Certification Guidelines
Background:
The PCBAA established a Committee on Accreditation and
Standards at its annual conference in 1974. The Plan included a
program of on-campus study at the Presbyterian School of
Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, beginning in 1975.
Since 1984, the PCBAA certification program has been available
through Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, which is also a
certification center of the National Association of Church
Business Administration (NACBA). This Plan of Certification is
approved by the Church Vocations Ministry Unit of the
Presbyterian Church (USA).
Benefits of Certification:
- Listing annually in the formal minutes of the General
Assembly.
- Invitation to all presbytery meetings with privilege of
the floor without vote.
- Recognition to Newly Certified Lay Employees at
Presbytery Meetings.
- Closer communication with governing body decisions and
policies through receiving mailings from General
Assembly.
- Network of Opportunities for Placement
- An asset for administrators or pastors when changing
positions.
Certification
Certification seminars are conducted annually by Union
Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian
Education in Richmond, Virginia, and at other certification
center locations.
Currently the Certification Seminars I and II are offered
annually on alternative years. The order in which they are taken
is unimportant.
Key areas of study include:
- Congregational Leadership Development
- Information Systems/Computers
- Personnel Management
- Property Management
- Office Management
- Stewardship
- Time Management
- Church History/Theology of the Church
- Church Accounting/Finance/Investments
- Communication/Conflict Resolution
- Legal and Tax Matters
- Administration as Ministry
- Strategic Planning Management
- Presbyterian Polity
Requirements for PCBAA Certification:
- Attendance at two ten-day seminars at an accredited
certification center;
- Completion of a Presbyterian Polity course (available at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education or at the National Conference of PCBAA);
- Completion of an approved research project in church
administration;
- Three years' work experience as a church business
administrator or an equivalent position related to
finance and administration in a church, board, agency or
governing body;
- Attendance at one National Conference of the PCBAA;
- Membership for two years in PCBAA; and
- Two reference letters on file regarding work and ability.
For more information:
Click here to contact the Certification Committee or
Click here to contact the PCBAA Office
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