ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE
Leadership Studies
The Leadership Studies certificate equips students to develop Christ-centered leadership, modeled after Jesus—the greatest leader who ever lived, for effective ministry. Through hands-on learning, you’ll gain the skills and insights to lead with integrity, courage, competency, vision, and a servant’s heart, empowering others as Jesus did in ministry.
Leadership Studies Overview
The certificate in Leadership Studies focuses on developing the essential qualities needed for effective ministry leadership. Students will explore key areas such as ethical leadership, team dynamics, small group ministry, and leading like Jesus.
This track offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling students to cultivate leadership skills that inspire and guide their communities, all rooted in a strong biblical foundation. Through hands-on experiences, students will be equipped to lead with vision, integrity, and a commitment to serving others in various ministry settings. Learners will have the opportunity to choose two electives as a part of their Track of Study.
What is the Difference Between a Non-Degree and Degree Seeking Certificates?
The courses, materials, and workload are the same for both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students. Whether you’re pursuing a degree or seeking personal growth, you’ll experience the same high-quality education and rigorous coursework in the Biblical Studies Certificate Track.
Which Track is Right for Me?
Whether you are pursuing a degree or simply seeking personal growth, you have the opportunity to take courses in the Leadership Studies Certificate Track. Choose specific courses that align with your interests or electives for your degree program. You can complete all the requirements for the Leadership Studies Certificate in just one year.
- Non-Degree Seeking Student: Choose the Certificate Track in Leadership Studies if you only desire to complete the one-year Certificate. You will receive academic credit for your work to apply to a future degree.
- Degree-Seeking Student: Choose the Certificate Track in Leadership Studies if you desire to make the Certificate a part of your Master of Ministry Leadership or Master of Divinity programs.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Leadership Studies Certificate
12 Months to Complete – 6 Courses Total – 24 Credit Hours (4 Hours Per Course)
- Location: 100% Online. No travel is required.
- Delivery: Self-paced within an 8-week online course.
- Length: As little as 12 months; 24 credit hours. Students take 6 courses, each 4 credit hours. Students may take longer or shorter to complete the program based on their schedules, family, church, and job responsibilities. Some students take more than one course per 8 weeks and finish sooner.
- Enrolling New Students: Apply and enroll at any time. New Courses start every 8 Weeks. – Apply Today!
Leadership Studies Core - 4 Courses (16 Credit Hours)
In this Touchstone course, learners will examine their call to ministry, write a statement of calling, assess their competencies for ministry, develop learning objectives for their program of study, and enlist a mentor who will support their learning. The course will introduce the learner to the various facets of online learning.
*This course is required for all academic programs and must be taken before a learner can enroll in any other course.
This course examines the principles and practices of leadership in Christian ministry. It will focus on the minister’s role as a servant leader, the qualities of a spiritual leader, and the variety of leadership styles required in ministry. Jesus’s leadership will be used as a leadership role model.
This course is a study of the leadership skills required to build effective ministry teams. The course examines the characteristics of high-performance teams, clear common goals, diversity of roles in teams, effective team processes, how to build the team, the role of communication in teambuilding, and pitfalls to avoid in team development.
This course teaches principles for establishing and maintaining healthy small groups, and explores the 20 questions every small group point person must answer to have an effective small group ministry. Emphasis will be given on how to help build a foundation in small group ministry that aligns church strategy, structure, and systems toward the development of a healthy and growing church.
Electives - Choose 2 Courses (8 Credit Hours)
The learner will focus on several spiritual habits such as solitude, prayer, journaling, fasting, and
spiritual mentoring. Learners will practice these disciplines individually and in a small group of
fellow learners or church members.
Learners will study the purpose of preaching/teaching and will examine the practical steps of
crafting, planning, communicating, and delivering a message. The course includes a
preaching/teaching workshop component that gives students an opportunity to construct,
preach/teach, and evaluate messages preached or taught locally in their ministry context.
This is a study of how to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through personal witness.
The course will explore the biblical motivation for sharing our faith and how to develop
relationships with those who are not yet followers of Jesus. The course will investigate the
values and worldview of the unchurched in order to connect God’s story with their story.
Cross-cultural ministry is a reality in today’s world, whether a neighborhood or an ocean away.
Learn the attitudes of servanthood when bridging to those of another ethnic culture. Understand
the challenges of dealing with the new and different. Develop skills to make the cultural
adjustments necessary to minister within the context of another culture, whether short-term or
long-term.
How do you start a new church? What is a church? What is a healthy church? What is a church
planter? What are the stages of a church plant? The course will investigate the biblical and
theological basis for church plants, as well as the practical aspects of starting a new work. This
course is designed for students who are interested in church planting or sense a call to plant a
church. It is also perfect for those who have recently started a church plant.
Through this course, learners will understand the biblical and ministry foundations of a recovery
ministry and will develop strategic approaches for either the launch or upgrade of a recovery
program. The course will explore the addictive personality and how it is revealed in different
ways, such as through chemical addiction, sexual addiction, relationship addiction, eating
disorders, and religious addiction.
This independent study focuses on contemporary issues in ministry in terms of key
issues, trends, and practices identified by the student. Long-term and short-term
impacts on ministry are also explored.