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. Deadline to apply is September 15th.
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 sixteen 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