The Lanier Certificate in Theology and Ministry
The Lanier Certificate in Theology and Ministry is designed to train ministers and laypeople in Scripture, theology, Church history, and mission in order to serve the Church and extend God’s Kingdom.

The Certificate Program is appropriate for:
- Bi-vocational pastors
- Interested laypeople
- Candidates for ministry licensing
- Church leadership-development programs
- Deacons
- Elders
- Sunday School teachers
- Youth ministers
- Children’s ministers
- Continuing education in ministry
Program overview
The Lanier Certificate in Theology and Ministry consists of ten courses in Christian Scriptures, theology and ministry. Each course requires approximately ten contact hours with an instructor or instructors. Courses are taught in a variety of modalities including face-to-face, online (using Zoom) and hybrid. Generally, courses are taught in intensive (weekend or week long) seminars or in short semesters (6 weeks). Intensive courses require some pre-work (reading) and post-work (writing). In the short semesters all work must be completed by the end of the semester.
Intensive, weekend seminars
- Fridays & Saturdays plus 2-3 hours of online instruction by Mark Lanier
- Pre-work: some readings beginning two weeks before the seminar
- Post-work: a 1000 word paper submitted four weeks after the intensive weekend
Short semester
- Instruction (face-to-face or over Zoom) 1 hour week for 6 weeks
- 2-3 hours of online instruction by Mark Lanier
- Reading assignments of about 20-30 pages per week
- Short paper: a 1000 word paper submitted at the end of the semesters
No Grades. Just the Goods.
- Faculty take time to read your work and give you feedback
Teachers of record with a Masters or PhD
The certificate program is not accredited and cannot be transferred to an accredited institution. The value is in the learning itself. When certificate requirements are completed, students receive a certificate designed by the staff at the Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center.

The LCTM has a core curriculum of 6 courses plus 4 electives (you choose based on availability or interest). In general, the certificate can be completed in two years.
Core curriculum
LCTM 001 How to Read the Bible
LCTM 002 Old Testament Survey
LCTM 003 New Testament Survey
LCTM 004 Christian Theology
LCTM 005 Church History
LCTM 006 Mission and Ministry
Electives
LCTM 018 Letters of Paul
LCTM 024 The Book of Revelation
LCTM 011 Evil and Suffering
LCTM 020 Open Electives