Certificates

Non-Degree Certificates

The Non-degree Certificate programs of Midwestern Baptist College and Seminary are designed to offer basic biblical, theological, historical, and personal training for lay ministry in the local church. These certificates are not alternatives to undergraduate preparation for vocational ministry offered through the College; however, they afford students an opportunity to deepen their understanding and skills through study and training in a formal academic environment.

Students graduating with an Undergraduate Certificate will be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate introductory knowledge of the Bible and theology.
2. Interpret the English text of Scripture with greater proficiency using appropriate hermeneutical principles.
3. Articulate and defend their own theological beliefs on the basis of Scripture and within the larger setting of church history.
4. Understand and practice the classical spiritual disciplines.
5. Be engaged faithfully in the Great Commission, having the skills and understanding needed for lay evangelism and/or missions involvement.

Undergraduate Certificates Offered:

The curriculum for each certificate is determined by the prefix assigned to each 3 credit-hour course appearing in the institution’s undergraduate catalog. Accordingly, the following certificates are available to the non-degree seeking undergraduate student

• History and Theology – 4 courses with an HT prefix
• Biblical Studies – 4 courses taken with a BS prefix
• Humanities – 4 courses taken with an HM prefix
• Business – 4 courses taken with a BN prefix
• Biblical Counseling – 4 courses taken with a BC prefix
• Christian Education – 4 courses taken with a CE prefix
• Ministry – 4 courses taken with an MN prefix
• General studies – any 4 courses
• Certificate of Worship Ministries

Graduate Certificates Offered:

The curriculum for each certificate is determined by the prefix assigned to each 3 credit-hour course appearing in the institution’s graduate catalog. Accordingly, the following certificates are available to the non-degree seeking graduate student

• Biblical Studies – 4 courses taken with a BS prefix
• Christian Education – 4 courses taken with a CE prefix
• Christian Ministry – Any 4 courses
• Biblical Counseling – 4 courses taken with a BC prefix
• History and Theology – 4 courses with an HT prefix

Purpose
The Certificate in Worship Ministries (CWM) offers an abbreviated course of instruction that prepares bi-vocational and lay worship leaders an opportunity to develop personal skill in the theory and practice of worship ministry, while giving current full-time students additional training in a core ministry skill. There are no competency music tests required for entering this course of study.

Objectives
Students earning the CWM will be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate a basic biblical and historical framework upon which to form a theology of worship and philosophy of ministry practice

2. Demonstrate the basic leadership, communication, and ministerial skills with which to humbly serve, minister and relate to staff, congregation, and worship ministry

3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of local church worship ministry that transcends church size, musical style, and various worship ministry trends – learning to utilize a gospel filter with which to carry out and implement all worship ministry ideas and endeavors

4. Demonstrate an elementary understanding of fundamental musical leadership skills including worship ministry technologies

Required Courses

• CM 9100 Biblical Foundations of Worship 3 hrs
• CM 9205 Survey of Christian Worship & Congregational Song 3 hrs

Electives (Choose 2)

• CM 9401 Worship Ministry Administration 3 hrs
• CM 9403 Corporate Worship Leadership 3 hrs
• CM 9421 Worship Technology 3 hrs