The continuing education programs provide non-college credit courses that are designed for active church members. The Continuing Education Programs of Southern Methodist College are designed for Christians who desire to improve their knowledge and skills in education and local church work.
LOCAL CHURCH STUDIES
Southern Methodist College provides continuing education certificate programs to local church lay members of all Christian denominations.
Church Leadership Certificates
Southern Methodists will take the following:
CM 001 Introduction to Southern Methodist Ministry 3 CEU*
Bi 001 Introduction to Biblical Literature 3 CEU
CM 005 Role of the Steward, Deacon, or Local Elder in the Church 3 CEU
WI 013 Becoming an Effective Witness – How Do I Tell Them? 3 CEU
* Non-Southern Methodists would take CM 002, Introduction to Local Church Ministry, 3 CEU, instead of CM 001.
Sunday School Certificates
Bi 001 Introduction to Biblical Literature 3 CEU
Bi 010 Basic Christian Beliefs 3 CEU*
WI 013 Becoming an Effective Witness – How Do I Tell Them? 3 CEU
*WI 012, Laying the Foundations may substitute for Bi 010..
The student will choose one the following:
CM 020 Teaching Adult Sunday School Class 3 CEU
CM 030 Teaching Church Youth 3 CEU
CM 040 Teaching Children in Church 3 CEU
CM 050 Teaching Infants 3 CEU
Lay Speaker’s Certificate
(9 Continuing Education Credits)
Methodism has historically recognized the importance of lay ministry in the proclamation of the gospel and in the witness of the Church. The Lay Speakers Certificate prepares individuals for the lay speaking within the local church as lay ministers or exhorters. The program certifies the “Conference Course for Lay Ministers” that The Southern Methodist Church Disciplinerequires (⁋ 616) for a Lay License to serve in a local Southern Methodist church. While not the first formal step for pursuing pastoral ministry, we recognize that some laymen decide later to enter the pastorate.
Men seeking a Southern Methodist Lay License would complete the following:
CM 001 Introduction to Southern Methodist Ministry 3 CEU*
Bi 001 Introduction to Biblical Literature 3 CEU
Sp 001 Introduction to Proclamation and Exhortation 3 CEU
* Non-Southern Methodists would take CM 002, Introduction to Local Church Ministry, 3 CEU, instead of CM 001.
THE WESLEY INSTITUTE
The Wesley Institute provides continuing education studies to both churches and ministers. The Institute is administered by Southern Methodist College with material provided by Light of Life. Churches can use these courses to provide in depth Bible and theological studies to small groups. These studies require more time than a standard Sunday school and are great for discipleship and home Bible study groups.
Conference Course of Study
The Southern Methodist Church uses the Wesley Institute for its Conference Course of Study (CCOS). Ministerial mentors guide the CCOS student through the curriculum. A man who is granted a Permit to Preach by the Annual Conference must complete the 36 CEU credits in the Certificate Toward a License to Preach. A Licentiate completes the 24 CEU credits in Certificate Toward Deacon’s Orders and a Deacon completes the 12 CEU credits in the Certificate Toward Elder’s Orders.
This mentored study is not limited to Southern Methodist ministerial candidates or ministers. Ministers from other denominations are welcome to participate in the program to fulfill the ongoing continuing education requirements for maintaining ministerial credentials.
General Expectations
The Wesley Institute provides non-college credit courses to church groups and to more seasoned ministerial students. Local churches and ministers may use these guided studies for small groups and one-on-one discipleship programs. The Wesley Institute programs also provides guided-study course for fulfilling the required CEUs needed for ministerial advancement in Conference Course of Study of The Southern Methodist Church. must complete the following requirements. Conference Course of Study students must complete the following requirements for each course:
1) The text of the course book must be read, all questions answered, and the book submitted upon completion to Southern Methodist College instructor for grading on a pass/fail basis.
2) Periodic meetings must be attended at the discretion of the assigned instructor.
3) A statement that a minimum of twenty-five (25) clock hours must be spent on the reading and completion of assignments, including time communicating with the instructor.
Wesley Certificate Toward a License to Preach
(36 Continuing Education Credits)Prerequisite: License to Preach Certificate .
The Wesley Certificate Toward a License to Preach fulfills the academic requirements for the “Conference Couse of Study for Licentiates” of The Southern Methodist Church (Discipline ⁋ 621.2).
YEAR ONE
WI 011 Laying the Foundation – God’s Answer to Your Questions 3 CEU
WI 012 Building on the Foundation – Understanding God’s Revelation 3 CEU
WI 013 Becoming an Effective Witness – How Do I Tell Them? 3 CEU
WI 014 A Study of the Christ – Jesus from Creation to Consummation 3 CEU
YEAR TWO
WI 021 Preparing & Delivering a Sermon 3 CEU
WI 022 The Holy Spirit – His Work, His Gifts, His Fruit 3 CEU
WI 023 Ministering to the Hurting – Ministry in Action 3 CEU
WI 024 Free to Serve God – Answering the Call to Christian Service 3 CEU
YEAR THREE
WI 031 Bible Study Methods 3 CEU
WI 032 Major World Religions & Christian Cults – A Basic Overview 3 CEU
WI 033 Survey of Christian Education – Growing in Grace & Knowledge 3 CEU
WI 034 Romans 3 CEU
Wesley Certificate Toward Deacon’s Orders
(24 Continuing Education Credits) Prerequisite: CEU Certificate Toward a License to Preach and acceptance into the Annual Conference.
The Wesley Certificate Toward Deacon’s Orders fulfills the academic requirements for the Conference Couse of Study for Conference Deacons in The Southern Methodist Church (Discipline ⁋ 633).
YEAR ONE
WI 041 A Review of Church History – Early Church Through 20th Century 3 CEU
WI 042 John Wesley – His Life, His Ministry, and Doctrines 3 CEU
WI 043 Biblical Ethics – Doing What is Right (In Every Situation) 3 CEU
WI 044 Acts 3 CEU
YEAR TWO
WI 051 Pastoral Epistles 3 CEU
WI 052 Character Studies in Leadership – How to Lead God’s People 3 CEU
WI 053 Concepts of Church Growth – Home Missions & Church Planting 3 CEU
Elective 3 CEU
Wesley Certificate Toward Elder’s Orders
(12 Continuing Education Credits) Prerequisite: CEU Certificate Toward a Deacon’s Orders and election to the Deacons Orders
The Wesley Certificate Toward Elder’s Orders fulfills the academic requirements for the Conference Couse of Study for Conference Elders in The Southern Methodist Church (Discipline ⁋ 633).
COURSES
WI 061 Understanding Our Wesleyan Heritage – Where We Are Today 3 CEU
WI 062 A Theology of Missions – Reaching the World for Christ 3 CEU
WI 063 Biblical Counseling – Applying Scriptural Truth to Personal Life 3 CEU