2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

CHURCH PROFESSIONS
An Interdisciplinary Program

Programs offered:

• Certificate Program in Church Professions
• Major in Business/Long-Term Care Administration as a Church Profession
• Major in Education with a Christian Day-School Teacher Concentration
• Major in Music for Music Ministry/Church Music Directors
• Major in Religion for Christian Education Directors
• Major in Religion for Family Ministry
• Major in Religion for Youth Ministry
• Preseminary Preparation for Ordained Parish Pastors
• Preprofessional Preparation for Parish Nursing and Social Work
• Certificate Program for Social Work Majors interested in Church Professions

Church Professions Course Descriptions 

Concordia offers many courses that provide initial preparation for individuals desiring to work in church leadership positions including congregations, church-related schools, youth ministry programs, social ministry organizations, hospitals, and agencies providing long-term health care. Through Concordia’s church professions program, students can explore different types of ministry settings and determine the setting that best matches their skills and interests. Curriculum revision is underway as the church professions program becomes incorporated in Concordia’s new Institute for Faith and Public Life. Major goals of the Institute include exploring callings for responsible participation in God’s world and a vision of vocation as faith active in love of others. Many church professionals receive training at the master’s level. Concordia courses prepare students to pursue study at that level. Individuals desiring to serve as ordained ministers or as ELCA associates in ministry should note the suggestions for preparation listed below. Other individuals work in church positions with a bachelor’s degree.

The church professions program is designed for these individuals and involves the following:

• an introductory course that provides students with an opportunity to explore a church profession
• a major and a minor combining religion and selected professional fields
• a supervised internship or practicum
• a capstone course that challenges students to reflect on their practicum experience

All students considering professional positions in the church are advised to contact their church offices to determine the specific requirements for employment, certification, or ordination in their denomination.

For further information on religion course offerings and concentration requirements, please see the religion pages of the catalog. Similarly, for other majors listed here, consult those particular department pages.

Preparation toward Certification as an ELCA Associate in Ministry

An Associate In Ministry (AIM) is a lay professional who is certified by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for leadership in one of a number of different areas of service, such as Christian day-school teacher, director of Christian education, director of youth ministry and minister of music. Individuals may apply for certification only after receiving a bachelor’s degree and completing one year of successful, supervised field experience in their specialty area. The ELCA requires an individual to have five credits in courses focused on the Christian/Lutheran tradition including Bible, theology, confessions, and church history. Individuals anticipating certification as an associate in ministry can apply course work at Concordia to these requirements. Students from other denominations may find comparable requirements and opportunities.

Major in Healthcare Management  (long-term care administration) as a Church Profession

Many long-term care facilities have church ownership or affiliation, and they seek administrators who are committed to the mission of a church- related organization. Through the business, accounting and economics department, Concordia students can pursue a major that prepares them for a career as an administrator in a long-term care facility. Concordia’s program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators.

The church professions program for long-term care administration requires:

• a major in healthcare management (long-term care administration)
• a minor in religion
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• BUS 492 — Practicum in Long-Term Care, 1.0 credit

Major in Education for Christian Day-School Teachers

A major in education for Christian day-school teachers prepares students for careers in the ELCA’s 141 elementary and secondary schools serving more than 30,000 students nationwide. Schools seek certified teachers who, in addition to their professional preparation, have studied religion at the college level, particularly courses in Bible and theology.

For students participating in the Church Professions Christian Day-School Teacher program, the preparations include:

• a major in education
• a minor in religion
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• an education practicum

Major in Music for Music Ministry/Church Music Directors

The major in music for music ministry and/or church music directors meets congregations’ needs for musicians who are knowledgeable about appropriate church music and who can develop musical talent within the local community. Music education with a choral emphasis, particularly if it includes organ, is an excellent preparation for music ministry. Graduate study is encouraged.

The Church Professions program in Music Ministry requires:

• a major in music
• a minor in religion
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• CHPR 490 — Internship, 1.0 credit

Major in Religion for Christian Education Directors

Many congregations employ individuals to direct Christian education programs that serve children, youth and adults.

For students participating in the Church Professions Christian Education Director program, preparations include:

• a religion major
• completion of the six-course Church Professions distribution (see listings below)
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• CHPR 490 — Internship, 1.0 credit

Major in Religion for Family Ministry

Congregations, outdoor ministry groups and other faith-based agencies are seeking individuals who understand family issues and are prepared to provide programs for families and their members.

For students participating in the Church Professions program for Family Ministry, preparation includes:

• a major in religion
• a minor in child and family studies (parent and family education program) OR the six-course church professions distribution (see listings below)
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 490 — Church Professions Internship, 1.0 credit OR  CFS 490 — Practicum in Parent Education, 1.0 credit

Major in Religion for Youth Ministry

The major in religion for youth ministry prepares students to become directors of youth ministry and other ministries for children and teens. Many congregations and camps are seeking leaders for youth ministry programs.

For students participating in the Church Professions program for Youth Ministry, preparation includes:

• a major in religion
• a minor in psychology OR  the six-course church professions distribution (see listings below) OR  a minor in child and family studies • CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 490 — Internship, 1.0 credit
• Students who minor in psychology or child and family studies are also required to take:
–  EDUC 350 — The Art and Science of Teaching, 0.5 credit
–  EDUC 351 — The Ecology of the Educational Setting, 0.5 credit

Church Professions Distribution for Youth Ministry and Family Ministry tracks:

The distribution requirements are 6.0 course credits in the following categories:

Teaching:
• EDUC 351 — The Ecology of the Educational Setting, 0.5 credit
• 2.0 course credits from:
–  EDUC 210 - Foundations in K-12 Education, 0.5 credit
–  EDUC 322 — Children’s Literature, 0.5 credit
–  EDUC 350 — The Art and Science of Teaching, 0.5 credit
–  EDUC 374 — Young Adult Literature, 0.5 credit
–  CFS 378 — Methods of Teaching in Family and Nutrition Sciences, 0.5 credit
–  CFS 454 — Methods of Teaching Parenting, 0.5 credit
–  COM 314 — Small-Group Interaction, 1.0 credit
–  CFS 389 — Adult Education, 0.5 credit

Family:
• 1.0 course credit from:
–  SOC 231 — Sociology of Families, 1.0 credit
–  CFS 220 — Family Systems, 1.0 credit
–  CFS 412 — Multicultural Families, 1.0 credit
–  PSYC 357 — Abnormal Psychology, 1.0 credit

Child/Development:
• PSYC 206 — Developmental Psychology, 1.0 credit OR CFS 236 — Child Development, 1.0 credit

Social Systems:
• S WK 386 — Church Social Work and Social Ministry, 1.0 credit OR  PSYC 351 — Social Psychology, 1.0 credit

Preseminary Preparation for Ordained Parish Pastors

Concordia has a long and distinguished history of graduates who go on to seminary. In fact, more ELCA pastors in the United States have received their undergraduate education at Concordia than at any other college or university. While seminaries do not require a specific major, they prefer students with a liberal arts background. They encourage a religion major or minor or at least some religion courses. Some seminaries require courses in Greek and philosophy (both of which are offered at Concordia) as prerequisites.

Preprofessional Preparation in Parish Nursing

Many congregations across the country are adding parish nurses to their professional church staff. The parish nurse serves the congregation as a health educator, health counselor, referral source, coordinator of volunteers and as an integrator of faith and health issues. Though the parish nurse certification is available only to individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing, undergraduate students anticipating parish nursing can gain initial exposure and preparation through the church professions
program.

This involves:
• a major in nursing
• a minor in religion
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• a nursing practicum (see graduate program in nursing for options)

Certificate Program for Social Work Majors interested in Church Professions

There is a clear need for licensed social workers who understand the values of and are committed to working within church-related social ministry organizations and institutions. The church professions program assists individuals as they begin preparing for work in such locations while they are completing a baccalaureate degree or completing requirements for social work licensure.

The Church Professions Social Worker Certificate program requires:

• a major in social work
• a minor in religion
• CHPR 110 — Introduction to Church Professions, 1.0 credit
• CHPR 380 — Capstone course, 1.0 credit (permanent course number to be assigned)
• S WK 490 — Practicum in Social Work, 2.0 credits

Social Ministry Organization and Faith Community Leadership

Faith communities are major providers of social services in our society and world. Concordia attracts many students who go on to assume leadership positions in faith-based service institutions. Social ministry organizations and the several related areas including health care management and long- term care, Christian day-school teachers, music ministry, Christian education directors, family and youth ministry, parish nursing and church social work are always looking for leaders equipped with many diverse skills to take on ever-growing challenges and needs. At this time, Concordia has yet to develop a dedicated concentration in social ministry organization and faith community leadership. However, students interested in this area of church professions are encouraged to work with the church professions coordinator to develop a plan of study that meets student concerns and goals.