Bishop Kemper School for Ministry

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one’s diocese. However, this curriculum will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a lay pastoral minister. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.

Attending the new student retreat in July is extremely helpful.

Required Courses:

• Christian Spirituality (September)
• Pastoral Theology and Care (December)
• Grief Ministry (TBD)
• Anglican Spirituality (Prayer Book) (May)

Elective Courses:

• One course in Holy Scriptures
• One course in Christian Theology

(in the elective courses students should pursue paper topics related to pastoral ministry)

According to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, "a Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith" (Canon III.4.8).

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one's diocese. However, this curriculum will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a lay catechist. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.

Attending the new student retreat in July is extremely helpful.

Required Courses

Adult Catechesis and Formation (October)

The primary focus of the class is on the ancient and modern catechumenate, especially in terms of preparation for baptism and confirmation. The course will also look at other formation issues for adults, particularly vocational discernment and spiritual direction.

Theology of Education Ministry (November)

In this class, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of human learning and development and the philosophy of education. You will learn how to identify and develop educational objectives and gain familiarity with the principles and practices for designing, implementing, and assessing curricula. Finally, this course will explore the theology of formation and the place of formation in the life and work of the church.

The Contemporary Catechumenate (March)

Students will be come familiar with exciting current ecumenical developments in the retrieval of the church's long tradition of catechumenate. They will learn about current social trends and how to respond to contemporary realities in ways that foster the preparation and formation of Christian disciples.

Christian History (April)

Students learn about the development of Christian thought from the apostolic age to the present.

Anglican Spirituality (May)

An introduction to the spirituality of the Book of Common Prayer, with special attention to the daily office.

ONE ELECTIVE

In a subject matter (Bible, history, etc.) relevant to the catechetical needs in one's particular congregational setting.

Although all Christians are called to be evangelists (that is, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ), the Church recognizes that certain individuals have particular giftings in this area. The Lay Evangelist program provides you helpful coursework to lead evangelism efforts more effectively in your faith community.

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one's diocese. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.

We highly recommend attending the new student retreat in July.

Required Courses

• Communications in the Digital Age (TBD)
• Evangelism (November)
• Social Ministry 1 (February)
• Social Ministry 2 (March)
• Contemporary Society (TBD)
• Christian History (April)
• Anglican Spirituality (May)

According to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, "a Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith" (Canon III.4.5).

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one's diocese. However, this curriculum will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a lay preacher. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course must be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual BKSM academic policies and procedures. After you have successfully completed the eight courses listed below, BKSM. will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.

We strongly recommend participation in the new student retreat offered every July.

Required courses

• Homiletics for Lay Preaching (August)
• Introduction to Scripture (September)
• Old Testament I (October)
• Sacramental Theology (March)
• Christian History (April)
• New Testament (May)

According to the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church, "a Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop" (Canon III.4.3).

Licenses for all canonical lay ministries are issued by the bishop of one's diocese. However, this curriculum will provide you the course preparation you need to be effective as a pastoral leader. If you have questions about lay licensure, contact your diocesan office.

Each course should be taken for credit. Students follow all the usual academic policies and procedures of BKSM. After you have successfully completed the courses listed below, BKSM will award you a certificate of completion and forward your transcript to your bishop.

We strongly recommend participation in the new student retreat offered every July.

Required Courses

• Christian Spirituality (September)
• Evangelism (November)
• Environment (December)
• Polity and Canons (January)
• Congregational Leadership (March)
• Diversity, Inclusion, and the Mission of the Church (May)
• History of the Episcopal Church (TBD)
• Church Finance (TBD)