Covenant Orientation
North Park Theological Seminary is the Seminary of the Evangelical Covenant Church. It offers a variety of ways to fulfill the orientation requirements for women and men seeking credentialing (licensing, commissioning, or ordination) within the Covenant denomination, including master's degree programs and two certificate options.
Degree from North Park Theological Seminary
A degree from North Park Theological Seminary may fulfill the entire orientation requirement for various levels of credentialing. Degree-seeking students planning to serve in the Evangelical Covenant Church must complete the following as part of their degree programs:
- Vocational Excellence
- Mission and Ministry connecting weekend course
- Study in the history and theology of the denomination, which may be fulfilled through one of two options:
- History and Theology of the ECC (HSTY 7300) AND an elective theology course
- (OR) History of the ECC (HSTY 7511) AND Theology of the ECC (THEO 7501)
One Year North Park Seminary Covenant Orientation
One academic year of study-in-residence (24-30 semester hours) at NPTS may also fulfill the Covenant Orientation requirement, as long as the following courses are included during a student's program as a whole:
- Vocational Excellence
- Mission and Ministry, either as the connecting weekend course or the traditional Covenant Orientation course
- Study in the history and theology of the denomination, which may be fulfilled through one of two options:
- History and Theology of the ECC (HSTY 7300) AND an elective theology course
- (OR) History of the ECC (HSTY 7511) AND Theology of the ECC (THEO 7501)
Students completing 30 or more hours at NPTS may transfer credits from another seminary towards a North Park Theological Seminary degree, or credits received during the year of orientation may be transferred to another seminary.
Those seeking Ordination to Specialized Ministry who already hold a secular master's degree may complete their required 30 hours of theological study at North Park, simultaneously fulfilling their educational and orientation requirements. These students will also need to take the foundational courses for credentialing (listed below) and also demonstrate 13 semester hours in an area of specialization such as youth, camping, or leadership/administration.
Covenant Identity Certificate
Men and women seeking to serve in the ECC, but who come from a different denominational background, may choose to complete a 12-credit certificate in Covenant identity. The required courses for this certificate meet the history and theology requirements discussed above, and elective courses explore other topics central to the denominations identity, including women in ministry, Pietism, global mission, and worship.
Foundational Courses for Credentialing
In order to be credentialed by the ECC, a pastor needs a minimum of four specific graduate level courses in theological studies. North Park Theological Seminary offers a 12-credit certificate in foundational courses for credentialing candidates.
- Church History: Christian Tradition and Mission (HSTY 6210)
- New Testament: New Testament I (BIBL 5150) or New Testament II (BIBL 5151)
- Old Testament: Old Testament I (BIBL 6120) or Old Testament II (BIBL 6121)
- Systematic Theology: Christian Theology (THEO 6330)
Vocational Ministry in the ECC
All matters regarding ordination, transfer of ordination, and licensure are the responsibility of the Evangelical Covenant Church's Ministerium and Board of the Ordered Ministry. For information on other ways to fulfill Orientation requirements, please visit the Covenant denomination's website.