Certificate in Congregational Leadership

Program Structure

The Certificate in Congregational Leadership (CCL) Program offers online learning to provide a comprehensive approach to developing leadership excellence in the local church. It is designed accommodate the busy schedule of the bi-vocational pastor and certified lay minister.

The program is comprised of seven online courses, four required and three elective. Participants must complete the four required courses and at least one elective course for certificate completion. Each course enables participants to access material independently, making it possible to coordinate with one's busy schedule. Online courses are offered through BeADisciple.com.

CCL Course Offerings

Core (required for certificate) offerings are listed in bold. At least one elective must be chosen from the other online offerings for Certificate completion.

Online Offerings

Courses are offered through beadisciple.com. Courses required for Certificate completion are listed in bold.

Basic Courses ($59 each)

Capstone Course ($198)

The Non-Anxious Leader:
Family Systems Basics                          July 1-28, 2019

Click on the course title above to get more information and/or to register for a course.

*While this program is designed for Part-Time Local Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers who have completed the CLM process and are assigned to a ministry setting, any person, lay or clergy, may participate in any or all of its components and receive a Certificate of Congregational Leadership by completing the requirements.

The CCL Program is open to all. Those that do not wish to pursue a Certificate in Congregational Leadership may disregard the course requirements.

The CCL cycle of online courses will be offered at about the same time each year. Therefore, one can complete the Certificate requirements over the course of two years or more, depending on schedule and budget.

About BeADisciple.com

BeADisciple.com is a program of the Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College (IFD). The IFD was founded by Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke, developers of Disciple Bible Study. Disciple has nearly two million graduates world-wide.

The Wilkes founded IFD to provide educational opportunities that nurture and enrich Christian leaders, lay and clergy, for effective living and ministry. BeADisciple.com is the online learning platform that makes these educational opportunities accessible to people with busy schedules. They have served 7254 participants in 510 courses since their inception in 2006.

Program Leadership

Rev. Jack Shitama
Minister–in-Residence

Jack has served in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference since 1991. He served as co-mentor of the Dover District Provisional Member Covenant Group from 2005-2011.  His time in ministry has taught him the value of family systems theory in becoming an effective spiritual leader. He has shared this understanding through workshops, mentoring groups and online courses for the last 15 years. Jack is the author of Anxious Church, Anxious People: How to Lead Change in an Age of Anxiety.

Rev. Megan Shitama Weston
Program Coordinator

Megan was ordained a Deacon in The United Methodist Church in 2014. She served on a local church staff from 2005-2008 as the youth pastor. She has served in Camp & Retreat Ministry for the last  five years, with a focus on developing programs that foster spiritual growth.

The CCL program will feature a variety of presentations from spiritual leaders that have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in their specific subject area.