CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONKINGDOM LEARNINGMinisterial Formation & Credentialing
HSM Department of Christian Education · HSM Bible Institute · HSM Training Institute
Credential Program
Ministerial Formation & Credentialing
Formal ministerial preparation for licensing, ordination, pulpit service, vestments, ethics, doctrine, pastoral accountability, and supervised ministry.
Next Academic Term
2026-2027Fall 2026 Semester
Registration: May 1, 2026 – August 23, 2026
Classes: August 31, 2026 – December 18, 2026
Program Curriculum
Christian Conduct and Church Order
Biblical character, integrity, accountability, respect, confidentiality, discipline, and orderly service.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Ministerial Dress, Robes, and Clergy Attire
Purpose, dignity, modesty, robe and collar standards, colors, care, fitting, and appropriate use.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
How to Tie Ministry Neckwear
Step-by-step necktie, bow tie, clergy tab, and robe accessory preparation, including inspection and presentation.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Biblical Sermon Preparation and Exegesis
Text selection, context, observation, interpretation, sermon purpose, thesis, structure, illustration, application, invitation, manuscript, citations, revision, and rehearsal.
3 credits · 12 lessons
Individual tuition: $199.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Pastoral Care, Visitation, and Counseling
Prayer, hospital care, grief, crisis response, confidentiality, referrals, marriage preparation, and follow-up.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Deacon, Elder, and Trustee Formation
Qualifications, wards, care, governance, property, finance oversight, conflict, and reporting.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Pulpit Etiquette, Ministry Attire, and Service Leadership
Pulpit entry and exit, acknowledgments, Scripture reading, microphones, timing, posture, platform behavior, ministerial attire, robes, grooming, confidentiality, altar response, and emergency adjustments.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Ministerial Ethics and Accountability
Moral integrity, finances, relationships, authority, discipline, reporting, restoration, and legal responsibility.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Choir and Music Ministry
Worship theology, rehearsal order, vocal preparation, music selection, platform conduct, copyright awareness, and pastoral accountability.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Christian Funeral, Memorial, and Graveside Ministry Practicum
Biblical hope, grief sensitivity, family intake, funeral-home coordination, obituary and program review, Scripture and music, homily preparation, service types, graveside committal, emergencies, repast, follow-up, and recorded mock funeral.
3 credits · 14 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Christian Wedding Ministry and Ceremony Practicum
Biblical marriage, couple intake, premarital meetings, legal readiness, ceremony writing, rehearsals, traditional and contemporary formats, blended families, vow renewals, cultural elements, emergencies, documentation, and recorded mock wedding.
3 credits · 14 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Pastoral Ministry Formation
Preaching, care, governance, discipline, leadership, administration, weddings, funerals, ordinances, and pastoral health.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Holy Communion: Theology, Preparation, and Administration
The Last Supper, remembrance, covenant, self-examination, unity, element preparation, sanitation, service order, home and hospital Communion, and supervised demonstration.
3 credits · 10 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Sermon Delivery and Pulpit Communication
Voice, pace, pronunciation, eye contact, posture, movement, microphone use, timing, emotional discipline, invitation, camera delivery, and instructor-reviewed sermon video.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Biblical Prayer, Public Prayer, and Pastoral Intercession
Invocation, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, pastoral prayer, altar prayer, wedding and funeral prayer, Communion prayer, emergency prayer, confidentiality, timing, and recorded practice.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Ministerial Licensing: Calling, Qualifications, Levels, and Ceremony
Calling, character, doctrine, church authority, license levels, authorized duties, limitations, renewal, discipline, ceremony order, credential records, and recorded mock licensing service.
3 credits · 10 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Church Officers, Ministers, Elders, and Ordination
Biblical offices, servant leadership, authority and limits, ministers and elders, examinations, ordination councils, laying on of hands, charges, credentials, continuing accountability, and recorded mock ordination service.
3 credits · 12 lessons
Individual tuition: $199.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Servant Leadership, Teamwork, and Church Operations
Calling, character, teamwork, meeting order, responsibility, communication, records, volunteers, boundaries, accountability, and ministry problem solving.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $249.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Pastoral Care, Trauma Awareness, and Referral
Presence, listening, grief, crisis, trauma awareness, boundaries, confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional referral.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Chaplaincy Foundations
Institutional ministry, hospitals, corrections, military and community settings, plural environments, ethics, records, and care.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $49.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Principles of Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics)
Foundational methods for observing, interpreting, and applying Scripture with attention to context, genre, authorial purpose, biblical theology, and responsible application.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $249.00
Pastoral Calling, Character, and Servant Leadership
A distinct Heaven Sent Train Institute course in pastoral vocation, character, family stewardship, servant leadership, accountability, and spiritual care.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Pastoral Care, Counseling, Visitation, and Crisis Ministry
A distinct Heaven Sent Train Institute course in pastoral listening, hospital and home visitation, grief, crisis response, referral, confidentiality, and follow-up.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Volunteer Coordination & Team Building
Recruiting, screening, onboarding, scheduling, motivating, communicating with, and retaining volunteers across church and community ministries.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Preaching Preparation, Biblical Sermons, and Pulpit Conduct
A distinct Heaven Sent Train Institute course in sermon preparation, textual faithfulness, structure, delivery, altar response, pulpit order, and ethical proclamation.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Public Speaking & Effective Communication
Foundational oral communication skills including audience analysis, speech organization, vocal delivery, nonverbal communication, supporting evidence, and confident presentation.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Christian Leadership, Organizational Ethics, and Administration
Leadership and organizational administration emphasizing ethics, governance, accountability, strategic decision-making, culture, stewardship, and responsible authority.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Emotional Intelligence & Conflict Resolution
Development of self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, listening, difficult-conversation skills, mediation basics, and constructive conflict response.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Mental Health Awareness, Crisis Recognition, and Referral for Ministry Leaders
Faculty-supervised awareness course helping ministry leaders recognize signs of distress or crisis, respond supportively within role boundaries, use emergency procedures, and refer to qualified professionals.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Organizational Culture and Leading Through Change
Graduate study of organizational culture, systems thinking, change leadership, stakeholder analysis, resistance, communication, implementation, and evaluation.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Christian Ethics and Cultural Engagement
A distinct Heaven Sent Train Institute course in biblical ethics, conscience, public witness, conflict, technology, sexuality, justice, truth, civil responsibility, and pastoral accountability.
3 credits · 8 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Executive Leadership Coaching & Mentorship Models
Faculty-supervised doctoral practicum in executive coaching, mentoring frameworks, ethical boundaries, goal design, observation, logged practice, feedback, and outcome evaluation.
3 credits · 6 lessons
Individual tuition: $79.00
Included in this program package tuition.
Instruction
Approved lessons, readings, instructor checkpoints, discussions, assignments, and assessments.
Formation
Prayer, Christian character, church participation, supervised ministry practice, and service learning.
Credential
Official transcript and HSM credential after all academic and ministry requirements are approved.