CHRISTIAN DEACON CERTIFICATION (CDC)

INTRODUCTION

The job of the helps minister is to free the hands of pastors to do the work that God has called them to do. The Church of God by Faith deacons and deaconesses are uniquely poised to meet that end. In Acts:6 great conflict affected the early church regarding the daily ministration of food to the elderly and widows. When the matter was brought to the Apostles, they launched the deacon’s ministry to meet those needs.

PROGRAM GOALS

This program was specifically designed to inspire and train ministry helpers through the office of deaconship.  Students are required to complete a 36-credit hour program of courses specifically designed to train and certify deacons/deaconesses in the Church of God by Faith.  While this certification is not required to serve, it provides the requisite training to assure that  graduates will make an impact on the ministries they serve. 
 
ONLINE INSTRUCTION
Live; online instructions. Requires computer and basic computer skills.  Students from all over the country will login to quality instruction by a well-trained instructor.

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS

The church is changing in incredible ways.  Everyone in leadership must pursue innovative strategies to reach this present age.  Students will gain a clearer understanding of the many federal, state and local laws and become experts at protecting church assets.  Those who have technological weaknesses will finally get the help they need in a community of likeminded learners.  For the first time in the history of the COGBF, deacons are offered a comprehensive degree in the ministry of deaconship.  

HOW TO ENROLL
To enroll, students must first enroll in CTI by paying your $35.00 Application Fee and completing the Online Application
 
TUITION COSTS
Tuition information can be found here.

Christian Deacon Certification Courses

ABS501 Advanced Biblical Studies is a comprehensive study of The Good Book, which offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps students understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible. This class is for pastors, ministers and leaders who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.
 
CAD101 Church Administration I is the first of a two-part course which helps deacons, pastors and church staff become effective and efficient leaders, managers, and administrators. Among the topics discussed are: Administration Documents, Organizing the Church, Administering Personnel Resources, Financial Resources, Physical Resources, and Administering Risk Management.
 
 
CAD201 Church Administration II is the second of a two-part course which helps deacons, pastors and church staff become effective and efficient leaders, managers, and administrators. Among the topics discussed are: Administration Documents, Organizing the Church, Administering Personnel Resources, Financial Resources, Physical Resources, and Administering Risk Management.
 
DEC101 Introduction to Deaconship studies the foundational principles and practices of Deaconship in the Church of God by Faith, Inc. Students will use the Church of God by Faith Deacon’s Manual to learn the best practices of deacons’ ministries around the faith community. 
 
DOC201 Church of God by Faith Doctrine and Practices provides students with an in-debt study of the Ritual of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn about the COGBF Articles of Faith, Constitution, leadership structure, leadership authority, leadership prohibitions and reporting structure of the COGBF. Students will also learn to perform a variety of different ministerial ceremonies.
 
CFI101 Introduction to Church Finance focuses on two broad issues related to church finance.  The first half of the course offers tax and financial advice to churches and nonprofit organizations; issues of financial accountability, receiving and maintaining tax-exempt status, accounting for charitable gifts. The second half of the course focuses on electronic bookkeeping for churches using QuickBooks or Quicken. The goal is to walk leaders through electronic bookkeeping for churches from start to finish.
 
 
LDR101 Introduction to Leadership provides an introduction to the various leadership styles and their effectiveness and/ ineffectiveness in leading God’s people. Recognizing one’s leadership style will provide insight to the results obtained in ministry, at home, and in the community of which the leader serves. The course material will focus primarily on God’s plan for Kingdom Leaders.

HIS101 History of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. teaches students about the key leaders in the COGBF including the founders, bishops and many other important members of the church. Students will learn the history of COGBF conventions, key ministries and auxiliaries while understanding the formulation of specific districts and churches.

GIS101 COGBF Governing Instrument Studies Part I was specifically developed to train students on the official governing policies of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn ministry policies and procedures in this first part of a two part series.
 
GIS102: COGBF Governing Instrument Studies Part II was specifically developed to train students on the official governing policies of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn ministry policies and procedures in this second part of a two part series.
 
PCF501- Understanding Pastoral and Church Finance – This course delivers current strategies to assist pastors and leaders better understand their personal and church finances. This course reviews current laws, tax structure and rules on housing allowances and other write-offs. It helps pastors prepare for financial security and teaches them how to run successful capital campaigns. Students will become financially literate and be inspired to embrace financial freedom.
 
TAM301 The Art of Godly Marriage If you are married, single, or divorce, this course is for you. The authors of the book wrote: “Most of us have no greater desire and prayer than a lifetime of love and commitment to one person with whom we can share life. Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. It is the mystery of living as one flesh with another human being (Ephesians 5:31-32). Marriage is first and foremost about love. It is bound together by the care, need companionship, and values of two people, which can overcome hurt, immaturity, and selfishness to form something better than what each person alone can produce. Love is at the heart of marriage, as it is at the heart of God himself (1 John 4:16).
 
CONTINUING ED: CTM101 Church Technology Management: This course teaches ByFaith leaders the basics of church websites, streaming, social media and church audio. Students with learn the basics of how to help their churches use technology more effectively.
 
In addition to the courses listed above, all certificate-seeking students must take the appropriate Examining Board class the summer before your graduation.