Partners in Ministry

Western honors the ministry team, a husband and a wife preparing together at seminary to assume leadership in the church or parachurch. So often the preparation of wives who are partners in ministry is forgotten as their spouses train for pastoral ministry. Not at Western.

One of the most important dynamics that a husband and wife can recognize and develop during their seminary days is a sense of team ministry. Developing this awareness of being co-laborers for Christ who share a common mission (though gifts and roles may differ) creates a "spiritual kinship" that results in special effectiveness in ministry. To nurture this awareness of being significant co-laborers, Western offers a number of opportunities for student wives to grow and prepare for ministry along with their husbands. These opportunities include:

Partners in Ministry Certificate Program (PMC)

The Partners in Ministry Certificate program has been especially designed for wives of Western Seminary students. As future ministry wives, the curriculum is strategically created to prepare a spouse to serve in partnership with her husband in full-time ministry. While helping strengthen the bond between husband and wife, the PMC program seeks to encourage ministry skills, deepen biblical understanding, and provide mentoring relationships.

The Partners in Ministry Certificate is a non-credit program. Student wives have the opportunity to custom design their own program for maximum benefit and availability. PMC students may draw from many of our WS course offerings, as well as seminars and mentoring to compose a training program that will prepare them to be more effective in ministry.

Women who complete a minimum of six semester hours of PMC, PCW, or other pre-approved courses will qualify for the Partners in Ministry Certificate. A gold seal is earned upon completion of seven or more semester hours. It is always such a joyful time for women to "walk" with their husbands at graduation, having both received training to equip them to partner together in ministry.

Apply and Register in/through the Women's Center for Ministry (WCM) for all PMC students. WCM is located in Milliken Hall, Rm 203.

 

Partners in Ministry Course Schedule - '07-'08

Fall 2007

PCW513 Women in Leadership. (2 hrs) Students will examine the call and character of a woman in leadership, explore the art of leadership, identify the essential competencies, & much more. Gain insights from biblical and historical examples of women in leadership. 2 hours.

CNS562G Suicide Intervention Workshop. (1 hr) Learn the warning signs and how to intervene with someone who may be contemplating suicide. Note: $35 materials fee required.

NWL Fall Conference - Hope for the Hurting (1 hr) Contact the Women's Center for Ministry for information and requirements. Sat, Nov 3, 2007.

Spring 2008

PCW561G Equipping Women to Identify and Embrace Their Call. (2 hrs) Examine five strategic disciplines that enable women to shed the lies, fear and shame that keep them in bondage, freeing women to fully embrace their true identity in Jesus Christ. Jan 2-5, 2008 Week-intensive with pre-course assignments.

DIS553 Women in Mission (2 hrs) Examine the unique contributions of women in the expansion from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth.

CNS562G Suicide Intervention Workshop. (1 hr) Learn the warning signs and how to intervene with someone who may be contemplating suicide. Note: $35 materials fee required.

Heart Talk 2008 - Speaker's Conference. (1-2 hrs.) This is inspirational training for women who desire to speak publicly, with Carol Kent and her team from Speak Up with Confidence."Communicating the Heart of God through the Heart of Women." Mar 12 - 15, 2008.

NWL Spring Conference - to be announced. (1 hr) Contact the Women's Center for Ministry for information and requirements. Spring, 2008.

Summer 2008

PCW561F Develop LIfe-Changing Bible Study Curriculum. (1) Learn how to develop curriculum that is Biblically sound, relevant, and applicable to all arenas of a woman's life. Acquire skills, grow in confidence, learn to train discussion leaders and curriculum-writing teams to create materials that are appropriate for neighborhood and/or church-based women's Bible Studies. Week-intensive with pre-course assignments. Apr 28-May 1, 2008. (Portland campus)

PCW514 Building Relational Ministries to Women. (2 hrs) Learn how to build, maintain and advance—from vision to reality—relational ministries for women featuring four components: cast the vision, build the team, discern the needs, and mold the ministry. Week-intensive with pre-course assignments. June 2-6, 2008.

Link to the Non-credit application form

For more course options, information, or to apply to the PMC program, please contact the Women's Center for Ministry at Western Seminary. wcm@westernseminary.edu or call 503-517-1931 or 877-517-1800 ext.1931.