MENTORED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

MAP PROGRAM AND ORDINATION STANDARDS

Changes to the EPC’s Book of Government and the Uniform Procedures on Candidacy and Ordination was adopted during the 35th General Assembly. Among them were the specification that candidates for ordination must complete a Master of Divinity degree (or its equivalent for candidates under extraordinary status) from an accredited seminary approved by the presbytery. In addition, the EPC now requires candidates to have completed certain courses. In addition to prescribed courses in Old Testament, New Testament, theology, and church history, students must complete the following eight courses: apologetics, leadership, preaching, evangelism, missiology, discipleship/disciplemaking, pastoral care and counseling, and ethics.

These eight courses are made available through the MAP program. Each EPC requirement corresponds to a Gordon-Conwell course:

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MAP COURSE FEATURES

MAP courses offered through GCTS are a blend of theory and practice. The courses are developed in collaboration between GCTS faculty and the EPC. Some courses have been modified to meet the needs of the denomination, while others have been developed specifically for the MAP program. There are at least three key figures that students will interact with during a MAP course:

1: Course Developer. The Course Developer is the GCTS faculty member responsible for the content of the course. This individual crafted the syllabus, selected the readings, presented the lectures, etc. When possible, students will have an opportunity to interact with the Course Developer as called for within the parameters of each course.
2: Course Instructor. The Course Instructor is selected by the EPC and approved as an Adjunct Instructor by Gordon-Conwell. The Course Instructor will oversee all grading and will grade and provide feedback on the majority of the work in the course.  Students will have an opportunity to interact with the Course Instructor at least once during the semester via video conference.
3: Local Pastor/Mentor. The Local Pastor/Mentor selected by the student and approved by the MAP Program Director. This individual will meet with the student according to a regular schedule to discuss course content and applications to ministry, as well as the student’s progress in completing the hands-on project for the course. The Local Pastor/Mentor may have limited grading responsibilities for smaller assignments as authorized by the Course Instructor.

Although the course uses a web-based interface for lectures, assignments, etc., MAP courses are not classified as online courses. The courses are taught locally by the Course Instructor and Local Pastor/Mentors.  

In addition to expected readings, lecture viewing, written assignments, etc., each course has a graded, practical hands-on ministry project that the student completes in their local context, usually their local church. The project is selected by the student at the beginning of the course, and generally should be completed within the timeframe of the semester. The project will be overseen by both the Course Instructor and Local Pastor/Mentor.

Students from seminaries other than GCTS should verify the transferability of all MAP courses with their home seminary before registering and trying to transfer the course. 

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MENTORED MINISTRY OPTION

All MAP courses are three credit hours. Students have the option to complete a one-credit hour Mentored Ministry rotation. This must be registered at the same time as the MAP course and completed within the timeframe. Gordon-Conwell MDiv students are required to complete three Mentored Ministry rotations during their program. Students from other seminaries should verify transferability with their home seminary before registering and trying to transfer the course. For more information, see the Mentored Ministry Addendum in the syllabus.

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REDUCED COST

In keeping with the EPC’s goal of reducing the cost of education for ministers in training, for all MAP courses and Mentored Ministry rotations, GCTS will charge a transcription fee of one-half the current Charlotte campus per-hour rate. In addition to the per-course transcription fee, there is a mandatory $175 student services and technology fee per semester.

For those officially auditing the course, there is a $150 fee in addition to the $175 student services and technology fee. EPC students who already have an MDiv but are missing any of the MAP courses may take those courses without credit or transcript for a fee of $110, and without also in­curring the $150 student services and technology fee.  

All fees must be paid in full upon registration and are non-refundable. For visiting students from other seminaries, students should verify transferability with their home seminary before registering for a course. If your seminary requires submission of materials (course description, syllabus, rationale, etc.), contact Douglas Price at dprice1@gordonconwell.edu to obtain the documentation required by your school.

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FOR GCTS (AND PROSPECTIVE GCTS) STUDENTS

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has produced a special MDiv checksheet for EPC students that is designed to meet the Uniform Procedures on Candidacy and Ordination. However, students should still check with their local presbytery to ensure they are on track. For a copy of the checksheet and/or to opt-in, students should contact Deana Nail at dnail@gordonconwell.edu.

GCTS students can pay for MAP courses through the full-tuition scholarship Partnership Program. If you are already part of the program, contact Douglas Price at dprice1@gordonconwell.edu for registration procedures. If you are not part of the program already, click on the Partnership Program link above. The program, which is open to all GCTS students, makes it possible to graduate from seminary debt-free.

For students interested in transferring to GCTS from another school to complete their MDiv degree should contact Douglas Price at dprice1@gordonconwell.edu for more information.

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MAP PROGRAM CONTACTS

Kent Mathews, EPC Contact
kentmathews@sbcglobal.net
785-418-1635

Douglas Price, GCTS Contact
dprice1@gordonconwell.edu
704-527-9909

Deana Nail, GCTS Contact
Dean of Students, GCTS CharlotteCampus
dnail@gordonconwell.edu
704-527-9909

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