Palmer Institute

The Palmer Institute prepares, trains, and credentials pastors for effective ministry in the Metro New York District.

Operated by the Metro New York District Church of the Nazarene, the Palmer Institute provides resources for the selection, training, and development of candidates for ministry, career ministers and lay church leaders compatible with the needs of multicultural adult learners.

Our Vision

To prepare, train, and credential holy and health pastors for effective ministry on the Metro New York District.

There are several areas to explore:

• Clergy licensure
• Clergy preparation
• Clergy assessment and accountability
• Lay development and training

 

Learn More About Clergy Licensure

Lay Ministry Certificate Program

In the Church of the Nazarene, we believe all Christians should consider themselves ministers of Christ and seek to know God’s will concerning their call to a life of service. Whether you are interested in becoming a certified Lay Minister in your local church, or you want a more in-depth understanding of Scripture and the history of the Nazarene Church, the Lay Minister Certificate Program may be for you!

This program is available for anyone who wants to grow in their faith and have a deeper understanding of Scripture, theology, and the historical context of the Nazarene church.  Classes will be offered consecutively and can be taken at your leisure as they are offered. Each class takes approximately 12 weeks to complete and recognition of completion will be given after each course. However, if you feel called to fulfill a role in a specialized ministry as a layperson, you may pursue the Lay Ministry Certificate by completing all six required courses and the required electives for the specified ministry of your choice. You must be a current member of the Church of the Nazarene and receive the recommendation of your local church pastor in order to be awarded the program certificate. This certificate helps validate the participating layperson’s commitment and calling to a body of believers by recognition of course completion through the Church of the Nazarene and the Metro New York District.

Six Required Courses:

• Exploring John Wesley’s Theology
• Exploring Nazarene History & Polity
• Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation
• Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World
• Telling the Old Testament Story of God
• Telling the New Testament Story of God

 

Nine Elective Courses:

• Children’s Ministry
• Youth Ministry
• Church Board Transformation
• Discovering & Developing Christlike Disciple Makers
• How to Study the Bible
• Lived Holiness: Toward a Theology of Love
• Mental Health in Discipling Communities
• Spark:  Being & Making Disciples in Small Groups
• Witnessing:  The Bible Speaks to me about my witness

 

Classes will be offered in both English and Spanish on Mondays at 7PM beginning October 7th at the Bridge Church in Malverne, NY. We will begin the course of study with “Exploring John Wesley’s Theology“.

Registration is required and costs $25. Each course costs $100.

Lay Ministry Course Flyer (Spanish)

Lay Ministry Course Flyer

Apply Here!