The Diocese of Camden is pleased to announce a new program for basic lay ministry formation — The Church Ministry Institute of Camden. This three-year certificate program provides lay men and women with a basic foundation in theological knowledge, pastoral skills and spiritual formation, assisting them to live out their baptismal call.
The model for this program has been adopted with permission from the program and curriculum used successfully by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for lay ministry formation for 11 years by both English- and Spanish-speaking people.
Instituto Ministerial Eclesial de Camden (IMEC) was introduced in South Jersey last month to the Spanish-speaking community. Year I of the program has a current enrollment of 148 participants who are meeting at four different locations throughout the diocese.
The Church Ministry Institute of Camden is for people who want to be better informed and more deeply formed in their faith, but who do not wish to pursue college undergraduate or graduate certificates or degrees. There are reading requirements, but no tests or research papers. Individuals who complete the three year program and its requirements should deepen their relationship with Jesus and be prepared for service to their parish. Fourteen courses over the three year period include a study of Scripture, dogmatic theology, church history, liturgical and sacramental theology, moral theology, pastoral theology and spirituality. Classes are held once a week for two and one-half hours, September through May. Tuition assistance for the program is made available from the Lifelong Faith Formation Endowment Fund. Students and parishes are asked to pay $125 per year and payment plans are offered.
After each six-week course, participants meet in small groups with experienced guides to deepen their learning through the practice of theological reflection. Retreats, structured observations of a variety of parish ministries and a personally developed parish ministry project are integral to the program, as are reflections on the students’ experiences of these. At the conclusion of the three year program, a diocesan certificate will be awarded.
In September, 2011, Year I of the Church Ministry Institute program will be implemented for English speaking people (CMIC); and, as Year II of IMEC begins, a new Year I of IMEC will be offered to the Hispanic community.
Registration for the September IMEC (Spanish) and CMIC (English) will begin in March, 2011. For further information contact Linda K. Robinson, Director of Lay Ministry Formation at linda.k.robinson@camdendiocese.org. For information in Spanish, contact Sr. Sonia Avi, IHM at savi@camdendiocese.org
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