The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (CPM) program of Missouri School of Religion Center for Rural Ministry 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 Conference Center, the retreat facility of the Christian Church of Mid-America at the rural outskirts of Jefferson City, Missouri and occasionally in other satellite locations.
The Starting Point
The entry point for the program is the “Understanding the Bible course”. This is a mandatory prerequisite for new students in the program. The course is usually taught by Rev. Fran Schnarre, Director of Educational Ministry of MSR-CRM.
Courses are usually held at the Rickman Center (see page 10 for directions and information about the center). Typical classes are held once a month for three months from 7:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 p.m. Saturday (with the exception of two courses a year that are held from 9:00 a.m. Thursday to 5:00 Saturday).
There are also Congregational Nurture and Witness seminars that are held for one
weekend from 7:00 p.m. Friday to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in December. The cost of the course is dependent upon length.
