Certifications

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Parish Ministry Assistant

This training will take place in a local classroom situation on a regional basis and will be taught by pastors/teachers qualified to teach the subjects for which they have been selected. This program is available for everyone who has at least a high-school education. The parish ministry assistant will work under the direction of his/her pastor in a local congregation. Requirements are courses 1 through 8 listed in this brochure.

Deacon

To be certified as a deacon, additional course work is required, and a six-month mentoring program would be completed under the supervision of an ordained pastor. In addition to courses 1 through 8 required for parish ministry assistant, the male deacon applicant is required to take two additional courses: Worship and Homiletics . The male deacon applicant may be certified upon request of a congregation following a personal interview by the district president or his designee. The deacon may participate in consecration of the elements of Holy Communion, preaching, and teaching under the supervision of an ordained pastor.