The Kern Ministry Program seeks to do three things: reduce debt load for ministers, increase hireability by providing local church ministry experience, and create a base of networking opportunities for ministry positions in the future.
Housed within the School of Theology & Ministry, the Kern Ministry Program is a seamless experience in which you will earn a Master of Practical Theology in addition to a qualifying undergraduate ministry degree of the student’s choice.
REDUCED DEBT LOAD
Undergraduate students may qualify for a Kern Loan-Grant each academic year. This award is considered a loan at the undergraduate level requiring students to sign a promissory note each year that they receive money. Once 29 graduate credits have been completed, half of the undergraduate loan-grant is forgiven. All is forgiven at the completion of the master's degree.
- 5+ = $3,000
- 2-3.49 = $1,500
- 0-3.19 = $500
Full time graduate students who maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA or higher receive a scholarship equal to $191/credit hour each semester.
PRACTICAL MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
One of the biggest frustrations a new graduate faces is the phrase "experience required." In addition to the practical experience every undergraduate ministry student receives, a Kern student also completes a semester-long church internship of 126 hours (3 credits) to 252 hours (6 credits) of which includes ministry experience, research, reading and written assignments. Finally, you will spend your fifth year in a 12-month residency at a "teaching church." Upon completion of the program, you can confidently apply for positions requiring experience.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Leaving the college experience and moving into the workforce can be intimidating. Upon graduation, friends typically go their separate ways leaving the graduate feeling isolated. The Kern Program is designed to form lasting bonds with other pastoral leaders entering ministry. Kern students take some of their ministry-related courses together, creating a cohort-model feel to the program. If accepted into the program, you will also receive additional mentoring during weekly meetings with the Kern director. We anticipate that Kern students will become leaders among those earning a ministry degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. At the very least, Kern students will have developed lasting friendships with peers, providing a stronger network between congregations that spans both physical and denominational boundaries.
APPLICATIONS
Students who have been accepted to Indiana Wesleyan University may complete the application to the Kern Ministry Program. We recommend that new students complete the application before registering for courses. However, applications are accepted any time.
INTERVIEWS
Most freshman interviews occur in September and October. Individual interviews are with Eddy Shigley and sometimes another School of Theology & Ministry faculty. Extended group interviews, conducted by Melissa Fipps, allow students to share their call to ministry and receive answers to questions regarding the program.
MENTORING
Undergraduate cohorts meet together weekly to discuss assigned reading material on the topic of spiritual formation or ministerial leadership. Cohorts are established by the student’s anticipated master's graduation year. Students also receive individual mentoring throughout the Kern Ministry Program.
RETREATS
Students are expected to attend a retreat for their cohort each academic year. Although subject to change, the typical schedule is:
- Year 1 - overnight retreat on Marion campus in fall
- Year 2 - overnight ministry conference in spring
- Year 3 - weekend retreat to 3-4 megachurches in spring
- Year 4 - Catalyst conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in fall
For more information about the Kern Ministry, please email kern@indwes.edu or call 765-677-2248. Students who have been accepted to Indiana Wesleyan University may complete the application to the Kern Ministry Program today!