10 years on: Austin Seminary’s Certificate in Ministry

10 years on
Austin Seminary’s Certificate in Ministry

By Usama Malik (MDiv’20)

Shortly before the launch of Austin Seminary’s Certificate in Ministry (CIM) program in the fall of 2013, then Academic Dean Allan Cole wrote, “The CIM is a response to the changing needs of churches … It is faithful to our mission as a school in service to the church to offer alternative paths to training for ministry leadership along with our master’s-level degree programs.”

Ten years later, his words still ring true for a program that has found its niche. As a program designed to equip those preparing for leadership roles in the church, the CIM was ahead of its time. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic created a push for learning into virtual modalities, the CIM was already taught primarily online in a self-paced and flexible manner, accessible by learners from all across the country.

Administered through the Office of Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies, with a curriculum designed and taught almost exclusively by Austin Seminary resident faculty, the CIM program is shaped to provide a strong theological and ministerial foundation for all students. The program features a total of nine courses, seven accessed exclusively online, with the other two adding one weekend of intensive on-campus instruction and experience. Students may take as many or as few courses as they wish, but in order to earn the certificate, they must complete seven courses.

Speaking to the design of the program, The Reverend Dr. Sarah Allen (MDiv’07, DMin’19), director of ministerial formation and advanced studies, shares, “The CIM was created for folks who may be working full-time and who are only able to serve their congregations on the weekends. It provides an opportunity to those who could not participate in a master’s-level program but still seek to deepen their theological and biblical knowledge.” And, she added, the Seminary faculty who teach in the program possess a deep commitment to both the academy and the church and are committed “not just to the nurture of future ministers, but also to leaders in congregations who may or may not ever seek seminary education for ordained ministry.”

Though the program initially began with a focus on those interested in becoming Commissioned Ruling Elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Allen noted that it has since broadened in scope, recognizing, “there are adult learners who perhaps want a little bit more than their Christian education hour is able to provide, who want to grow deeper in their faith and expand their theological and biblical underpinnings. They may not have an interest in seeking ministry leadership, but may want to understand scripture, theology, and the church.”

In the ten years since its inception, the CIM program has continued to bring diverse cohorts of students to Austin Seminary’s physical and online classrooms, representing different geographical, denominational, and professional/vocational backgrounds. CIM alumni are enthusiastic about their time in the program and their vocational journeys afterward. Many likely never anticipated coming to seminary or completing a program such as the CIM, yet the journey opened new paths. Armel Crocker (CIM’19) of Dallas shared how, throughout his extensive career in healthcare, he “had been ministering to patients without knowing it.” Now, among a variety of involvements with his presbytery, he helps organize safe and supportive camps for LGBTQIA+ youth. Ann Ditty (CIM’15) of Kansas City, felt that she was pretty clear that theological education was not for her. “I never wanted to go to seminary and deal with all that theology stuff,” she said, and yet after retiring from her career as a social worker and sensing a call to be a chaplain, she found herself in her very first class immersed in “all that theology stuff.” Others, like Tracy Ebarb (CIM’22) from Lavon, Texas, Melinda Hunt (CIM’16) of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Sherry Kenney (CIM’19) of Denver, Colorado—who all had extensive experience within the church—felt a strong sense of call to expand their ministries and discovered the CIM was a natural next step in discerning that call.

As they reflected on their time in the CIM program, these alumni fondly recalled a variety of meaningful experiences. The accessibility of the distance-learning program was a highlight for several. As someone who was working full-time, Tracy Ebarb said, “The program fit well—I was consulting, doing stewardship ministry, traveling a great deal, and the program—being online, self-paced, and flexible—enabled me to finally get that ministry training that I found very useful.” Similarly, Melinda Hunt, who was among the first students in the CIM program, agreed, “Distance learning worked well for me because I was still working full time and traveling a lot … I could view the lectures and do readings and coursework on my own schedule.”

For many, the on-campus experiences were most memorable. Armel Crocker recalled a Maundy Thursday service during the campus intensive: “It was the very first time that I had been involved in a Maundy Thursday service where we actually washed people’s feet … I still get goose bumps when I think about that service … it gave me a different perspective on ministering to people in a loving way.” Teresa Burns (CIM’16) of Pulaski, Tennessee shared, “I loved the on-campus sessions … It was such a neat experience—especially as a lot of us were coming from different parts of the country—getting to meet the other people in the program face-to-face and work together … It was pretty powerful.”

For others, learning with the Austin Seminary faculty was the biggest highlight. Ann Ditty shared, “I now call those amazing faculty teachers ‘the superheroes’... they really valued and treated us with respect … They would share a lot about their personal lives in relation to their ministries … [and] they would ask us to share in very authentic ways … All of that really created a sense of respect for our call.” Sherry Kenney mentioned that for her, “the biggest highlight was being able to learn from the Austin Seminary professors [who were] just exceptional … The knowledge and the professionalism and the insights to be able to even just scratch the surface was a real benefit to me as a person, both in my work and as a human being.”

CIM alumni experiences were not just meaningful for the duration of their studies, but even more so within their respective ministries and personal lives. Ann Ditty says, “The last thing I ever wanted to do is preach. Guess what? That’s what often I am asked to do! So I do offer pulpit supply and I have continued to grow, because every time I do, I learn so much and I can share that in such an honest way that people can relate.” Teresa Burns, who worked as a part-time youth minister, said, “I really feel like it equipped me to do my job better and in my own personal life. It gave me a broader understanding of theology and where to go to find some answers to my questions and encourage my teenagers to ask some hard questions.” Melinda Hunt, who does occasional pulpit supply, said, “One of the things I began to learn was how to go a little deeper into the scripture theologically … [W]hen I prepare to preach and plan and lead worship, I want the folks out in the pews to feel like they have permission to ask questions.” Sherry Kenney mentioned, “Through my previous work with the Presbyterian Foundation I continue to be involved with the Church Financial Leadership Coach Program offered to pastors, and just having had more exposure to the Seminary—knowing more about who pastors are, where they come from, and what their education looks like—helps me be a better coach for them.” Armel Crocker adds, “It certainly gave me a crisper perception of the pastoral care that I had been doing for years without really knowing. It inspired me to cultivate my ability to be a better listener [and] just that one intimate service taught me the importance of offering that hospitality and tending not only to the body but the soul and the heart … I’m very grateful for that.”

Across the board, CIM alumni enthusiastically recommend the program, and they have been especially touched by how they had been welcomed by the Seminary as alumni and members of the Austin Seminary family. Ann Ditty said, “When we finished … we got the status forever of being alumni. Austin Seminary does embrace students and make them family. That’s who I am and it will always be a part of who I am, and for that they get a 5-star rating from me!” Sherry Kenney remarked, “I love being referred to as an Austin Seminary alumna, I do feel that connection and it’s a very positive one for me. I would recommend the CIM and theological education to anyone, without any reservations.” Teresa Burns spoke to the comprehensiveness of the program, sharing, “This is a great program. I think I would push someone in its direction who wants to deepen their walk and service in ministry … The professors and the whole process I experienced through the program was one of support; it was inclusive, it was encouraging, it was accessible. My questions, if I had any, were answered … The knowledge was just massively encouraging for me, and it is going to give you connections throughout ministry from different parts of the country.”

Now in its tenth year, the CIM program continues to meet the needs of both a changing landscape for churches and society, preparing students in a variety of ways beyond traditional leadership roles in the church, and does so in an empowering and accessible way.

Sarah Allen notes that “Part of our work here at Austin Seminary is to equip saints for the ministry of the church—and not just those who might be in places of visible congregational leadership [but] folks in the pews— to be more biblically literate and theologically grounded. To be able to hear how God might be calling them in and of their daily lives because the learning is empowering. It is empowering for the minister to know that there are people in the congregation to whom they can turn for support who have a depth of biblical and theological grounding. It is empowering for our churches, which subsequently become richer places where better questions get asked when we spark this curiosity.

“While this may not be a master’s-level education, students are getting a deep grounding, and that it is something they can do while working or in retirement. It is truly accessible, and the Seminary will work with you to make sure that you’re able to keep personal and professional commitments as you participate in the certificate program. Through the CIM we are equipping folks for ministry, not just traditional or parish ministry, but the ministry of life in its fullness.”