“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

Every follower of Jesus Christ is called to minister in some way to those around them. That ministry may be a conversation about Jesus over a cup of coffee. It may be sitting with someone who is going through some crisis and praying for them. It may be responding to a disaster site as part of a disaster relief team, helping to rebuild homes and sharing the Gospel with those who have suffered profound loss. The regular and ordinary ministry of believers to one another and to the community takes on so many different forms. It is the blessing and responsibility of every believer to be available and ready for our Lord to use us as His witnesses in the world.

God also calls some to the particular set-apart ministry of pastoring a congregation. This is a high and very responsible calling. It requires a more intense level preparation by those who have been so called. The responsibilities of pastoral ministry must not be assumed lightly.

This training program has been developed as a means of preparing you to pursue your calling to the set-apart ministry and to equip you with basic biblical knowledge and ministry skills necessary to understand the Word of God and apply it to everyday pastoral ministry.

Those sensing a call to the set-apart ministry should be in contact with their congregational leadership and their regional leadership, discussing their sense of call. Enrollment in the Ministerial Training Program is the first step in preparing for the set-apart ministry. After completing the first four modules in the program you may apply for Licensure through your region. After completing the entire Ministerial Training Program, you may apply for Ordination through your region.

On this page you will find a list of the modules which are included in the training program. You will also find a number of frequently asked questions. Please read through the material carefully and prayerfully. At the end of the page you will be able to download the Student Application Form and the several reference forms you will need to complete your application. Additional instructions are available with those downloads.

May the Lord direct your steps and confirm His calling on your life.

Ministerial Training Committee

Program Requirements

Modules Required Credit Hours
The Bible & Theology 1 and 2 (two modules) 2
Sin and Salvation 1
Bible Study and Interpretation 1
Old Testament 1 and 2 (two modules) 2
New Testament 1 and 2 (two modules) 2
Church History 1
Brethren History, Life & Thought 1
Prayer and Spiritual Growth 0.5
Preaching and Teaching 1
Pastoral Ministry 1
Christian Education 0.5
The Church and its Administration 1
Worship 0.5
Evangelism and Outreach 1
The Return of Jesus Christ 0.5
Total number of credits 16

Program Requirements

Modules Required
Credit
Hours
The Bible &
Theology
1 and 2 (two
modules)		 2
Sin and Salvation 1
Bible Study and
Interpretation		 1
Old Testament
1 and 2 (two
modules)		 2
New Testament
1 and 2 (two
modules)		 2
Church History 1
Brethren History,
Life & Thought		 1
Prayer and
Spiritual Growth		 0.5
Preaching
and Teaching		 1
Pastoral Ministry 1
Christian Education 0.5
The Church and
its Administration		 1
Worship 0.5
Evangelism and
Outreach		 1
The Return of
Jesus Christ		 0.5
Total number
of credits		 16

Explanation of Credits

One (1) credit represents sixteen hours of class instruction/participation plus an average of forty-eight hours of work (reading assignments, research assignments, hands-on experiences, etc.) outside of the class instructional time. Classes which are 0.5 credits will have eight hours of class instruction/participation plus an average of twenty-four hours of work outside of the class instructional time.

Instructions for Application

1. Download Forms

A. Download Student Application Form

B. Download Pastoral Reference Form

C. Download Congregational Reference Form

D. Download Personal Reference Form (three required)

2. Distribute Forms

Distribute forms and links for uploading to all the required references. Please note: your reference providers can upload their forms directly to the program website only after you have paid the application fee and submitted your Student Application Form.

3. Gather Information

Gather information to complete your Student Application Form.

4. Making Application to the Ministerial Training Program

A. Pay $100.00 application fee

B. Upload Student Application Form – by Student

C. Upload Pastoral Reference Form – by pastor

D. Upload Congregational Reference Form – by congregational leadership

E. Upload Personal Reference Form 1 – by the individual person providing the reference

F. Upload Personal Reference Form 2 – by the individual person providing the reference

G. Upload Personal Reference Form 3 – by the individual person providing the reference

5. Application Evaluation

Once all forms are received, the Ministerial Training Committee with evaluate the application and notify the applicant of their status in the program. A Student ID will be assigned and the student will be able to register for the first module.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Ministerial Training Program has been developed specifically to prepare individuals for pastoral, missionary, and other ministry oriented work within the Covenant Brethren Denomination. Instructors in the program have either a Master of Divinity or higher degree from accredited seminaries. They are also pastors of local congregations and have many years of practical experience serving in the set-apart ministry in Brethren congregations. Although this program is not accredited by any outside agency, it is nevertheless a rigorous and well-rounded program designed to provide the necessary educational foundation for those entering the set-apart ministry within the Covenant Brethren denomination. Modules will be continually evaluated and updated to meet the needs of both students and the congregations they will eventually serve. Continuing education is a central part of maintaining one’s ordination even after completion of this training program.

At the bottom of this web page, you will find the Student Application form and the Pastoral, Personal, and Congregational Reference forms. Download all those forms and follow the instructions. When you are ready to submit your application, you will pay a $100.00 non-refundable application fee online and then upload your forms to this website. Individuals submitting reference forms will be able to upload them to this website directly.

Your application will be reviewed and your references checked. If you are approved as a student, you will be given a Student ID which will enable you to log in to the Student Access Portal. There you can choose and make payment for the module you wish to take which automatically registers you for that module.

There is a $100.00 non-refundable application fee.

Registration for each module is $75.00. This registration includes your module syllabus which you can then download in preparation for the start of the module. There are eighteen modules in the program for a total cost, including the initial application fee, of $1,450.00.

Textbooks and any other required materials for individual modules are not included in the registration fees and will be an additional expense to the student.

The program is designed with flexibility and with the needs of part-time students in mind. Therefore, a fixed length of time for completion is a bit difficult to give. The entire program consists of 18 modules. One-credit modules are eight weeks in length. Half-credit modules are four weeks in length. Modules are offered periodically as mentors are available and as students are ready to take the module. The goal of the Ministerial Training Committee is that students will be able to complete the entire program in three years. If a longer period of time is required there is some flexibility available.

Each module will consist of eight or four classes. Each class will consist of a video lecture, class discussion on the lecture material, quizzes and/or essays, and, for the Christian Education and Worship modules there will be some hands on experiences.

Logistics and student enrollment will determine how a module is taught. When possible, it is most desirable that students within a region should meet together with a mentor for class discussion. Where that in-person instruction is not possible, students will be organized in groups for remote instruction via Zoom or similar meeting platform.

Quizzes, essays, and other class work will be submitted online.

Those admitted into the Ministerial Training Program are known as Ministers-in-Training. After the successful completion of modules one through four the student may be interviewed through their Region for licensure after completing the Licensure Application and submitting the necessary reference forms. Ordination interviews may be scheduled after students complete the entire Ministerial Training Program, the Ordination Application, and submit the required reference forms.

Applicants with some prior training must complete the Student Application Form and submit it along with the application fee of $100.00. The Congregational Reference, Pastoral Reference, and Personal Reference forms must be completed by the appropriate individuals and submitted directly to the Ministerial Training Commission. You must provide transcripts of your previous studies.  The Ministerial Training Committee will review your previous education and determine what modules, if any, may be waived. A member of the Ministerial Training Committee will also arrange for an interview with the applicant. You will then be notified of the Ministerial Training Commission’s decision and your status as a student.

Applicants must complete the Student Application Form and submit it along with the application fee of $100.00. The Congregational Reference, Pastoral Reference, and Personal Reference forms must be completed by the appropriate individuals and submitted directly to the Ministerial Training Commission. You must also provide transcripts of your previous studies. The Ministerial Training Committee will review your previous education. A member of the Ministerial Training Committee will also arrange for an interview with the applicant.

It is likely that you will be required to take the following modules since they cover their topics from a distinctively Brethren perspective. Those modules include: Brethren History, Life and Thought, The Church and its Administration, and Pastoral Ministry.

Students are encouraged to check with their local congregations about the possibility of financial assistance or support for their studies. Congregations may be willing to provide some assistance in exchange for the student’s ministry involvement in the local church. Regions may be able to offer some financial aid and students are encouraged to check with their regional leadership.