Western Seminary

Welcome to the Western Seminary Center for Leadership Development!

Several years ago a group of Western Seminary faculty and staff started a conversation about the needs of the local church. They talked about the hundreds of thousands of lay leaders who serve as elders, deacons, small group leaders, and directors of ministries for men, women, students, and children. They reflected, too, on the many bi-vocational pastors who often minister in rural communities or in smaller churches with diminished access to financial and educational resources. Their concern was heightened because of all that God has entrusted to Western – technological savvy, innovative staff, seasoned faculty, and a history of effective ministry training.

That concern became action. In the past year, Western leaders have met with a broad cross-section of pastors and lay leaders from around the nation to identify the most critically-important training needs of the church. We have been overwhelmed by the common call for high-quality, affordable and theologically-sound resources that could, in whole or in part, help local churches train current and future ministry leaders.

The result, the Western Seminary Center for Leadership Development, represents a vital partnership between the seminary, the local church and BiblicalTraining.org that exists to provide a broad range of biblical, theological, and ministerial training resources to those seeking to be better equipped for ministry.

Training Certificates

Western Seminary and BiblicalTraining are now developing a variety of 10 – 35 instructional-hour training certificates that will afford lay leaders the opportunity to engage learning deeply yet without the often-significant obligations of formal academic study. Upon completion of each certificate learners receive a Certificate of Completion from Western Seminary and BiblicalTraining.org to reflect their accomplishment.

Current Certificate Programs

Foundations in Biblical Studies

Dr. Paul House and Dr. Craig Blomberg. 21 hours of instruction; $40.

This certificate includes an Old Testament Survey class by Dr. Paul House and a New Testament Survey class by Dr. Craig Blomberg. It will give you a feel for the basic structure of whole Bible, trace its basic themes, and cover its most basic content.

Foundations in Theological Studies

Dr. Gary Thomas, Dr. Marc Cortez, Dr. Todd Miles, Dr. Bruce Ware. 25 hours of instruction; $50.

All Christians have been commissioned by Christ to be His agents of hope in the world. As ministry leaders we share an even greater responsibility to share the Good News of God to men and women who desperately need to come into personal relationship with Him. But can we be truly effective in our 21st century context lacking a biblical understanding of the gospel message?

Christians in the Marketplace

Dr. Gerry Breshears, Kent Humphreys. 10 hours; $25.

Many people spend far more time in the workplace than they do in the church. How do they represent Christ in this critical mission field? How do business leaders apply biblical principles to their leadership and interaction with others in the marketplace in such a way that Christ is glorified and men and women are born into the Kingdom of God?

Elder Training

Dr. John Johnson, Greg Rohlinger, Mark Olmos, Bert Downs, David Jones, Bob Radcliffe. 25 hours; $95.

The role of the elder is critical to the health and ministry of the local church. In our newest certificate, experienced church leaders share helpful insights that will benefit every senior church leader. Learn from pastors John Johnson, Greg Rohlinger and Mark Olmos, ministry leaders Bert Downs and David Jones, and educator Bob Radcliffe as they help you establish the foundations that will serve you well in your service to Christ and the local church.

In the Pipeline

Western Seminary and Biblical Training are currently developing a wide range of resources that will soon be available for our certificate programs. These include:

Advanced Biblical Studies Certificate
Advanced Theological Studies Certificate
Becoming a Global Christian Certificate
Women’s Ministry Certificate

If you have questions or would like to know when new courses and certificates come online, email James Stewart. If you have a specific course or interest in mind, please include that information in the body of your email.