Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary

NEXT Church, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, and Metro Industrial Areas Foundation are teamed up to offer a Certificate in Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership.

This certificate program consists of a one-week intensive in-person training followed by a 6-month distance learning cohort to integrate the training into your work. The in-person training took place October 23-27, 2017 in Baltimore, MD, with the distance learning occurring one to two times per month from November – April (exact dates still to be scheduled). The program is open to clergy, laypeople, community leaders, seminarians, and others interested in organizing and community engagement. Participants must be 21 years old or older to register.

The program aims to:

  • teach clergy and lay leaders to apply the basic universals and disciplines of community organizing ​to their ministry contexts.
  • provide tools for those engaged in the work of congregational transformation,​ new church development, and ​neighborhood/organizational revitalization.
  • guide participants in theological reflection about systemic change.
  • spark leaders’ imaginations in the effective use of technology as an organizing tool.
  • nurture participants as they establish for themselves new patterns of leadership.
  • connect leaders to an established support network.

The total cost of the program is $750.00 plus travel, room, and board. The $70.00 registration fee will be applied to the total program cost. All available scholarships have been awarded.

For more information, please visit the NEXT Church website  or the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary

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