Commissioned Lay Pastor Program

Since 1997, the Continuing Education Office has joined with the Presbyteries of Western Pennsylvania to provide training for persons preparing to serve as Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs) or Authorized Lay Preachers (ALPs). The coursework fulfills the course requirements of the Book of Order in the PC(U.S.A.).

This is an intensive training program that requires a serious commitment of time and energy. Careful reading of textbooks, perceptive participation in discussions, and thoughtful completion of writing assignments are expected of all participants. The program lasts two years and is presented in six three-month terms. A retreat focusing on spiritual formation opens and closes the program.

The program uses a hybrid schedule with classes offered online and face to face (F2F). The F2F classes meet one weekend each month at the Seminary in the spring and fall; there are no F2Fclasses scheduled during the winter months. The online classes use a course management system known as “Moodle.” Topics include preaching, reformed theology, worship and sacraments, pastoral care, Christian education, and polity.

The Seminary awards a certificate to those who complete this course of studies. Local Presbyteries maintain final responsibility for the commissioning and deployment of Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors. It is important to note that admission to the program is determined by the Presbyteries, not the Seminary. Approval to participate is dependent on one’s home Presbytery. Therefore, interested persons should contact their Presbyteries for further information about the program.

The next cohort is tentatively scheduled to begin in September 2011. If you feel a call to consider becoming a CLP, speak with your pastor first. Then, contact your home Presbytery about enrolling in this program. The Presbyteries approve candidates for the program. 

The Enrollment Requirements

Participants must be endorsed by their home presbyteries to enroll in the program. Participants who enroll in the entire program of F2F and Distance Learning courses are ensured a place in all of the courses. Once cohort members have been registered, students from other presbyteries in the Synod of the Trinity may register for the Distance Learning courses, with the same requirement for judicatory endorsement. All classes employ a pass/fail grading system.

Each cohort participant is expected to attend all F2F sessions and to complete all assigned work. In the case of emergency situations, any missed work must be made up. More than one absence in a F2F course must be negotiated with the instructor and may result in a failing grade for the class. Applicants should be aware that this is a rigorous program. Participants will need to spend significant periods of time on a regular basis reading, writing serious reflection papers and responding thoughtfully to the work of classmates.

Access to a computer and the Internet and the willingness to participate in online coursework are requirements for participation in this program. At the conclusion of the program, the Seminary will provide a certificate to those who have completed the course of studies. Remember that local presbyteries maintain final responsibility for commissioning and deployment of Lay Preachers and Lay Pastors. Completion of this program, therefore, does not automatically guarantee commissioning as a lay pastor.

Current Cohort Schedule

Spiritual Formation Retreat:  March 2009
Personal Formation: F2F (Mar. 13-14, 2009)
Moodle Training Course: Online

Term I:  April– June 2009
Preaching: Exegesis F2F (April 24-25, May 29-30)
Christian Education: Online

Term II:  September – November 2009
Preaching: Homiletics F2F (Sept. 11-12, Oct. 16-17)
Bible 1: Online

Term III:  January – March 2010
Bible 2: Online
Reformed Theology: Online

Term IV:  April – June 2010
Pastoral Care: F2F (April 16-17, May 14-15, June 18-19)
Worship: Liturgy and Sacraments F2F (April 16-17, May 14-15, June 18-19)
 

Term V:  September – November 2010
Preaching Practicum: F2F (Sept. 10-11, Oct. 22-23)
Bible 3 Online

Term VI:  January – March 2011
Polity: Online

Bible 4: Online

April 2011:  Final Spiritual Formation Retreat
Midwives of Formation: F2F (One weekend, dates TBD)
Graduation Worship