Missouri School of Religion (MSR) began its ministry over 100 years ago in Columbia, Missouri, as a project of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), focused on formal education for pastors and lay leaders in the church. The School quickly attracted interdenominational sponsorship and enjoyed Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational support. By 1930, the School had an interfaith character with the support of the Jewish Student Foundation. To this day, MSR has maintained and celebrated it ecumenical mission.
During most of its years in Columbia, MSR was located on the campus of the University of Missouri and focused on teaching religion classes accredited by the University. From 1952 to 1972 it possessed unique status as a Rural Graduate Seminary, in addition to its undergraduate focus.
In the early 1980’s MSR, after a period of serious study, redefined its role, becoming a center of continuing education for clergy and laity and maintaining its historic focus on leader development for small and rural congregations. Specialized educational opportunities in continuing education and in lay ministry training were developed.
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry
The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (CPM) Program of MSR-CRM was initially developed in 1983, then called Certificate in Pastoral Studies, to provide a foundational curriculum of education and ministry formation for licensed and commissioned lay ministers, especially those serving on a bi-vocational basis. The curriculum was developed in consultation with the Commission on Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mid-America to meet requirements for that judicatory’s licensed ministers but the content of the curriculum, the diverse pool of instructors and the ecumenical context of MSR-CRM’s work make it appropriate for many denominations to consider. The current curriculum was reshaped in 1998 after consultation by MSR-CRM staff with veteran instructors and ecumenical partners.
The CPM Program is designed to be completed in a minimum of three years and utilizes an intensive week-end educational format which is intentionally keyed to the schedule of lay persons and bi-vocational pastors. Courses are offered at the Rickman Center, the retreat facility of the Christian Church of Mid-America (CCMA) at the rural outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri and occasionally in other satellite locations. In 1985, MSR moved to Rickman Center, the retreat center of the Christian Church of Mid-America, where facilities were more conductive to these developing programs. Currently, Rickman remains the main "campus" for the educational programs, while the MSR administrative office is now located in the nearby CCMA Regional Office building.
MSR Center for Rural Ministry
In 1995, Missouri School of Religion again refined and reshaped its mission by becoming the MSR Center for Rural Ministry, thereby intensifying its focus on its historic mission to the rural church and community. MSR-CRM is governed by a 24 member ecumenical board of trustees representing eight Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church. MSR-CRM staff include: Rev. Fran Schnarre, Director of Educational Ministries, and Krystal Jacobs, Office Administrator.
A complete history of Missouri School of Religion Center for Rural Ministry was published during the 100th Anniversary Celebration in 1995 by Dr. Griffith Hamlin. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of "Missouri School of Religion: A Century and Still Counting" contact MSR-CRM: P.O. Box 104685, Jefferson City, MO 65110-4685, Phone: (800) 626-5924, 573-635-1187; email: KrystalMSR@earthlink.net Soft-bound copies are available for :$10.00 (shipping and handling included).
