How to Learn a Ministry Online
Becoming a minister requires commitment and dedication. Some ministers serve as church pastors, while others serve as missionaries, youth ministers and even Christian education directors. In today's busy world, it can be difficult for those who feel compelled to serve as ministers to actually find the time, or money, to attend seminary classes. Because of the increased availability of education and training programs online, though, it is possible to gain the knowledge you need to serve as a minister.
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Obtain an online bachelor's degree. Most professional ministers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in an area related to the type of ministry they hope to provide. In many cases, churches will require that you have a master's degree as well. Some schools associated with various areas of Christian ministry now offer online bachelor's degrees in biblical studies. Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies degree completion program that can be taken entirely online. Regent University, in Virginia Beach, offers several different programs of study at both the associate and bachelor's degree levels online. The area of study you pursue at the undergraduate level does not have to directly correspond to the ministry area you intend to enter.
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Pursue the master of divinity or a similar degree. Master of arts degrees in the areas of Christian education, theological studies or even biblical studies can all be routes to a career as a minister. Online master's degrees in these areas tend to be more common than the divinity degree, simply because the divinity degree often requires a practical component or field work that doesn't always lend itself readily to online education. Potential schools for online ministerial studies at the graduate level, in addition to Moody and Regent, include: Bethany Theological Seminary, in Richmond, Indiana; Luther Seminary, in St. Paul, Minnesota; United Theological Seminary, in Dayton, Ohio;and Baptist Bible Seminary, in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
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Take courses as part of a certificate program or as standalone courses. Some schools offer you the opportunity to learn how to serve in Christian ministry without necessarily having to pursue a full-fledged degree program. Schools not accredited by agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education should be avoided. Schools like New York Theological Seminary offer certificate programs that allow you to explore your ministerial goals by taking a few classes each semester for two years. These types of programs will not provide you with any type of degree, but they can introduce you to Christian ministry.
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Consider non-Christian avenues to ministry. Not all ministers come directly from the mainstream Christian tradition, and there are schools that offer classes online that allow you learn some of the practical aspects of non-Christian ministry. For example, Universal Life Church offers interested would-be ministers an opportunity to pursue ordination and other credentials in areas such as spiritual development, Buddhism, Wicca, Christianity and Druidism.
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