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Become a Student

Learn how you can become a student at MTS by requesting information from the Admissions Department.
Certificate in Cumberland Presbyterian Studies
This two-module certificate program is designed for Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) ministers and lay leaders who desire to gain increased knowledge of Cumberland Presbyterian history, theology and polity; learn the skills and knowledge of our CP heritage; and wish to be better equipped to preserve and strengthen the distinctive CP presence in an increasingly multi-faith world. The program seeks to serve the global CP Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA). Persons who participate in this certificate program will develop both a theological perspective and skills to become more effective leaders at the local, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly levels. Each participant who completes the two-module program will be certified as an instructor in Cumberland Presbyterian Studies. Participants may earn up to 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This certificate program envisions the training of at least one person from each presbytery in the CPC and the CPCA. After receiving the training, the individual will have the expertise to teach others. Each presbytery is urged to send at least one leader to participate in the program.

Students from each Presbytery

This certificate program envisions the training of at least one person from each presbytery in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. After receiving the training, the individual will have the expertise to teach others in the presbytery. Each presbytery is urged to consider sending at least one leader to participate in the program.
Program Features
  • Utilizing the cohort learning model, 25-30 students complete the program together in one year.
  • The teaching style will be interactive rather than straight lectures, more pragmatic rather than purely academic.
  • Practitioners from across the world Cumberland Presbyterian family will develop a learning community in which they can learn from each other’s wealth of experience.
In this module, students will focus on the historical development of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches, dating from their origins to the present. The module will also focus on the beliefs and doctrine of the denominations. Also, this module will focus on the organization, government and administration of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches at all levels of the church with a particular focus on its constitution, rules of discipline, rules of order, directory for worship, Digest and other resources.
  • In this module, students will focus on an advanced study of Cumberland Presbyterian Polity, leadership development, and the program agencies of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
  • Students in the program will invest approximately 110 hours of work in addition to the two intensives. Following each module, students will have final projects. Readings from one’s home location will be required during the interim between the two modules.
Cost:
• Tuition is $1,000 for the program. • Travel, food and lodging costs will be required for each of the modules (10 days each).
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Stan Wood Memphis Theological Seminary (901-334-5828) rswood@memphisseminary.eduRev. Chuck Brown Cumberland Presbyterian Center (901-276-4572, Ext. 235) crb@cumberland.org