GAMC0936
September 28, 2009

New online training launched for Educator Certification Advisors

Contact:
Emily Enders Odom, (336) 508-6394

Greensboro, N.C. — Through the strategic acquisition of significant new e-learning software, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Vocation is now able to offer online, interactive training for Educator Certification Advisors, the primary advocates for Christian educators seeking certification in the PC(USA).

Effective immediately, nearly 140 Educator Certification Advisors across the PC(USA) — appointed by their presbyteries to serve in a ministry of support, advocacy and leadership with educators who are in the process to be certified — now have the opportunity to be resourced and prepared for their critical role on their own computers and on their own time. The savings to the denominational budget will be significant, as both the travel time and expenses for key Vocation staff and elected committee members will be substantially reduced, allowing more resources and energy to be directed toward other aspects of the certification process.

There are currently 641 Certified Christian Educators in the PC(USA) and another 335 educators presently in the process of seeking certification.  Since January 2009, a total of 56 additional applications for certification have been requested.

“We want to support church leaders by providing them with the information and inspiration they seek,” said Marcia Myers, director of the Office of Vocation, a joint ministry of the Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Mission Council. “We are excited that new technologies like Articulate allow us to ‘visit’ Presbyterians electronically to equip them for their ministries.”

Based on a simple PowerPoint model, the new, interactive online training includes a voice recording suited to auditory learners in addition to written notes and graphics geared toward those who learn best visually.  There are also hyperlinks to a variety of helpful Websites and two quizzes for the purpose of review.

“Effective communication is a key thread in the fabric of educational ministry,” said the Rev. Dr. Timothy Son, assistant professor of Christian Education and Youth Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a member of the Educator Certification Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Educator Certification Council is the elected body charged with establishing the certification standards, evaluating certification exams, and approving Educator Certification Advisors. Members of the Council are nominated through the General Assembly Nominating Committee process.

“I truly believe that making the new online training tool available for Education Certification Advisors will not only enhance the communication process and the overall quality of the certification program, but also open up more opportunities in preparing for tomorrow’s church educators,” Son said. “This is certainly one good example of how to use media wisely in the process of learning.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) comprises 2.2 million members in more than 10,000 congregations, answering Christ’s call to mission and ministry throughout the United States and the world. See more information at the PC(USA) Web site.