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
Catherine Cole
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 Catherine Cole, Manager of Recruitment and Admissions 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 2021-2022
Full Year | One Semester | |
Tuition | $4,234* | $2,122 |
Fees | $334 | $167 |
Total | $4,577 | $2,289 |
*Seniors / Ministry Partners receive a 50% discount on full-time tuition.
Bursaries:
- All students (incoming and returning) are encouraged to apply for financial aid if they are not awarded an Entrance Scholarship.
- Amounts vary dependent on level of study and course load:
- Graduate full-time: $2,230 per year
- Graduate part-time: $225 per course
- Undergraduate full-time: $2,080 per year
- Undergraduate part-time: $225 per course
College Assistantships:
- Canadian and international students are welcome to apply for various College Assistantships for each academic year. Remuneration varies depending on the position.
Additional information on Scholarships and Bursaries and College Assistantships

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.