How Learning Works
Study. Practice. Receive feedback.
The first Foundations cohort meets on Zoom every Monday, January 4–February 22, 2027, from 7:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). Joining details are provided in the enrolled-student calendar. Each week includes a one-hour facilitated session plus independent passage study, applied work, and reflection.
Your weekly work
Prepare one passage study and one practical assignment, then complete the knowledge check. Additional case exercises are rehearsal options, not extra graded submissions. Use feedback to improve your work. Live facilitation and written lessons are the teaching format. Recordings are not required or promised.
Build a portfolio
Keep your passage studies, ministry exercises and plans together. Use feedback to revise your work. The leadership and church health tracks conclude with a practical development plan.
Show what you can do
Assessment considers biblical reasoning, use of evidence, practical design and respectful communication. Knowledge checks contain two written questions worth five points each: biblical accuracy (2), reasoning and application (2), and clarity (1). Passing is 75%, with up to three attempts and instructor review. Track weighting is knowledge checks 15%, passage studies 20%, practical work 30%, and capstone 35%. Track completion requires at least 75% overall, every knowledge check passed, all required work graded, and essential practical care and consent demonstrated.
Learn responsibly
Use fictional cases in class. Keep private pastoral information out of assignments. Participation in prayer exercises is voluntary. Successful completion leads to a certificate of completion and an opportunity to be considered for ordination or affirmation when the individual’s calling is discerned through a separate review. These outcomes are not automatic.
Feedback timing
The instructor aims to provide feedback on written assignments within seven calendar days of submission. Use that feedback to revise your work when requested.
Apostle Eric L. Jones, together with a ministry council, conducts the discernment review for ordination or affirmation.
Earlier review for experienced ministers
Experienced ministers may request an ordination or affirmation discernment review before completing all four tracks. Apostle Eric L. Jones and the ministry council evaluate each request individually. An earlier review does not guarantee ordination or affirmation and does not itself waive coursework or certificate requirements.
Earlier-review requirements
- A summary of ministry experience.
- Two ministry references.
- An interview with Apostle Jones and the ministry council.
These materials support the discernment process and do not guarantee ordination or affirmation. Submission instructions will be provided when the review process opens.
Discernment-review fee: There is no separate fee for an ordination or affirmation discernment review, including an earlier review requested by an experienced minister. A review does not guarantee ordination or affirmation.
Your assignment calendar
Weekly first submissions are due the Sunday after class. The capstone is due March 7, 2027, with written revisions due March 21 and final permitted quiz attempts by March 28. Completion review is targeted for April 5, subject to every requirement and any approved extensions. All deadlines use Pacific Time, including daylight saving time after March 14.
Read the complete assignment calendar · Student expectations and support
Prepare for your first week
Read the getting-started guide for class preparation, coursework, and support. Browse common questions about tuition and participation.