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Updated Interfaith Minister Training ProgramKEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE AS WE WILL CONTINUE TO POST UPDATES TO THIS PROGRAM HERE AS THEY BECOME FINALIZED. The Updated Interfaith Minister Training Program, as of September 21, 2007, is still in the updating and rewriting phase and will not be available until after the new year. This new course will be a requirement for those wishing to be ordained through United Interfaith Ministries. Just like the current course, completing the Interfaith Minister Training Program does not guarantee ordination through United Interfaith Ministries, however it is a required step in the ordination process. Ordination through United Interfaith Ministries will require the same criteria as our current program does. At this point it looks like that we will have 25 required courses and there will be 10 electives that the student can choose to help make their training as unique as both they are. Of course these numbers are changing all the time. We will publish a list of the new courses and electives here once we finalize the new program's requirements and validate textbook availability.
Length of Training
At this point, it looks like the training program will be 30 months, but individuals will have as much time as they need to complete all the requirements.
Individual Tracts of Study
We realize that most students have a personal religion/spirituality that normally acts as a basis for their counseling and ministry. This background belief tends to become a source for inspiration and examples during counseling or problem solving sessions. As such, we are developing distinct interfaith "paths" or tracks of study which helps focus the interfaith minister training to reflect the needs of the student on a more personal level. The Tracts are as follows:
Judaistic Path - This program of study consists of courses that reflect the needs of a minister who relates examples and problems to sources of inspiration found in the Torah. an example of a course unique to this path is The Qaballah,
Christian Path - This program of study consists of courses that reflect the needs of a minister who relates examples and problems to sources of inspiration found in the Bible. Examples of courses unique to this path of study include: Psalms, and Comparing the Gospels.
Pagan Path - This program of study consists of courses that reflect the European Pagan Traditions including Wicca, Druidry, and Asatru. Examples of courses unique to this path of study include: Pagan Spiritual Herbalism, Fairy Lore, Healing Spellwork.
Shamanistic Path - This program of study consists of courses that reflect the tribal "wise-man/wise-woman" in ancient and modern tribal based cultures represented by Native American Indians, Native African and South Americans, and Australian Aborigines. Examples of courses unique to this path of study include: Shamanic Soul-Retrieval, Shamanic Journeying, Earth Medicines.
We expect additional tracts to become available as additional elective course are created.
Tuition
Tuition will be based on the courses taken. Each course will have a tuition that will be based on required textbooks and their printing costs. Right now, we are looking at courses costing between $25.00 US to $50.00 US.
Required Textbooks For Interfaith Minister Certification
Right now, all textbooks will be included in the course tuition. We have contracted with a local publishing company to produce the books for the least amount of expense so as to keep the tuition as low as possible.
Along with the required textbooks, we also recommend purchasing a copy of Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions (ISBN# 0877790442). Though not required for the program, this book is an invaluable reference for those pursuing an Interfaith calling.
In addition to the required textbooks, some of our lessons will cover reference material found online. You will receive specific instructions as to which websites to visit for lessons that involve this online course material. |