The Lay Leader Training Certificate Program (LLTP), designed for lay leaders in immigrant fellowships and congregations, is offered in Spanish, English, and Korean. Presbyterian traditions differ from country to country, and immigrant fellowships and New Church Developments in the United States include people from different backgrounds. Immigrant Lay Leader training is designed to instruct lay leaders in the beliefs and polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Some participants in the LLTP Certificate Program become Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLPs) through their presbyteries. Since 1985, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has recognized CLPs. CLPs are eligible to lead worship, preach, administer the sacraments, moderate Sessions, provide pastoral care, perform weddings (where allowed by civil law), and have voice and vote in presbytery meetings. A CLP must be an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Each presbytery determines the requirements for CLP instruction and preparation.
Spanish and English Certification Programs
The Spanish-, and English-speaking programs consist of ten, 10-hour courses (6 hours in the classroom and 4 hours of field work in the participant’s ministry context). Each course includes required readings, papers, and/or oral examinations. The curriculum concludes with a practicum, in which theology and the practice of ministry are evaluated.
Most courses are offered in weekend formats in the Harrington Center on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary.
Minimum Required Courses for the Spanish and English Certificate Programs
- Reformed Theology
- Presbyterian History and Polity
- The Sacraments: Theology and Practice
- Old Testament Survey and Interpretation
- New Testament Survey and Interpretation
- Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
- Introduction to New Church Development
- Evangelism
- Theological Reflection
- Practicum
More Information
Certificado en Español
Rev. Nelson Donado
404-209-0830
ndonado@yahoo.com
Korean Certification Program
The Korean certification program seeks to equip and prepare officers for ordination in the Korean-American Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This lay leadership program is for training newly elected candidates for elders and deacons for their ordination requirement. Korean participants attend 10 two-hour Monday evening classes at a designated church, beginning in September and ending in December (or, beginning in February, ending in April).
To receive the Korean certificate, each participant must attend the classes, complete a 10-hour project outside of class, and submit a final project report.
Minimum Required Courses for the Korean Certification Program
- Understanding the core values of the local church
- Church administration
- Pastoral leadership
- Stewardship
- Worship
- Presbyterian history
- Confessions of Presbyterian heritage
- Essence and mission of Korean-American Church
- Presbyterian polity
- Sharing dreams with the participant’s church pastor (based on submitted project report)
More Information
Rev. Paul Huh
404-687-4538
HuhP@CTSnet.edu
More information in Korean and English