WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE IN CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION?

The Certificate in Church Administration and Management from Hood Theological Seminary is a nonacademic credit program for both newcomers and experienced professionals to build knowledge of key tools in church management and administration. Students will receive a certificate from Hood Theological Seminary as continuing education upon completion on the program. Students will be required to complete a capstone/summary paper upon completion of the program to demonstrate course proficiency.

HOW DOES THE CHURCH MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM WORK?

The certificate series consists of twelve 90-minute webinars or modules, designed to help pastors, lay members, and leadership of all religious denominations. Participants access each webinar through our online platform and can ask questions and share insights with the instructor.

WHO IS THIS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR?

This program was designed for clergy and lay leaders who are in pastoral or administrative roles and who are interested in building knowledge about strategic, managerial, and financial aspects of the church.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?

There are 12 monthly webinars or modules. The cost is $99.99 per webinar or module.

WHY HOOD?

Hood Theological Seminary is a graduate and professional school sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E. Zion), approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church, and dedicated to the education and preparation of men and women for leadership in the various ministries and vocations of the Christian church.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CERTIFICATE IN CHURCH MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION:

This certificate will provide students with an understanding of the following:
1. How to effectively lead people and deal with change in the church.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of church practice, organizational behavior and structure.
3. Display an understanding of financial management, budgeting and financial reporting.
4. Understand the nuances of human resources and personnel management
5. Understand how to advance your ministry through progressive marketing and communication strategies including social media, social media marketing, websites, media coverage, public relations for the church and understanding the customer-focused relationships with the church and community.
6. Develop an understanding of fundraising and development-annual giving, major gifts, foundation giving, grant-writing, corporate giving, and planned gifts.
7. Construct three, five and ten-year strategic plans.
8. Create an economic development program in the church and gain an understanding of social entrepreneurship.
9. Effectively understand and use information technology in the church.
10. Display several appropriate ways to connect the church to the community.
11. Utilize security, safety, and facilities management in the church through operations management.
12. Understand common legal issues in the church and tax-related concerns.

MODULES ONE THROUGH TWELVE

Leading People and Change in the Church
Demonstrate an understanding of the mainstreams of organizational thought. Exhibit an understanding of the role of theory in effective educational practice, especially organizational theory. Demonstrate an understanding of systems theory and organizational behavior. Display a working knowledge and the ability to apply various decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution techniques applicable to organizations. Describe the concept of change and the salient components that leaders need to contend with to be effective in fulfilling their responsibilities for organizational performance improvement. Show increased understanding of organizational culture and organizational climate. 

Church Practice: Organizational Behavior and Structure
Church as a system; group processes; organizational processes; shared problem solving and decision-making; change management; team building; conflict management; utilizing advisory councils; roles of communication and social skills; conducting meetings; and communication networks. 

Financial Management, Budgeting and Reporting
Financial and managerial accounting; understanding financial statements; controls over accounting and financial reporting processes; budgeting, performance measurement, and relevant cost analysis

Human Resource and People in a Ministry Setting
Roles and functions within the structure of the organization employee compensation and benefits; developing job descriptions; establishing performance goals; evaluating and rewarding performance; employee recruitment and training; background checks; human resource policies regarding grievances and appeals.

Marketing and Communications in the Church
How to advance your ministry through progressive marketing and communication strategies including social media, social media marketing, websites, media coverage, public relations for the church and understanding the church and community as a customer. Market planning and strategic marketing.

Fundraising Management, Development, and Grants in the Church
Presenting the stewardship message; factors affecting individuals' decision to contribute time or money to their church; volunteer recruitment, training, performance appraisal, and retention. Develop an understanding of fundraising and development-annual giving, major gifts, foundation giving, grant-writing, corporate giving, and planned gifts.

Strategic Management and Planning in the Church
Identifying complex problems; organizing, structuring, analyzing pertinent information; formulating and evaluating alternative actions and prescribing specific programs; vision and mission statements; goals and objectives; appreciative inquiry; program and project planning.

Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship in the Church
Create an economic development program in the church such as job training program, childcare centers, food banks, literacy programs, and small business support platforms. Discover social entrepreneurship opportunities such as coffee shops, community gardens, and artisan workshops.

Information Technology in the Church
Spreadsheets and databases; information ethics and security; managing information technology; information systems development; managing IT-related organizational change; use of local area networks; evaluating computer hardware and software; creating and maintaining web sites, and communication networks.

Connecting the Church to the community
Display several appropriate ways to connect the church to the community including outreach with the local government, community programs such as community gardens, childcare programs, tutoring, SAT/ACT training, literacy programs, homeless programs, healthcare prevention programs, and organize events in different parts of the community.

Operations, Security, Safety, and Facilities Management in the Church
Security, loss prevention and threat management for safeguarding people, property and assets; proactive loss prevention methods for loss issues such as protecting finances; why and how people steal and embezzle; threat assessment, workplace violence prevention; physical security protection.

Legal Issues and Taxes in the Church 
Common civil law issues (e.g., labor law, liability law, contract law); church law, and common tax issues in the church and nonprofits.

Church Management: Career Connections

• Specific job options include:
• Senior pastor, pastor, or priest
• Associate minister
• Youth pastor
• Outreach minister
• Nonprofit manager