School of Ministry

In partnership with Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

In Partnership With

ENROLLMENT IS CLOSED. PLEASE CHECK BACK APRIL 2025 FOR HOW YOU CAN REGISTER.

We are seeking to equip biblical leaders with a growing knowledge of God’s Word that is useful for ministry impact both inside and outside the walls of the church. This ministry will provide graduate level theological training for staff and lay leaders of The Compass Church. In partnership with Trinity Evangelical Divinity School [TEDS] we are providing an inexpensive opportunity to develop your ministry skills and further pursue God’s calling on your life. Our desire is to invest in both staff and laity, believing the knowledge gained from this certification program will better equip you both at Compass and wherever God’s calling takes you.

Certificate Options

TEDS certificate programs help you strengthen your ministry skills within a specific area and equip you theologically to shepherd the flock under your care. TEDS world-class faculty will not only provide instruction but also personally interact with you throughout your program.

Coursework will be completed individually, with TEDS professors providing structure, teaching, grading, and assistance.

For the Fall 2025 certification options, check back April 2025.

Fall 2024, Compass participants had three certification options to choose from.

Certification in Children & Family Ministry Certification in Organizational Leadership Certification in Biblical and Theological Studies

Gain a deeper understanding of spiritual formation, stewarding a ministry team, curriculum building, church leadership and administration, roles of family in spiritual development and intergenerational, family, and children’s ministry care. This certificate will equip you to serve children and families in the local church and ministry contexts.

Sample Schedule
Fall A 2024: Small Group Ministry
Fall B 2024: Educational Ministry
Spring A 2025: Teaching & Learning
Spring B 2025: Nurturing Families
Summer A 2025: Intergenerational Ministry
Summer B 2025: Spiritual Formation within the Family

Gain a deeper understanding of leadership practices and enhance your leadership skills in church, ministry or marketplace settings. By specializing in church leadership or executive leadership, you’ll be better equipped to lead teams in your area of focus.

Sample Schedule
Fall A 2024: Program Planning Dynamics
Fall B 2024: Christian Formation & Journey
Spring A 2025: Teaching & Learning
Spring B 2025: Building Ministry Teams
Summer A 2025: Christian Leadership
Summer B 2025: Developing Healthy Spiritual Leaders

Gain a solid foundation of theology and biblical interpretation with classes focused on church history, systematic theology, New Testament, and Old Testament. This certificate is a building block for the MA in Theological Studies degree, for those interested.

Sample Schedule
Fall A 2024: Intro to Biblical Theology
Fall B 2024: Spiritual Formation for Ministry
Spring A 2025: Evangelism & the Local Church
Spring B 2025: Christian Faith & Contemporary Challenges
Summer A 2025: Intro to the New Testament 1
Summer B 2025: Intro to the New Testament 2

FAQs

How Does The Cohort Work?

The goal of receiving a certificate is a more likely outcome when you have friends and associates alongside you. With that in mind, our cohorts will be a source of connection and encouragement to help you throughout this twelve month program.

Each cohort will have a Compass staff liaison. They are not responsible for your success or your ability to graduate. The cohort liaison will provide some administrative support to keep the cohort engaged, both relationally and organizationally.

During each 8-week class, your cohort will meet with the professor as part of the assigned coursework. This enables the cohort to further assist each other with the implementation of our theological training.

What Is The Cost And Commitment?

To complete a certificate through TEDS requires six courses for a total of 12 credits. TEDS provides one of the most affordable online seminaries at just $335 per credit hour. By joining a Compass cohort, that is cut in half, resulting in students paying only $167 per credit hour. For $2,000 you can achieve a graduate-level certificate from a reputable, accredited seminary. Tuition prices listed are for the 2024-2025 school year and may change for 2025-2026. Please check back in April 2025 for the latest updates.

We are looking for committed Compass congregants to take advantage of our School of Ministry, whether you are pondering a call to vocational ministry or desire to strengthen your theological acumen. This includes men and women of various stages of life including business professionals, stay-at-home parents, young adults, retirees, and others.

Participants will commit to one full year. Students will complete one class at a time with a total of six classes to graduate.

Each class is eight weeks long. And participants can expect 8-10 hours of coursework each week.

How Do I Apply?

Participating in our School of Ministry partnership with TEDS requires two steps.

You must first apply, and be accepted, through TEDS. Click the button below to get started.
Applicants should then contact our office at schoolofministry@thecompass.net to join a Compass cohort.

For questions on the 2025-2026 school year please reach out to schoolofministry@thecompass.net.

Deadline to apply: Check back April 2025.

To be eligible for our School of Ministry, students must have graduated high school and be actively involved at The Compass Church.