Rhema Minister's Training Program

Program overview:

This program is designed to offer lay church leaders and members an opportunity to gain personal knowledge and skills in the areas of Bible, Theology, Christian Education, Evangelism, and Counseling with the intent of developing more effective leadership and teaching in the local church context.  Believers gain a firm understanding of the fundamentals necessary in ministry, evangelism, church planting, and missions.  Extensive field education and practical application are part of the overall program.  36 continuing education hours

Recognition of Prior Learning

Rhema is committed to the recognition of minister training candidates’ prior learning and experience.  We provide advanced standing in courses for competencies already held by students whether gained by previous study, work experience or life experience. Further information is available as each course begins. 

Application and registration

The program is designed to be completed in 12 months.  Registration for the 2012 session is open and classes begin January 3, 2012 in Albany, GA and January 7, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.  The non-refundable application fee is $50/person.  Tuition is $595 and a convenient payment plan is available.  Students on the easy pay plan pay $115/month on or before the fifteenth of the month beginning January through June 2012.  The online course enrollment key and directions for access are issued during orientation.

Total cost:

Application fee $50 Registration deadline December 30, 2011

Tuition  $595 due by December 15, 2011 Payment plan available

Easy pay $115/month due on or before the 15th of the month January – June 2012*

Graduation fee $100 due by November 1, 2012

Total $745.00  All fees are non-refundable.

*Easy pay plan includes a $15 service fee

See textbook information list on pp. 4, 5

Leaders get out in front and stay there by raising the standards by which they judge themselves—and by which they are willing to be judged.  - Frederick W. Smith, American founder 1971, chairman of the board, & CEO of FedEx

Online

All you need is an internet connection and an email address.  You will submit weekly assignments (answering 3 reflection questions), a weekly quiz, and paper, comment on the work of your fellow students, and receive feedback from your professor online; you can easily do your work on your own time.

On Campus

A Rhema classroom is an interactive learning environment.  The class is limited to 15 participants and the collaboration between your cohort and approachable instructors ensure your success.  Classes meet twice a month for one year. 

"But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be

witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  Acts 1:8

Prerequisites: Students must hold a high school diploma or general education equivalent by the graduation date.  We will hold a GED Preparation course in July.  The tuition is $35/person.  You must be able to speak, read, and write well enough to perform the responsibilities of a minister.  Students must be available to complete 135 hours of on the job training between June and December 2012.  Students must accumulate at least 135 hours of experience working in an approved ministry during this time.

It is recommended that students have good basic academic skills or enroll in basic skills courses to work on improving their reading, writing, and math skills. Before taking the online courses, students should be confident about computer (Microsoft Office:  Word) and study skills. Students will need access to a computer, email, and the Internet five out of seven days a week.  Internet access through a JavaScript enabled web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or higher, etc.) is necessary.

Class Attendance:  In order to successfully complete minister’s training requirements; candidates must arrive on time and attend the full class period.  Students may not text or receive phone calls during the class period.  Calls should be answered during the break period.  Two incidents of tardiness will equal one absence.  Tardiness is defined as: (1) not arriving at or before 8:25 a.m. or (2) returning late from break or (3) early departures.  Candidates should allow 5 minutes to settle in and prepare for class to begin.  Candidates are encouraged not to miss a class.  No more than two absences are allowed, and then only if an emergency situation warrants it.  Please call the instructor at 678.557.8684 to let me know if you have an emergency.  If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to find out from your colleagues what we did in class; what readings and exercises were accomplished in class; and what the homework assignment is.  Students with three absences or more will not graduate with the cohort (class group).  They may attend the missed class periods (in their entirety) the following year and graduate with that cohort.  Failure to submit an online assignment on time will count as one absence.  Students must be responsible for adhering to the due dates of each assignment listed in the syllabus. Grades are determined using the formula in the syllabus. Any late assignment earns a 10-point deduction per hour for every hour it is late. Deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  Online assignments must be submitted on time regardless of computer problems.

Withdrawals: A student may withdraw her/himself at any time prior to the “last day to withdraw” which is 10 business days prior to the beginning of the session.  Non-attendance, ceasing to attend class, or informing the instructor of your intention to withdraw does not constitute a withdrawal.  A written letter informing the instructor why you are withdrawing is required. 

Incompletes: An incomplete means that there are extenuating circumstances which have prevented you from completing the class within the indicated time-frame. An “I” will be given upon the request of the student only if at least 50% of course and lab work has been completed in a satisfactory manner.  You will then have a limited amount of time to complete the course requirements. An automatic F results when the course is not completed as agreed upon.  There are no make-up or extra credit assignments.

Professional behavior:in all respects is expected. You are in a professional ministerial training program designed to train you to become a leader in the body of Christ. Courtesy and respect should be shown toward colleagues and the instructor. In this class students are expected to use proper web course Netiquette (a word that is a combination of Internet and etiquette). This means that the students in this class will be courteous and use common sense while posting or emailing assignments or projects. If a student violates the netiquette code, he/she may be removed from the class.

The following web etiquette procedures apply for all students:

1. Submit your own work (postings, attachments, assignments). Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade. Be sure to give credit to your source.

2. Avoid typing in all caps. In this class, typing in caps means that you‘re screaming or shouting.

3. Avoid inserting pictures or colors to your postings or attachments unless the professor requires it. This increases the size of the file, and it is too difficult for some students to open large files.

4. Treat the Discussion Forum as a serious communication tool. Post data that is relevant to the item up for discussion.

5. Post directly to the Discussion Forum. Do not submit attachments to the Discussion Forum (unless requested by the instructor). Attachments are only used for submitting assignments to the professor.

6. Read the syllabus several times in order to determine due dates for all readings, assignments, quizzes, and weekly wrap ups.

7. Check emails often for updates, changes and clarifications.

8. Complete all assignments by the due dates.

9. Complete all assignments regardless of computer problems.  Try the public library if you have problems.

Work Standards: Any work not turned in or presented on the designated day will not be accepted. Any written work must be typed in at least a 12 point font, proofread [spelling and word usage errors will negatively affect the project grade] double-spaced, well-written, and neat. All work is expected on the specified date and time.  Sources must be cited in all assignments using the APA (American Psychological Association) style.  Please refer to the Purdue Online Writing Laboratory for further information.  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Disability statement: Rhema is committed to the equal and excellent education of all candidates including students with disabilities. In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, “otherwise qualified” students with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to certain reasonable accommodations intended to ensure equal access to higher education. All students requiring accommodations must provide appropriate documentation of their disability that supports the need for the requested accommodations.   Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of orientation or as soon as possible.

Student Assessment: Students are assessed using the following methods:

·      Competency based multiple choice questions

·      Open-ended essay questions

·      Student activity and/or observations with written feedback

·      End of Course quizzes in multiple choice format – Students must pass each quiz with a grade of 70% or better to complete the course.

·      Cumulative Final Exam in multiple choice formats – Students must pass with a grade of 70% or better to complete the certificate program.

·      Attending the one year hybrid program (24 on-site classes and 48 online classes)

·      Completing the three month practicum- --students complete 135 hours on the job training.

·      Making three on campus presentations with visual aids

·      Students submit an electronic portfolio (consists of resume, papers, sermons, and presentations) in order to demonstrate competency

Here are some ways we evaluate spiritual growth outcomes:

  Formal evaluation tools--written tests, oral tests, essays, homework assignments

  Self-report evaluation tools--surveys, inventories, profiles

  Conversation and dialogue--language used, reasoning skills, foundational worldview expressed and interactive engagement

  Observable behavior or perspectives--attendance, volunteerism, invitations, donations, professed beliefs, memorized beliefs, physical condition, body language

  Inferences from choices--character of friends, media preferences, spending habits, social activism, attire, appearance, etc.

“A mind stretched by a new idea can never go back to its original dimensions.”  Oliver Windell Holmes Jr.

Honor Policy:  Academic integrity is maintained through the Honor System. The Honor System imposes on each student the responsibility for his or her own honest deportme

Reach your potential and

make an eternal impact.