Certificate Program
Certificate in Lifelong Christian Formation
A program of Forma and Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS)
Grow your competency as a formation professional in the Episcopal Church through well-rounded learning opportunities that shape resilient leaders who thrive in ministry.
The certificate program is offered over the course of an academic year with courses taught by both VTS professors and practitioners in the field. The content will reflect formation across the whole lifespan with the flexibility to tailor learning to your specific ministry context and growth areas. Learning happens in community, and so our courses will be a mixture of online asynchronous and synchronous work as well as an onsite residency at VTS.
Application Details
Tuition: $2,500
Payment plans available upon request.
Tuition does not include residency travel but does include accommodations on campus and meals. Participants are encouraged to seek funding support from continuing education, discretionary funds, and diocesan resources.
Application Information:
Application deadline is May 1, 2024.
Acceptance decisions will be made by June 1, 2024.
Application Requirements: Resume, Personal Statement, Endorsement from Supervisor
For questions about the Certificate Program contact: Sarah Bentley Allred, Coordinator of Forma Evangelism
Frequently Asked Questions
Sarah Bentley Allred, Samantha Clare, and Wallace Benton address frequently asked questions.
Program Design
The Certificate in Lifelong Christian Formation runs concurrent with the academic year, beginning in August and concluding in June.
Participants can expect the time commitment over the course of the program to include:
- 1 week in person at residency
- synchronous online gatherings at beginning and end of program
- 2 hours a week engagement with asynchronous material
- 5 meetings with mentor
- 5 meetings with Spiritual Director
Synchronous Gathering Online
Participants will gather online for orientation and regular opportunities to seek support along the way.
Residency
Participants will travel to VTS for a 4 day intensive residency: building community, learning from VTS faculty, and beginning the formation journey with deep and meaningful engagement of foundational materials. In Person Residency Dates: September 30 – October 5, 2024
Asynchronous Self-Directed Learning
Participants will engage in a series of topical modules following a learning plan tailored to suit their context and growth areas. See the topic listing below.
Mentorship
Participants will be paired with a mentor in the field of formation who will work with them over a series of five meetings to develop vocational goals and address areas of growth in their own ministry.
Spiritual Direction
Participants will be paired with a spiritual director who will companion them through the certificate program over a series of five meetings.
Individual Project
Participants will design and implement a project to address a real-life ministry issue or growth area in their context, applying learning from areas of study across the modules.
Planned Program Development
Forma is committed to accessibility, diversity, and transparency. Concurrent with the pilot offering, we plan to continue program development so that the certificate can be offered in a fully online or as a regional program with the hope of making the program more accessible. If the current format doesn’t meet your needs please stay in touch for future iterations that might work for you.