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Certificate for Mission Leaders

Posted on December 6, 2022November 29, 2022 by ptsblog
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Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is excited to offer our revamped Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership, offered through the Seminary’s World Mission Initiative, starting in January 2023. This graduate certificate is a hybrid program that equips students through academic and experiential training, mentoring, and the development of skills in networking to engage their congregations more faithfully and effectively in God’s mission.

Equipping Today’s Mission Leaders

The last 50 years have seen sweeping changes in technology, international travel, communication, and culture. All of these changes have profoundly impacted how American Christians and their local congregations engage in God’s mission.

Nearly two million American Christians engage in short-term mission trips each year. Whereas the majority of decisions about mission used to be made by denominational and mission agency executives, today the vast majority of mission decisions are made by congregational mission leaders. This includes pastors, mission committees, youth leaders, women’s organization leaders, and others who work to engage a local congregation locally and globally in God’s mission.

Is This Program For Me?

The Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership is ideal for people leading churches and nonprofit organizations involved in mission work. Students receive broad preparation in mission theology, intercultural communication and conflict resolution, and short-term mission trip leadership to equip them for ministry in both global and local contexts.

“This certificate program provides congregational mission leaders—the lay and clergy responsible for leading their congregations in local and global mission—with the tools, best practices, and space for prayerful reflection they need to reshape their people’s participation in the mission of God.”

– The Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, Director of the World Mission Initiative

How Does It Work?

The Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership is a 16-month hybrid program and includes:

• Three online courses: Introduction to Missional Leadership, Leading Congregations in Mission, and an elective chosen by the student

• One intensive course: Intercultural/Experiential Learning which provides experiential training in short-term mission trip leadership

• 12 monthly online cohort gatherings

• On-campus Gathering Retreat for cohort community-building and introduction to program pedagogy

Students interested in this certificate program must complete the Seminary’s standard application for admission process. Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid are available.

Why should I complete this program?

The Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership allows you to enhance your leadership role through the sharing of best practices and networking with a cohort of other mission leaders and with a missional coach. Whether you already have a master’s degree or you’re new to seminary, the Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership is a great way to expand your theological education.

The application deadline is Jan. 4, 2023.

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Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

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