ACADEMIC TRAINING

In order to earn the Certificate of Endorsement of Preaching Ministry and the Certificate of Endorsement of Associate Ministry from Midwest, students must satisfactorily complete twenty courses of study. The Certificate of Endorsement of Bible Knowledge requires satisfactory completion of five courses of study. Courses, taught by highly qualified teachers, are academically rigorous and require the student to listen to lectures, engage in classroom discussion, read numerous books, complete assignments, write papers, and take tests.

Midwest strives to make a quality ministry education affordable for anyone. Tuition for the program is $7,500, excluding room and board..

Preaching Ministry

Course Schedule for the Certificate of Endorsement of Preaching Ministry

  • Year 1, Term A
    • From Eternity to Eternity I
    • Interpreting the Bible I
    • Introduction to Preaching
    • Systematic Theology I
    • Ministry in the Local Church: Preaching Ministry Focus
  • Year 1, Term B
    • From Eternity to Eternity II
    • Interpreting the Bible II
    • Intermediate Bible Lesson Planning
    • Systematic Theology II
    • Living Wisely
  • Year 2, Term A
    • Gospels I
    • Acts of the Apostles
    • Timothy & Titus
    • Intermediate Preaching
    • Church History
  • Year 2, Term B
    • Gospels II
    • Romans
    • Christian Apologetics
    • Restoration History
    • Advanced Preaching
Associate Ministry

Course Schedule for the Certificate of Endorsement of Associate Ministry

  • Year 1, Term A
    • From Eternity to Eternity I
    • Interpreting the Bible I
    • Preaching (men) or Teaching the Bible to Women & Children (women)
    • Systematic Theology I
    • Ministry in the Local Church: Associate Ministry Focus
  • Year 1, Term B
    • From Eternity to Eternity II
    • Interpreting the Bible II
    • Intermediate Bible Lesson Planning
    • Systematic Theology II
    • Living Wisely
  • Year 2, Term A
    • Gospels I
    • Acts of the Apostles
    • Timothy & Titus
    • Advanced Bible Lesson Planning
    • Church History
  • Year 2, Term B
    • Gospels II
    • Romans
    • Christian Apologetics
    • Restoration History
    • Writing Bible Teaching Curriculum

APPRENTICESHIP

The apprenticeship experience is an arrangement where students of Midwest learn the practical skills of ministry by training under the supervision of one or more ministers in one or more congregations. Students completing the Certificate of Endorsement for Preaching Ministry or the Certificate of Endorsement for Associate Ministry must invest a minimum of 1,500 hours in the apprenticeship experience.
  • Preaching/Teaching Skills
    • Present the plan of salvation
    • Significant practice in preparing and delivering sermons and/or lessons (with oversight and/or feedback)
    • Taking a confession of faith
    • Proper way to conduct a baptismal service (including how to baptize somebody)
    • Preparing messages for funerals
    • Preparing messages for weddings
  • Administrative Skills
    • Organizing one’s time and personal schedule
    • Proper way to conduct oneself in various meetings
    • Planning for meetings
    • Making presentations in meetings
    • Understand how finances work in a local church (the ability to understand budgeting and financial statements, etc.)
    • Implement best practices in financial matters in the local church (keeping receipts, operating within a budget, etc.)
    • Administration of a church ministry (appropriate planning, communicating with those involved, etc.)
    • Assembling and working with teams of people
  • Pastoral Skills
    • Making hospital visitations
    • Visting people in nursing homes
    • Ministering to those who are dying
    • Ministering to those who are grieving
    • Ministering to various members of the church as needed

MORE THAN ONE LOCATION

Students in Midwest may complete the apprenticeship requirement in more than one local church. This allows them to be exposed to multiple churches in multiple contexts and helps equip them to be ready to begin a new ministry on their own.