in different developmental stages to get the most out of life in each stage.
4. IFDC440 – A Look at Life’s Issues |  March 16 – May 1, 2020  (no class during Holy Week)
   God sent His Son to show us how to deal with the problems of this world. We will consider how to help people with prominent issues – anger, anxiety, depression, guilt and forgiveness, loneliness…developmental issues…interpersonal issues, such as abuse and neglect, conflict and relationships…identity issues – self-esteem, grief…family issues…control issues…

Certification in Rural Ministry –

1. IFDC910 – Engaging the Bible in Rural Ministry  |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   The Bible is, in many ways, a rural text. It relates to people with industrial, agrarian, and small-town leanings. Even Jesus, often present in urban settings, teaches using small town and country metaphors. This course encourages participants to view scripture as a means of fostering new life and ministry in rural settings beyond Sunday school understandings of the scripture. The course includes audio lectures, readings, course postings, a project which allows for application of the material learned in the course.
2. IFDC920 – Practical Theology in Rural Communities  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   This course engages both the terms “rural” and “practical theology” in ways that allow for application and inspiration of the Holy Spirit in rural ministry. As rural life looks very different depending upon context, this course allows for application which provides fewer solid answers, and more a toolbox for engaging in ministry. The course includes audio lectures, readings, course postings, a project which allows for application of the material learned in the course.
3. IFDC930 – Rural Community  |  January 20 – February 28, 2020
   This class provides students opportunities to enhance their affinity for ministering in RURAL settings. It will provide immersion experience in rural settings including an examination of the cultural dynamics of rural life and the church, students will be encouraged to develop approaches that bridge those differences and create positive connections.
4. IFDC940 – Congregations and Communities as a Partners in Rural Ministry  |  March 16 – May 1, 2020  (no class during Holy Week)
   Students will examine best practices used by congregations that have successfully launched and grown ministries in rural settings.

Certification in Christian Education –

1. IFDC1120 – Theology and Christian Education  |  August 26 – October 4, 2019
   This course seeks to engage the importance of theological education in the local church by working through both the various tenants of Christian theology and their influence and impact on teaching and learning in the local church. The course includes audio lectures, readings, course postings, a project which allows for application of the material learned in the course.
2. IFDC1110 – Biblical Faith and Christian Education  |  October 14 – November 22, 2019
   How we understand scripture impacts how we teach the scripture. This course engage an understanding of the Bible as a living document that allows for many interpretations and means of engagement. Alongside this, several different types of teaching and learning are offered as a means of engaging what “Bible Study” and “biblical faith” look like in a multitude of venues. The course includes audio lectures, readings, course postings, a project which allows for application of the material learned in the course.
3. IFD1130 – History/Learning  |  January 20 – February 28, 2020
   Education with attention to the ways people develop and learn across the age span and how teaching takes place in the church
4. IFDC1140 – Administration/Learning  |  March 16 – May 1, 2020  (no class during Holy Week)
   An examination of the role of the educator in ministry through administration and leadership in local church education

More certifications coming soon!

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