The Certificate in African American Ministry (CAAM) provides theological, biblical, spiritual, and leadership training for women and men as pastoral leaders with attention to the twenty-first century African American congregational context. It supports those enrolled in the program to pursue excellence in core areas of ministerial practice. The program is a partnership of Lexington Theological Seminary, The Office of African American Clergy Leadership Development, and the National Convocation. It is funded in part by the Thriving in Ministry Project at LTS with a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
To accommodate busy schedules, students attend synchronous courses online (via Zoom) as well as four-day, in-person intensive courses* at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY, in the summer (these in-person gatherings are dependent upon changing circumstances pertaining to the COVID 19 pandemic). Upon successful completion of all 12 courses, students earn the Certificate in African American Ministry or they may apply them as continuing education (CEU) credits.
Admission and Program Costs
The application for new students includes a nonrefundable $25 application fee.
Additional costs are as follows:
online classes –$75/course;
In-person courses –$200/session (includes lunch).
Upcoming Courses in 2020-2021
- October 16, 2020 / on Zoom 5:00 -6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)/ Welcome & Orientation
- October 17 & 24, 2020 / each session held on Zoom 12:30 p.m. –5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) / LM 100 –Evangelism & Missions
- December 12 & 19, 2020 / each session held on Zoom 12:30 p.m. –5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) / IS 100 – Old Testament
- February 13 & 20, 2021 / each session held on Zoom 12:30 p.m. –5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) /IS 110 – New Testament
- April 17 & 24, 2021 / each session held on Zoom 12:30 p.m. –5:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) /IP 100 – History of Christianity & History & Polity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- June 7-11, 2021 / Summer Intensive on Lexington campus*
- Mornings:LW 100 -Preaching
- Afternoons: IF 100 -We Are One: Disciples Theology
Courses in the Certificate Program
The curriculum of the CAAM program addresses six-teen areas of ministerial practice, including: biblical knowledge, church administration and planning, communication, cross cultural and anti-racism experience, ecumenism, teaching and leader development, ethics, evangelism, mission of the Church in the world, pastoral care, preaching, spiritual development, stewardship, theology, and worship.
Over the course of enrollment, students in the Certificate program take the following courses:
- IS 100 Old Testament
- IS 110 New Testament
- IB 100 Christian Social Ethics
- IB 110 Diversity in a Globalized World
- IF 100 We are One: Disciples Theology
- IP 100 History of Christianity & History& Polity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)LC 100 Pastoral Care and Spiritual Growth
- LF 100 Principles of Christian Education
- LM 100 Evangelism and Missions
- LM 110 Administration & Stewardship
- LW 100 Preaching
- LW 110 Worship
