Requirements
Certificate of Completion in Practical Spirituality
Minister of Religious Science Credential
25 Semester Units and 312 Hours of Service Ministry

Objectives

  • Train candidates for service as Minister of Religious Science;
  • Have students demonstrate understanding of basic principles;
  • Have students understand the qualities of leadership in church operations, finance,
    management and growth;
  • Provide instruction in the development of skills required in speaking effectively before small
    and large groups;
  • Have students develop skills in performing marriages, funerals and other ceremonies.

Requirements

Notes

Prerequisites:

 
 
  • Complete all the requirements for the Practitioner of Religious Science credential or have a current Practitioner license from the United Church of Religious Science or from Religious Science International.
  • Complete Student Enrollment Application form.
  • Make payment of Fees.

Course Work (hours of instruction)

 
  Spiritual Origins of New Thought (45 Hours)  
  Comparative Religions and Practices (45 Hours)  
  Bible Review and Interpretation (45 Hours)  
  Consciousness Studies (45 Hours)  
  Early Philosophers and Teachers (45 Hours)  
  Relating Science to Religion (45 Hours)  
  The Philosophy of New Thought (45 hours)  
  Pastoral Care/Pastoral Counseling (60 hours)  
Internship: (upon completion of aforementioned courses of study)
Eighteen months internship under the mentorship of the Senior Minister or his/her designee. Internship must include the following areas and service ministry:
  How to Teach the Fundamentals of New Thought (45 Hours) Teaching large and small groups of students under the supervision of a senior minister. Giving talks at a church service and leading meditation and other groups.
  The Consciousness of the Ministry (36 hours) Providing service to the senior minister, such as intake interviews for pastoral counseling and assistance in outreach services to the community;  creating a positive atmosphere within the church setting; providing ministerial support for the sick; ceremonial assistance.
  Effective Public Speaking (45 hours) Sunday talks, presentations at meetings; participation at Toastmasters and/or other speaking opportunities.
  Church Services Program (36 hours) Assisting in leadership roles such as assigning ushers, working on the newsletter, public relations activities and other tasks assigned by the senior minister.
Ministerial Ethics and Leadership (45 hours) Understanding confidentiality and fiduciary relationships, laws related to ministerial counseling and independent contracting. Taking leadership positions within the church.
Board Function and Relationship (15 hours) Creating board agendas, establishing communications with board, understanding board responsibility and bylaws. Attending  board meetings.
Outreach Programs (15 hours) Applying our belief system in community service clubs and organizations.
Ceremonies (30 hours) Be familiar with the various ceremonies (weddings, memorial services, naming ceremonies) and how to conduct them.
Church Leadership (45 hours) including:
Building a Successful Ministry
Church Organization;
Use of Volunteers;
Budget and Finances.
Working with the senior pastor to providing service for the church community and  board of trustees, and gaining  understanding of church administration, finances, fund-raising and income sources and through active participation. Developing volunteer base for church activities.
Other Requirements:
Written qualifications examination
  Oral qualifying examination  
  Recommended for the ministry by the Examination Review Panel, Emerson Institute Board of Regents.  
Textbooks:  
  The Science of Mind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
World Religions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spirits in Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Hidden Mystery of the Bible  . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Bible Mystery and Bible Meaning  . . . . . . . . . . .  
The Power of Myth  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Emerson Essays  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Beyond Words and Thoughts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Awakening Mystical Consciousness
 . . . . . . . . . .
Mind Power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Power of Now  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers  . . . .
Leadership and the New Science  . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thriving on Chaos  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Varieties of Religious Experience  . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spectrum of Consciousness  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marriage of Sense and Soul-Integrating Science/Religion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anatomy of Healing Prayer  . . . . .  . . . . .  . . . . .
Living the Science of Mind  . . . . .  . . . . .  . . . . . .
And There Was Light  . . . . .  . . . . .  . . . . .  . . . . .
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success  . . . . .  . . . .
 
Ernest Holmes
Huston Smith
Charles Braden
Jack Addington
Thomas Troward
Joseph Campbell
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Joel Goldsmith
Joel Goldsmith
John Kehoe
Eckhart Tolle
S. E. Frost, Jr.
Margaret Wheatley
Tom Peters
William James
Ken Wilbur

Ken Wilbur
Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes
Rocco Errico
Deepak Chopra

Other Questions? See our Ministerial FAQ's

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