Co-Vocational Certificates

A pathway for those who feel called to step into greater ministry or leadership in their church but don’t feel adequately equipped.

The Certificates in Co-Vocational Ministry are designed to support those working co-vocationally and those who are interested in taking on more pastoral responsibilities within their home church. It is also designed for spiritually mature lay people who want to learn more about theology and pastoral ministry.

The certificate program is offered in two parts and meets the basic requirements of denominational credentialing bodies. The certificate is not intended to replace the degree pathway but to give just enough support to those working co-vocationally and those who are interested in taking on more pastoral responsibilities within their home churches.

The Basic Co-Vocational Certificate (Registration open!) includes Bible, theology, history, and pastoral theology over a 3-month duration (12 sessions)
The Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate (Registration open!) includes the biblical foundations of Co-Vocational ministry and practical topics in church leadership and spiritual well-being over a 3-4 month duration (12-16 sessions - depending on denominational add-ons).

Both certificates are taught live online by Briercrest Seminary faculty, one evening per week, so you can grow in your calling while staying rooted in your community.

Register for the Basic Co-Vocational Certificate Fall 2026!

register Here

Registration Now Open!

Basic Co-Vocational Certificate

Registration is now open for our upcoming Basic Co-Vocational Certificate.

September - November 2026

This certificate will help you serve where you’re called - equipping you to lead with confidence, faithfulness, and impact.

Registration Open!

Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate!

Registration is now open for our upcoming Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate!

January - March 2027

Admissions Requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for the Certificates in Co-Vocational Ministry.

Basic Co-Vocational Certificate

The Basic Co-Vocational Certificate includes Bible, theology, history, and pastoral theology. The evening sessions will be three hours and taught live and online by a Briercrest faculty member. If a student participates in 11 of 12 sessions, they will receive a certificate.

Details
Faculty

Details

Faculty

David Miller

Joel Houston

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Alan Guenther

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Blayne Banting

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Margaret Clarke

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Who

Those seeking foundational theological training while serving in their local church.

What

A structured Co-Vocational Certificate designed for accessible ministry training.

When

Courses run monthly with flexible scheduling for leaders balancing work and ministry.

Where

100% online through live Zoom sessions with Seminary instructors.

Why

To equip leaders with confidence, biblical grounding, and practical ministry skills.

Basic Certificate

September

Old Testament

Old Testament — introductory study of Scripture.

Old Testament

Old Testament — introductory study of Scripture.

New Testament

New Testament — introductory study of Scripture.

New Testament

New Testament — introductory study of Scripture.

October

Theology

Theology — exploring core Christian beliefs.

Theology

Theology — exploring core Christian beliefs.

Theology

Theology — exploring core Christian beliefs.

Theology

Theology — exploring core Christian beliefs.

November

History

History — key eras, movements, and leaders of the Church.

Preaching

Preaching — communicating Scripture effectively.

Pastoral Services

Pastoral Services — practical ministry and care.

Counselling

Counselling — supporting spiritual and emotional care.

Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate

The Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate includes the biblical foundations of CoVo ministry, and practical topics in church leadership and spiritual well-being. The evening sessions will be three hours and taught live and online by a Briercrest faculty member. If a student participates in 11 of 12 sessions, they will receive a certificate. Denominations will have an opportunity to add on a final week to provide specific teaching for their people.

Details

Faculty

Jason Mills

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Ellen Duffield

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Rebeca Heringer

Overview

Who

Those seeking foundational theological training while serving in their local church.

What

A structured Co-Vocational Certificate designed for accessible ministry training.

When

Courses run monthly with flexible scheduling for leaders balancing work and ministry.

Where

100% online through live Zoom sessions with Seminary instructors.

Why

To equip leaders with confidence, biblical grounding, and practical ministry skills.

Advanced Certificate

January

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in ministry and marketplace roles.

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in ministry and marketplace roles.

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in ministry and marketplace roles.

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in ministry and marketplace roles.

February

Leadership

Leadership — character, wisdom, and ministry guidance.

Leadership

Leadership — character, wisdom, and ministry guidance.

Leadership

Leadership — character, wisdom, and ministry guidance.

Leadership

Leadership — character, wisdom, and ministry guidance.

March

Pastoral Leadership

Pastoral Leadership — deeper ministry formation.

Pastoral Leadership

Pastoral Leadership — deeper ministry formation.

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in dual roles.

Co-Vo Leadership

Co-Vocational Leadership — serving in dual roles.

Optional Denomination Week

Denomination Week

Denomination Week — focused study in denominational practice.

Denomination Week

Denomination Week — focused study in denominational practice.

Denomination Week

Denomination Week — focused study in denominational practice.

Denomination Week

Denomination Week — focused study in denominational practice.

Basic Co-Vocational Certificate

Basic Co-Vocational Certificate Online | Session List

Month 1

Bible 1 – What Makes the New Testament Tick? The Earliest Gospel Message in the Letters of Paul
Bible 2 – The Earliest Gospel: The Story of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
Bible 3 – Reading the Old Testament 1: Narrative and Poetry
Bible 4 – Reading the Old Testament 2: Law and Prophecy

Month 2

Theo 1 – What is Theology? How, and why, do we do it?
Theo 2 – God and Creation
Theo 3 – Christ and Reconciliation
Theo 4 – Holy Spirit and Redemption

Month 3

History 1 – A high-level overview of church history from the post-apostolic age to the present.
Pastoral Theo 1 – How to craft and deliver a sermon.
Pastoral Theo 2 – The foundations of conducting weddings, funerals, baptisms, and communion services.
Pastoral Counselling 1 – The basics of pastoral counselling

Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate

Advanced Co-Vocational Certificate Online | Session List

Month 1

Co-Vo 1 – Biblical and theological foundations of Co-Vocational ministry
Co-Vo 2 – The Co-Vocational Church in Canada: current trends and realities
Co-Vo 3 – The Mission of the Co-Vocational Church
Co-Vo 4 – Equipping in the Co-Vocational Church

Month 2

Lead 1 – Working with Church Boards
Lead 2 – Strategic Planning as a Church
Lead 3 – Conflict Management
Lead 4 – Budgeting and Managing Finances as a Church

Month 3

Past 4 – Worship Planning and Leadership
Past 5 – Spiritual Formation: the theology and practice of growing in Christ
Co-Vo 5 – Time Management 101
Co-Vo 6 – Well-being: self- and family care in the midst of ministry demands

Month 4

Denom 1 – Denominational Specific Material
Denom 2 - Denominational Specific Material
Denom 3 - Denominational Specific Material
Denom 4 - Denominational Specific Material

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