Certificate in Lay Leadership
The Certificate in Lay Leadership (CLL) is a non-credit program that allows you to take courses and deepen your faith through academic learning without feeling the pressure of being a for-credit student. The courses offered for this certificate will help you build on your theological knowledge and give you relevant skills for serving in tomorrow’s church – no matter what that looks like.
At completion, the Certificate is awarded by Acadia Divinity College at our annual Commissioning Service.
Contact
Dr. Benjamin MacDonald
Number of Courses: 10
Length of Program: 1 year*
Course Load Options: Full-time (3 or more courses per semester**) and part-time (1-2 courses per semester)
*based on a full-time course load of 10 courses per year
**five courses per semester is a normal full-time course load
For information on approval by the CBAC’s Board of Ministerial Standards and Education (BMSE) to take the Certificate in Lay Leadership, please see the CBAC’s “Regulations Concerning the Ministry, Sections 4 and 5-Recognized Lay Leader” at http://baptist-atlantic.ca/download/20117. Individuals can contact Andrew Myers, the CBAC’s Assistant to the Director of Leadership Development, for further information and for an application to apply to the BMSE. An individual must be a member of a CBAC church and hold a Church License to Minister from that church in order to meet with the BMSE. They must receive approval from the BMSE to take the Certificate in Lay Leadership.
After being approved by the BMSE to take the Certificate in Lay Leadership, individuals should contact Benjamin MacDonald, Manager of Recruitment at Acadia Divinity College, to receive instructions on how to enroll in the Certificate program. They should also supply a copy of their letter of approval from the BMSE.
A pass in every course is required to earn a completion certificate. Bachelor’s-level course expectations may be adjusted for the student’s capacity by the professor in consultation with the student, and all courses will be marked on a pass/fail basis. Courses taken in this program are not transferable to a degree program.
Full Time 2022-2023
Full Year | One Semester | |
Tuition | $4,370* | $2,185 |
Fees | $334 | $167 |
Total | $4,704 | $2,352 |
*Seniors (60+) / Qualified Ministry Partners receive a 50% discount on full-time tuition.
Visit our Tuition & Fees page to view part-time amounts.
This non-credit program is offered at a discounted amount, therefore there is no additional financial assistance offered internally.

Program Overview
Course Number | Course Name |
---|---|
IDTH 2010 | Orientation (Pass/Fail) |
Biblical Studies | |
BIBL 2023 | Survey of the Bible |
BIBL 2013 | Interpreting the Bible |
Christian Thought | |
THEO 3013 | Christian Theology 1 |
THEO 3023 | Christian Theology 2 |
Ministry Electives – Choose 3 | |
EVAN 3013 | Evangelism and Mission in Contemporary Society |
EVAN 3023 | Bringing Renewal to Established Congregations |
SPFM 3013 | Christian Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders |
PAST 3053 | Preaching as a Practice and the Practice of Preaching |
DISP 3013 | Transformational Discipleship Ministry |
NXGN 3013 OR NXGN 3063 | Youth and Family Ministry OR Children’s Ministry |
- Students with no post-secondary education who are under 55 years of age and who are seeking ordination should enrol in the Bachelor of Theology program. Those over 55 years of age who are seeking ordination should enrol in the Certificate of Ministerial Studies.