Christ College Certification Requirements
Christ College guides students interested in receiving certification for ministerial vocations in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
LCMS students pursuing such certification must apply for admission into a Christ College program and complete the academic preparation in their program. Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in all course work and a 2.8 cumulative GPA in required Christ College courses. Students must receive at least a C- in courses required for LCMS certification (including professional program and/or major). Those students successfully completing all requirements will receive a certificate along with a commemorative medallion from Christ College and will be considered for recommendation by the faculty for certification by the LCMS or for admission into a LCMS seminary.
CCI 001-008: Seminar in Ministry Taken each year during a semester not taking CCI 103, 203, 303, or 403. |
0.5 - 2 units |
CCI 103: Introduction to Ministry This course will explore Christian vocations including the possibility of full-time professional church work in the LCMS as pastor, teacher, director of Christian education, or director of parish music and examine these positions in the context of the church-at-large and local congregations. The professional and personal growth and formation of the future church worker will be described and fostered. |
1 unit |
CCI 203: Church Polity and Organizational Structure This course will explore the history of the LCMS and how that has affected the structure and governance of the church. The polity of the Synod in relation to its congregations will be studied so that students will view the structure of Synod, including its congregations, circuits, districts, and national office, as a system that enables the church to carry out its mission effectively. |
1 unit |
CCI 303: Teaching the Faith This course will explore the proper distinction of Law and Gospel and its application in Christian education and ministry through the study of faith development and classroom management being considered as applications of Law and Gospel along. Creation and evaluation of curricula, Bible studies, and other materials will also be seen as applications of Law and Gospel. |
1 unit |
CCI 403: The Role of the Christian Professional This course will prepare students for lives as full-time church work professionals through the study of topics that will enhance the personal and professional lives of the future church work professional: developing a family budget; personal and spiritual life of the called worker; the call process; income tax and social security; retirement and investment planning; and Christian professionalism and ethics. |
1 unit |
THL 201: History and Literature of the Old Testament An historical and literary survey course of the Old Testament, with an emphasis on theological themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life. |
3 units |
THL 202: History and Literature of the New Testament An historical and literary survey course of the New Testament, with an emphasis on theological themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life. |
3 units |
THL 304: History of the Christian Church This course will survey the origin and development of the Christian church through the examination of its political and cultural contexts and influences, with special consideration given to theological themes which surfaced at different times and places throughout the history of the Christian church, culminating with 21st century trends in fundamentalism, evangelicalism, and ecumenism. |
3 units |
THL 371: Christian Doctrine 1 An introductory course in systematic and confessional theology covering theological method, revelation and Scripture, Law and Gospel, the Triune God and His attributes, humanity and sin, and the person and work of Jesus Christ as the God/man, with an emphasis on key biblical material and its expression in the Lutheran Confessions. |
3 units |
THL 372: Christian Doctrine 2 An introductory course in systematic and confessional theology covering the work of Christ, the person and the work of the Holy Spirit, the church and eschatology, with an emphasis on key biblical materials and its expression in the Lutheran Confessions. Prerequisite: THL 371. |
3 units |
Questions?
For more information regarding Christ College's ministry programs or certification, please contact the Director of Ministerial Formation:
Prof. Robert Rossow
bob.rossow@cui.edu
(949) 214-3406