Learning theology and congregational leadership in community
TEL programs provide progressive, accessible Christian theological education year-round through special courses and seminars for clergy, laity, and spiritual seekers from diverse racial/ethnic communities. Using PSR’s “flexible learning” approach, TEL fosters a strong and supportive community environment while enabling participation at a distance through online learning. CEU’s available for individual courses and seminars.
All of TEL’s offerings are multicultural and intersectional in design and focus. They are structured to allow you to be engaged at the level that works for you—for personal spiritual formation, lay leadership training, professional growth, or continuing education. A carefully selected curriculum of online experiences may be engaged individually, or as part of a certificate program. While rich in context and perspective and taught by instructors with years of academic and leadership experience, these offerings do not require graduate-level engagement. Past students have felt challenged yet “met where they are” and more than a few have continued into seminary education and completion of a Master of Divinity degree.
If you would like to be put on our Notification list for upcoming programs and seminars, or for an opportunity to speak with the TEL Program Director, please click the Request Information button.
Certificate in Theological Education for Leadership (CTEL)
Our next offering is the year-long Certificate in Theological Education for Leadership (CTEL) program. This well-received series has been revitalized to bring even more thoughtful and powerful examination of the ways that Christian teachings, sacred text, and prophetic witness can be brought to the issues calling for love and justice in our world today.
Completion of the Certificate in Theological Education for Leadership requires participation in: 1 orientation session, 11 course sessions, and 2 seminar sessions.
Each Course is scheduled for four Saturdays, usually consecutive.
Some courses may require assignments to be completed before the 1st Saturday. These assignments could be: reading(s), watching short videos, a short written reflection to “prompt” your current thoughts about and experience with the upcoming topics. The intent is always to prepare you for informed and enriching discussions with your instructor and your classmates.
- The 1st Saturday is a 3-hour Zoom session to outline the course, answer questions, and start presentations by the instructor and discuss the topics presented.
- The following two weeks involve the bulk of course work for the student. Depending on the course topic, assignments may be: reading(s), short videos, short written reflections, online posts, responses to your classmates’ posts, and possibly some research into a topic. Most assignments can be completed in 30-45 minutes.
- The 2nd Saturday date is highlighted to encourage students to meet in small study-groups to support one another in completing the assignments through questions and discussions.
- The 3rd Saturday is another 3-hour Zoom session, continuing with topic presentations, reflections on assignments, and discussions. This is the closing session of the course.
- The 4th Saturday is set as the due date for any final assignment.
- Each Seminar may include pre-assignments, but there is no final assignment.
All sessions are on Saturdays, see times below.
CTEL Class Schedule 2023-24
Note: Course Titles are subject to change to reflect the focus of the course.
DATES | TITLE | INSTRUCTOR |
| July 5-9 | Meet us at TFAM Convocation 2023! | |
August 05, 12, 19, 26 | Introduction to Christian Ethics | Dr. Kellie Turner |
September 16 (seminar) | Mental Health and Leadership: Dealing with Yourself and Others | Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh |
October 7, 14, 21, 28 | Introduction to Pastoral Care | Dr. Kellie Turner |
| November 4, 11, 18 | Introduction to Christian Education | TBA |
| December 9 | Care and Administration of the Church | Rev. Barbara Essex |
| January | TBA | |
| February | TBA | |
| March | TBA | |
| April | TBA | |
| May | TBA | |
| June | TBA | |
| July | TBA | |
| Aug | TBA |
| Pacific | Hawaii | Eastern | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME | 12PM - 3PM | 9AM -12PM | 3PM - 6PM |
| STANDARD TIME | 11AM - 2PM | 9AM - 12PM | 2PM - 5PM |
Tuition
Community-specific students (UCC Hawaii, MCC L.E.A.D., TFAM, and former TEL students returning to complete their certificate) should contact tel@psr.edu for specific tuition rates.
| Tuition | Costs | Full Certificate | $2400 (Application fee: $20, non-refundable) |
|---|---|
| Individual Course | $225 |
| Individual Seminar | $75 |
| Tuition for PSR Students | |
| Individual Course | $210 |
| Individual Seminar | $50 |
In Memoriam:
Rev. Janice Sommerville
(May 9, 1951 – December 31, 2020)
"Janice impacted each of our lives in the community in deep ways through her commitment to life and ministry, dedication to making theological education accessible, and helping others see, hear ,and live out their callings. She shaped the faith journeys of countless students, including her work to launch our Hawaii Cohort of TEL."