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The Education for Lay
Ministry program, better known as ELM, began in 1998 as a joint
project of the Nebraska Conference United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska
through the ministry of the Cotner College Educational Ministries. In 2004, the Central and Homestead Presbyteries
of the Presbyterian Church (USA) joined and helped fund the program. ELM was established to provide quality
education for persons as they seek to prepare for ministry within the congregations of those traditions. The program
is a three-year course of study that can lead to licensed/certified lay ministry.
First Year
- Hebrew Scriptures: Approaches & Overview
- Christian Scriptures: Approaches & Overview
- Methods of Biblical Interpretation
- Theological & Ethical Perspectives
- Comparative Religions
- One of History, Polity & Theology Courses
Second Year
- Church History
- American Church History
- Mentor Student Retreat
- Education: Models, Theories & Skills
- Organizing for Local Church Activities
- One of History, Polity & Theology Courses
Third Year
- Pastoral Care
- Worship & Sacraments
- Preaching
- Parish Assessment & Planning
- One of History, Polity & Theology Courses
- Closing Retreat
- Graduation
The next class (ELM V) will begin with a Gathering Retreat**, August 18, 19, & 20, 2006 at Camp
Comeca near Cozad, NE, where there are excellent, adult-friendly accomodations. Student costs will be room,
board, and transportation. Books for the first course will be available for purchase. Books for succeeding courses
will be available at the second session of the previous course.
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First-Year Class Courses
- The Hebrew Scriptures: Overview & Approaches
September 22-23, 2006
October 20-21, 2006
- Christian Scriptures: Overview & Approaches
November 17-18, 2006
December 1-2, 2006
- Methods of Biblical Interpretation
January 12-13, 2007
February 16-17, 2007
- Theological & Ethical Perspectives
March 9-10, 2007
April 20-21, 2007
- Church History
May 18-19, 2007
June 8-9, 2007
- One of the History, Theology & Polity Coures*
4 days - July 2007
* Students are required to take all History, Theology & Polity courses.
Times & Places
- All courses (with the exception of the History, Theology & Polity courses) begin at 7:00 pm on Fridays
and end no later than 4:00 pm on Saturdays.
- Classes meet at Hastings College, Hastings, NE, unless otherwise stated in the final schedule
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Audit Courses
Any individual may attend and audit any or all of the courses offerd. Cost: $30 per course,
plus cost of books, overnight lodging, meals and transportation. Contact Sharon Shields at the Cotner office for
further information.
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To Pass Each Course
- Class attendance & participation are mandatory
- Each class will have a pre-course assignment, mid-course assignment, & a final paper or project
- Satisfactory completion of each course is determined by the professor
- Pass/Fail system -- there are no grades
Mentors
Students are required to have a mentor who is an ordained pastor, but not the pastor of the student's home congregation
or a family member. The mentor must be approved the ELM Staff and must be a UCC, Diciple, or Presbyterian. Students
and mentors meet together regularly for discussion and reflection and, at least once during the three years, are
expected to particpate together in a 24-hour retreat.**
Costs
- Each course is $50.00, payable one-half at each session
- Textbooks are offered at cost
- Students are responsible for over-night lodging, transportation, meals, and any other miscellaneous expenses
- Scholarship assistance may be available. Contact your judicatory representative
Enrollment
A student must:
- Be an active member of a local UCC, Disciples, or an elder in a Presbyterian (USA) church
- Submit a completed Student Application (form available from Cotner)
- Request of his/her pastor a written "Pastor's Recommendation" to be furnished directly to Cotner
by the pastor (form available from Cotner)
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**There are three retreats during the three year course of study
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