One Journey. Three Milestones. One Degree.
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THE PATH FORWARD
90 QUARTER CREDITS. THREE YEARS OF FORMATION. A LIFETIME OF DISCIPLE-MAKING.
Formation Institute is structured as one progressive three-year ministry leadership pathway. Each year carries a distinct formation theme, 30 quarter credits, and a progressive certificate. Together, the three years total 90 quarter credits and lead toward completion of the Associate of Arts in Ministry Leadership—forming Christ-shaped leaders who know Jesus, love His Church, and participate in His mission.
THE PATHWAY
THREE YEARS. THREE MILESTONES.
YEAR ONE
CERTIFIED LEVEL
IDENTITY IN CHRIST · 30 QUARTER CREDITS · LAY LEADERSHIP
Year One establishes the foundation in Scripture, biblical interpretation, spiritual formation, discipleship, and practical ministry. The Certified Level recognizes completion of the first 30-credit stage and prepares students for meaningful ministry participation and lay leadership.
YEAR TWO
LICENSED LEVEL
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS · 30 QUARTER CREDITS · LICENSED MINISTRY
Year Two moves from foundation into deeper theology, communication, leadership, discipleship, evangelism, and ministry practice. The Licensed Level recognizes the second 30-credit stage and prepares students for increasing responsibility and ministry leadership.
YEAR THREE
ORDAINED LEVEL
MATURITY & MULTIPLICATION · 30 QUARTER CREDITS · ORDINATION PREPARATION
Year Three integrates theology, leadership, ministry administration, mission, discipleship, and continued practical ministry. The Ordained Level recognizes the third 30-credit stage and prepares students for church leadership, mission, disciple multiplication, and ordination preparation.
CERTIFIED → LICENSED → ORDAINED
IDENTITY → EQUIPPING → MATURITY & MULTIPLICATION
THE DEGREE
90 CREDITS. ONE INTEGRATED PATHWAY.
QUARTER CREDITS
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Completion of all three levels creates one 90-quarter-credit pathway toward the Associate of Arts in Ministry Leadership. The degree brings together general education, Bible and theology, ministry core, and ministry practicum—broad enough to develop communication, reasoning, biblical understanding, theology, leadership, and ministry practice while remaining centered on Christian formation.
ACADEMIC FRAMEWORK
DEPTH AND PRACTICE BELONG TOGETHER.
35 — GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS
Written communication, public speaking, psychology, human development, quantitative reasoning, and Christian history provide broader foundations for thoughtful ministry leadership.
30 — BIBLE & THEOLOGY CREDITS
Students develop biblical literacy, theological understanding, hermeneutical skill, and a stronger foundation for interpreting and communicating Scripture faithfully.
15 — MINISTRY CORE CREDITS
Leadership, spiritual formation, discipleship, evangelism, church administration, and multiplication connect theology to ministry leadership.
10 — MINISTRY PRACTICUM CREDITS
Practical ministry runs throughout all three years so learning meets observation, service, leadership, application, and reflection.
THE DEGREE GIVES THE JOURNEY STRUCTURE. FORMATION GIVES IT PURPOSE.
THE OUTCOME
WHAT SHOULD A FORMATION GRADUATE BE ABLE TO DO?
The goal is not measured only by completed credits. Formation Institute is designed around clear biblical and ministry formation outcomes.
INTERPRET SCRIPTURE FAITHFULLY
DEMONSTRATE SPIRITUAL MATURITY
UNDERSTAND CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
COMMUNICATE BIBLICAL TRUTH
APPRECIATE THE FIVE-FOLD GIFTS
LEAD WITH HUMILITY
DISCIPLE AND EQUIP OTHERS
PARTICIPATE IN GOD’S MISSION
INTEGRATE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE
SERVE THE CHURCH EFFECTIVELY
MORE THAN COMPLETION
THE END OF THE PROGRAM IS NOT THE END OF FORMATION.
A certificate can mark a milestone. A degree can mark completion of an academic pathway. But Formation Institute is built around a longer horizon: faithful discipleship, ministry, leadership, service, and continued growth in Christ. Students leave with a foundation to keep learning, serving, becoming mature, and helping form others.
FORMATION RECEIVED BECOMES FORMATION GIVEN.
ONE CORNERSTONE
EVERYTHING RETURNS TO JESUS.
The learning model can be innovative. The curriculum can be rigorous. The tracks can be specialized. Five-Fold perspectives can broaden how students understand the Church. The credential can mark academic achievement. But none of these are the cornerstone. Formation Institute exists to form Christ-shaped leaders who know Jesus, love His Church, and participate in His mission.
ONE CORNERSTONE. ONE DEGREE. THREE CERTIFICATES. SIX MINISTRY TRACKS. FIVE-FOLD FORMATION. A LIFETIME OF DISCIPLE-MAKING.
THE NEXT STEP
BEGIN THE JOURNEY.
Formation Institute is being built for people who want more than ministry information. It is a three-year journey into Scripture, theology, spiritual formation, community, practical ministry, leadership, and mission. Connect with Shiloh Ranch to begin the conversation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FORMATION →
CONNECT WITH SHILOH RANCH →