Question. What is the School of Christian Ministry (SCM)?
Answer. The School of Christian Ministry is the continuing education program at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR).

Question. Are these “Baptist” courses?
Answer. Although many of the instructors and participants identify themselves as Baptist, SCM courses relate to the larger body of Christian churches.

Question. What kind of Baptist is BTSR?
Answer. Historic Baptist freedom is a hallmark of BTSR: freedom to question, freedom to discover, freedom to learn, and freedom to serve in Jesus’ name. BTSR is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, and the Alliance of Baptists.

Question. Who are SCM course instructors?
Answer. SCM instructors are women and men with extensive education and ministry experience in their field. They are pastors, church staff members, educators, chaplains, counselors, and consultants.

Question. Who enrolls in SCM courses?
Answer. People who are exploring a call to ministry and/or are seeking to be better equipped in an area of ministry. Lay leaders, church staff, pastors, faith-based non-profit staff and others participate in SCM courses.

Question. Can I earn academic credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree?
Answer. SCM courses do not convey academic credit toward a degree. You can earn CEUs or a Certificate of Congregational Leadership.

Question. Are CEUs available?
Answer. Yes. There is a $15 CEU fee.

Question. How much does a course cost?
Answer. Each online course is $125.

Question. Is financial aid available?
Answer. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board offers the “BGAV Nontraditional Ministry Education Scholarship” to cover up to 1/3 the cost of an SCM Course. Go to http://www.vbmb.org/scholarships/ to download the application. Scholarships are available only to Virginia Baptists.

Question. What are the eligibility requirements?
Answer. School of Christian Ministry courses are open to all without regard to educational background, denominational affiliation, or ministry role. 

Question. What is the application process?
Answer. No application is required. Simply complete the registration form (online or download the PDF file).

Question. What software do I need to participant in an online course?
Answer. You need an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. These are all free downloads from the Internet. You also need a reliable Internet connection.

Question. What computer skills do I need to participant in an online course?
Answer. You need to be able to browse the Internet, type (speed is not important), attach and download documents. Participants are enrolled in an online tutorial to help them become familiar with the online learning environment (Blackboard Course Management System).

Question. How long does a course last?
Answer. Each online course lasts for four weeks.

Question. What’s the work load of a course?
Answer. Five hours a week is a good estimate. The amount of time participants spend on a course each week varies substantially based on reading speed, depth of engagement in the online discussion, etc.

Question. Do I have to be online on specific days and times?
Answer. Participants have access to their courses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the four-week learning period. There are no set times to be online.

Question. What do participants say about their experience?
Answer. See SCM Participant Comments

Question. What will a certificate in Congregational Leadership do for me?
Answer. A certificate indicates that you have specialized training as a congregational leader that makes you particularly qualified for ministry. Some people plan to work professionally in local church ministry, but many use their newly acquired knowledge and skills to enhance their ministry and fulfill their calling as deacons or elders, small group leaders, committee or team leaders, Sunday School or Bible study teachers, children’s or youth workers, and so on.