The Christian Communications Ministry Institute helps church people—pastors, ministry coordinators, volunteers and full-time religion communicators—hone skills for the modern information age. The goal is to help Christians tell stories of their churches and ministries more effectively. Instruction is designed for people with little or no formal background in mass communication or United Methodist studies. But experienced church communicators have taken classes as part of their continuing education.
Begun in 2004, the institute is a joint effort of the Cal Turner Jr. Center for Church Leadership and the United Methodist Committee on Certification in Christian Communication (click here to visit the certification page). Completing four communication and two United Methodist studies classes through the institute will meet the minimum educational requirements for Certification in Christian Communication (link to certification page) in The United Methodist Church. But classes are open to anyone—regardless of faith group—who wants to become a more effective communicator.
The institute offers four courses each year. Students may enroll in up to three. Classes involve both online and in-person instruction. Students begin work each May. They complete online assignments and participate in online discussions before one week of in-resident instruction each July on the Martin Methodist College campus. They continue with online work after the on-campus session through January. Communication core courses carry 3 units of continuing education credit. United Methodist studies and communication issue courses carry 1.5 units of continuing education credit.
Read about Cal Turner Jr. Center for Church Leadership at Martin Methodist College in the September-October 2007 issue of Interpreter, the official ministry magazine for the people of The United Methodist Church. The Center for Church Leadership is featured in a story about how congregations and churches are working together to strengthen lay leadership. You may read the story on-line at http://www.interpretermagazine.org/interior.asp?ptid=43&mid=12312.
This issue of Interpreter focuses technology-based ministry. You'll be inspired by the stories of churches and faith communities using "high-tech" to create "high-touch" communities of caring. Another feature looks at ways to make your church Web site accessible.
Learn, too, how United Methodist colleges are cooperating with churches and annual conferences to enhance lay leadership and how lay speakers serve throughout The United Methodist Church. As always, enjoy reading the popular "It Worked for Us" and "IdeaMart" departments as well as the new "Leadership Link" and "Lighter Fare" pages.
Refocused and redesigned Interpreter serves lay leaders -- those who serve by role as well as position -- and clergy with inspiration and information to connect leaders and potential leaders across the denomination with God, with each other and with ideas and resources.
Check out Interpreter On-line at www.interpretermagazine.org. Then order your personal subscription by calling United Methodist Communications at 888-346-3862.
