Pathways Online Courses

The Five Foundational Courses

  • Biblical Interpretation –
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • This course has as its primary goal the equipping of Christian leaders to interpret biblical texts faithfully. The course provides an overview of the ways in which the church has approached the work of biblical interpretation and then offers a practical guide for close reading of passages.
  • Reformed Theology – 
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of and appreciation for the Reformed theological tradition in which the PC(USA) is rooted. The course will explore the central tenets of the Reformed tradition, its contemporary significance for the life of the church, and its relationship to the broader ecclesial and social contexts.
  • Church History – More info here.
    • Led by Dr. Christine Luckritz Marquis, on Tuesdays, April 22 – May 20, 2025, from 7-9 pm ET.
    • This course is designed to provide an overview of and an appreciation for the history of Christian traditions, the broader contexts in which they are developed, and their continued significance for the life of the church. Participants will study select crucial historical moments (e.g., early Christian movements, church councils, Reformation, Christianity in America).
  • The Christian Life – 
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • This course is designed to provide knowledge of Protestant perspectives on the Christian life. Participants will explore biblical and theological foundations that shape an understanding of the Christian life. Reflection on focused experiences of spiritual practices will engage students in critical analysis of their own spiritual lives and nurture opportunities for congregational ministry and leadership. Through assignments, online discussion, and class lectures, participants will engage in vital components of the Christian life.
  • Mission & Evangelism – More info here. 
    • Led by Rev. Dr. Aram Feinberg, on Mondays, April 28 – June 2, 2025, from 7-9 pm ET. (Asynchronous only on May 26)
    • The overarching goal of this course is to develop a contextual framework to understand mission and evangelism. Students will re-imagine the contours of mission and the task of evangelism, involving a theologically based approach to mission and evangelism and considering the impact of the growing demographic of the “unaffiliated” (or Spiritual But Not Religious) across the religious landscape of America. Students will examine an approach to mission and evangelism that addresses the needs of society, reflecting ways in which a local church continues its commitment to the gospel message (love God and love neighbor) and to the great commission (go and make disciples).

The Five Practical Ministry Courses

  • Polity and Administration – 
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • This course will examine the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order, its underpinnings, and its implication for mission and ministry. As part of the course, participants will review administrative tasks which grow out of the Book of Order (e.g., session meetings, committee meetings, stewardship season, personnel matters and policies, financial matters, presbytery meetings, annual statistical reports).
  • Teaching the Bible – 
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • This interdisciplinary course examines selected approaches to Bible teaching from the perspectives of biblical scholarship and Christian education. The purpose of this course is to equip participants to develop planning, implementation, and evaluation skills for teaching the Bible.
  • Worship and Sacraments – More info here.
    • Led by Rev. Dr. Donna Giver-Johnston & Rev. Dr. Diane Walton Hendricks, on Thursdays, May 1 – June 5, 2025, from 7-9 pm ET. (Asynchronous only on May 29)
    • This course will examine the history, theology, and practice of worship and sacraments. While rooted in the reformed tradition, the goal is to deepen appreciation for a variety of worship services and liturgical practices. Through reflections on readings and discussions of observed liturgical rituals, the course will seek to cultivate enlivened worship leadership practices and their theological impact within the particular ecclesial context for each person. At the end of the course, participants will be equipped and inspired to craft and lead worship that is lifegiving for them and their worshiping congregation.
  • Introduction to Pastoral Care – 
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • An introduction to the theories of pastoral care and counseling. The course offers various theological and psychological perspectives and tools to help participants develop confidence in responding to circumstances of pastoral care and counseling in the context of parish ministry and other institutional settings. Topics include the art of listening, loss and grief, pastoral care with couples and families, and the pastoral function of worship and the sacraments.
  • Preaching –
    • 2025-2026 dates coming soon.
    • In this course, students will be introduced to the theology and practice of preaching. They will focus on exercises in the art and craft of preaching faithful sermons that are biblical, contextual, theological, intentional, and embodied. By developing, delivering, and receiving feedback on a sermon preached in its context, this course will provide students with the tools to help them become the preachers God has called them to be.

FAQs

What’s the difference between Pathways courses and CE (Christian Educator) courses? 

  • You may notice that some Pathways courses and CE courses have the same name (e.g., Biblical Interpretation, Worship & Sacraments)
  • The difference is the CE Biblical Interpretation helps prepare Christian Educators and PW helps prepare participants become Commissioned Ruling Elders/Commissioned Lay Pastors 

How long is the program?

  • You can take our ten Pathways courses over any period of time. Typically the Leadership Institute offers each course once per academic year.

Do I have to take the five foundational courses before I can start the practical ministry courses?

  • You can take our Pathways courses in any order, over any period of time.

When will I receive my certificate of completion?

  • Upon completion of each course, you will receive a course certificate of completion. Upon completion of all ten Pathways courses, you will receive a certificate of completion for the Pathways Online Course Program.
  • The program certificate of completion is NOT the same as CRE/CLP certification. Each presbytery has different requirements to become a CRE or CLP. If you are preparing to become a CRE or CLP, make sure to check with your presbytery about their requirements.

Can I audit a course?

  • The Leadership Institute does not offer auditing options.

Do you offer any discounts or financial aid?

  • Contact Deborah Keyes if you are in need of a discount or financial aid, subject line “PW: financial aid”
  • UPSem students and faculty can register for pathways online courses for free. If you are a UPSem student or faculty member and would like to register for a Pathways Online Course, please use this link to register.