Christian Growth Academy
Educational courses for personal growth and/or preparation for Lay Preachers, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Continuing Education for UCC and for Disciples of Christ Pastors
Course Sequence
Spiritual Formation: This course is designed to introduce students to the history and richness of Christian spirituality while teaching the many formative practices that shape our personal and communal life. Students will not only learn about spiritual formation, but they will also have time to apply what they learned in their daily as well as church life.
Old Testament: This introduction to the literary, historical, cultural and theological significance of God’s word to us will teach how to interpret scripture using accepted exegetical processes and resource. Students will learn to apply scripture in preaching and teaching. (20 hrs)
New Testament: This introduction to the historical, literary, cultural, theological significance of God’s word to us in the life and teaching of Jesus and the early church, will give students an understanding of the significant themes in the New Testament, their relationship to the Old Testament, and their importance for contemporary faith. (20 hrs).
Reformed Theology: This course will acquaint students with Reformed theology from an historical perspective and as it is understood in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and UCC. It will include a Reformed understanding of worship and the sacraments with comparison to other Christian understandings. (20 hrs)
Religious Education Theory and Teaching: In a study of human development relating to faith development, this course will give students practical application of teaching as a ministry of the church. The course will include an introduction to resources, styles of learning and age-appropriate education. This course will give the student the ability to integrate religious educational theory and practice in the church’s educational ministries. (20 hrs)
Preaching: How to develop a sermon from exegesis to delivery will be the focus of this practical course. It will cover styles of proclaiming the Word and practice in preaching. (20 hrs)
Worship and Sacraments: Planning worship services, using the liturgical calendar, lectionary readings, and selecting music will be included in this course. It will include a review of basic understandings of Reformed worship and sacraments. (20 hrs)
Pastoral Care: This course will emphasize the assessment and referral process for individuals in need of pastoral care. It will discuss pastoral care of the connectional church: local congregation, Presbytery, Synod, General Assembly, and ecumenical and interfaith communities. It will cover the care and help available to an educator or lay pastor. (20 hrs)
Presbyterian Polity: This will cover working knowledge of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the relationship of the Commissioned Lay Minister to the Presbytery, including professional ethics and conduct. It will discuss the connectional church and the place of the local congregation in the mission of the whole church. (15 hrs)