Congregational Equipping
Engaging the Changing Needs of the Church and World
Congregational Equipping courses offer a focused dive into the things you need to participate in ministry leadership, whether you serve as a church officer, a Christian Education leader or teacher, want training to become a commissioned ruling elder (CRE), or simply want to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith.
Students in Congregational Equipping courses can take individual courses based on specific ministry opportunities or can choose to complete series of course to earn a certificate in Congregational Leadership. Course offerings begin each semester and are provided flexibly online in 8-week sessions with experienced UDTS faculty and limited class sizes.
Commonly Asked Questions about Congregational Equipping Courses
Who are Congregational Equipping classes for? What can you expect in your online experience? How much time will courses take each week? Get all of your questions about Congregational Equipping courses answered below.
Who are Congregational Equipping classes for?
Are you a leader or teacher in your church looking for guidance in your role? Are you considering a call to ministry as a lay leader? Are you seeking commissioning as a ruling elder to lead a church as a CRE? Congregational Equipping classes are for you!
Do I need an advanced degree to take Congregational Equipping classes?
No! No advanced degree or other preparation is necessary. Students in Congregational Equipping classes need to know how to utilize things like internet webpages and email, and they need to be ready to read 300-500 pages of reading and write 7-10 pages of writing assignments over eight weeks.
Is online learning right for me?
Online education is exciting and convenient. It requires active participation in the course work, a light level of motivation, a strong sense of discipline, and a willingness to work in a group as well as independently. A basic level of computer proficiency is required for successful completion of an online course. Students student be comfortable using a web browser, email, opening word processing or video files, uploading files, etc.
How much time does one class take?
You can expect to spend 4-5 hours per week on participation, reading, writing, and other assignments and engagements for eight weeks. Classes are offered semi-synchronously and online (work completed weekly, no required in-class time, no residency component).
How many courses can I take at one time?
Our recommendation is that students who are working outside the home full-time or in the home with full time responsibilities should take one course at one time. This allows students to complete four courses per year, and complete the Congregational Leadership certificate, eight courses, in two years.
What is the Certificate in Congregational Leadership?
Students completing the eight core required courses offered in Congregational Equipping will earn a certificate in Congregational Leadership. This certificate includes courses required for those seeking commissioning as a Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE).
Can I receive graduate credit for my certificate?
The Congregational Equipping classes are typically only offered not-for credit. In rare situations, a course may be offered either for graduate credit or not-for credit simultaneously in Learning Communities.
What grading system is used for Congregational Equipping courses?
Not-for-credit courses use pass/fail grading. The student's progress in achieving the course objectives will be measured through examinations, writing assignments, weekly online discussions, and electronic group assignments. To pass a course, a student needs to participate on time in at least 75% of the course, and do passable work on the course assignments per the instructor's syllabus.
Will Congregational Equipping courses certify me for ministry?
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is not a certification agency for ministry. As with ordained ministry, the path to being commissioned as a Ruling Elder is certified through the individual's denominational judicatory (Presbytery, Church and Ministry Committee, or Local Church, depending on denominational background). UDTS does, however, certify the completion of courses.