Continuing Education

Editor’s notes: Dave Gemmell pitches a few questions to Adam Fenner, Director of the Adventist Learning Community

Dave:   I hear that pastors who attend the CALLED Pastors’ family convention may be eligible to get CE credit.

Adam: Absolutely. Pastors who attend the CALLED Pastors’ Family convention could fulfill half of their Continuing Education Credits (CEU) for the entire year! 

Dave: How do they get the credit?

Adam: They should attend and participate in the convention and then report their experience on their Adventist Learning Community (ALC) account for their ministerial director to approve. 

Dave: How many hours of CE do pastors need to report every year?

Adam: The NAD working policy recommends that pastors spend at least 20 hours a year in the pursuit of continuing education.  

Dave: How do I know how much credit I can get from attending the convention or for any other CE activity that I do?

Adam: We’ve set up a table of education that describes most of the activities that qualify for CE and how much credit is awarded for each one. For example, attending a 3-day professional convention such as CALLED Pastors’ family convention would be about 10 professional hours or 1 CE credit. 

Dave: Why is CE so important? 

Adam: NAD working policy says “Excellence in ministry requires that ministers continually hone the skills needed to perform their profession. It involves commitment to a lifelong process of learning. This is accomplished by a consistent continuing education plan, which will allow pastors to enhance their ministry skills.  It is the responsibility of professional pastors to continually update their expertise that they might serve their constituents better.”

Dave: Is CE just random stuff that pastors do to get credit or is there a method to the madness? 

Adam: Actually, yes, NAD working policy gives the reason “so they may grow in their proficiency of Core Qualities for Effective Ministry including, character, evangelism, worship, leadership, scholarship, management, and relationship.” 

Dave: Thank you for all you do Adam, in supporting pastors as we continue to grow in our lifetime pursuit of pastoral excellence. 

Adam: Adventist Learning Community is here to serve.  

Dave Gemmell is an Associate Director of the NAD Ministerial Association

Adam Fenner is the Director of Adventist Learning Community