Church & Ministry Partnership Options

Redemption Seminary can be used independently or embedded within churches and ministries to raise up leaders. Here are some key ways to partner with us:

Continuing Education for Pastors and Leaders

Churches can purchase one or more courses per year for pastors, elders, and ministry leaders—either à la carte or within a degree program. Courses can also be taken in our low-cost non-graded track (no mentoring required).

Many churches already have a library or an education budget for leadership development. When a leader enrolls in a Redemption course, they also gain access to valuable resources like Logos MAX and the Redemption Logos Library.

Your church can incorporate academic degrees within its own training and adult education programs.

The Layered Approach to Leadership Development

Churches can easily integrate Redemption Seminary into their own leadership training plan. A layered model allows everyone—from curious members to those preparing for full-time ministry—to participate in the same meeting but at the right level for each.

Layer 1 – Courses for Credit (Future Leaders & Interns)

For those pursuing ministry leadership or ordination, Redemption provides the curriculum, materials, and grading. Students work through lectures, readings, and workbooks, meeting (typically) weekly in a study group and periodically with pastors. This meeting is held and scheduled by the church.

  • Students complete self-paced study with video lectures, readings, and workbook assignments.

  • They meet weekly with peers and regularly with pastors for guidance.

  • Redemption Seminary mentors handle grading and academic oversight.

  • Churches set the pace, often recommending three courses per year for full-time ministry candidates.

  • Typical pacing options:

    • Casual Pace: 3 courses/year, ~4–6 hours/week, 36 credits in 4 years; Graduate Certificate in 1 year.

    • Steady Pace: 6 courses/year, ~10–15 hours/week, 36 credits in 2 years; overlaps independent study with mentoring for efficiency.

Layer 2 – Courses for the Curious (Non-Graded)

Designed for motivated church members who want deep study without grading or mentoring commitments.

  • Access the same course videos, readings, and workbooks as credit students.

  • Participate in study groups alongside credit students.

  • Flexible pace—no formal deadlines or grading pressure.

Layer 3 – Group Participation Without Enrollment

Even those not enrolled can attend the study group. Together, participants can watch lectures, read short excerpts, and discuss workbook questions—giving them a taste of deeper study and a pathway to greater involvement.

Ideal for those interested in learning but not ready to commit to coursework.

  • Attend study groups to watch lectures, discuss readings, and explore workbook questions.

  • Gain exposure to biblical leadership training and experience community learning.

  • Provides a clear path toward deeper involvement in Layers 2 and 1.

Why This Works

A layered approach maximizes meeting time and resources while fostering encouragement and discipleship. It also creates a clear on-ramp for members to grow from casual attendance to committed leadership.

✅ Ready to grow leaders in your church with Redemption Seminary? Let us know how your church is thinking about partnering with Redemption Seminary. Please contact us to describe your thoughts.

Example Process for Setting Up a Redemption Leadership Training Program in Your Church

Step 1: Create & Publish a Schedule for the Leadership Discussion Group

  • Plan the annual schedule, including weekly meeting times, location, meeting length, and any planned breaks.

  • Announce and promote the discussion group within your church so members know how to get involved.

Step 2: Identify & Register Participants for Each Leadership Training Layer

  • Layer 1 – Core Group: Participants earning course credit through Redemption (requires an undergraduate degree).

  • Layer 2 – Self-Studiers: Participants auditing courses (non-graded track) through Redemption.

  • Layer 3 – Discussion Attendees: Participants without access to Logos or course materials who join for group discussions only.

Note: Have People in Layers 1 & 2 apply and enroll in Redemption at least one month before the first discussion group meeting.

  • Appoint a discussion leader (from Layer 1 or 2) to select videos, readings, and discussion questions for each meeting. Plans can be adjusted after each session based on group needs.

Step 3: Confirm Start Details with Participants

  • Notify everyone of the confirmed start date, time, and location for the first meeting.

Step 4: Begin the Meetings

  • Watch and discuss the Redemption course materials together.

  • Only Layer 1 participants (taking the course for credit) must complete the course workbook.

  • Have the pastor join periodically (monthly or bimonthly) to offer local guidance and application.

Step 5: Redemption Mentoring & Grading for Layer 1

  • Layer 1 participants schedule their mentor meeting according to the Redemption Seminary academic calendar.

  • Ideally, students should finish all Unit 3 coursework before meeting with their mentor.

  • The discussion group may move faster or slower than an individual’s Redemption coursework schedule.

Mentoring Within Your Church

If you have qualified leaders (with theological doctorates), they may serve as Redemption Seminary mentors for your students.

  • Redemption pays mentors, helping your budget.

  • Mentors gain access to exclusive Logos resources and ongoing training.

  • This local mentoring deepens discipleship and strengthens your ministry culture.

 
 

Preserving Church Control

The church (or ministry) maintains doctrinal control over the program and can direct student growth within their ministry context. The church chooses what mentors (perhaps their own staff) meet the standards of their overarching church program. If a new member joins the church who has taken some Redemption courses previously with mentors outside of the church’s approved list, they may still earn their Redemption degree, and it is up to the church to determine what they will allow to count toward completing their training program. The church program may require students in this situation to retake such courses with one of their approved mentors. In this circumstance, the student may be able to use the opportunity to improve their course grade.

Since the church designs its own overarching program, it may require other activities and requirements (pillars) such as weekly peer group meetings or additional meetings with their mentor professor to complete their program.

Churches are limited to embedding predefined Redemption degree programs since Redemption maintains accreditation compliance standards in such a way that optimizes cost savings for churches and students. However, mentors are responsible for helping students personalize their work to suit their gifting and their ministerial contexts. So a church that provides mentors for its members can tailor the student work to the needs and focus of the church’s ministry.