Assemblies of God Credentialing Pathway
Overview:
The Vanguard University School of Ministry credentialing pathway is designed for individuals pursuing ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God (AG). This self-paced, online pathway offers foundational knowledge and skills for effective ministry while fulfilling the training requirements for Certified, Licensed, and Ordained levels.
Purpose:
This program is a collaborative effort between Vanguard University and the SoCal Network to offer accessible and affordable ministerial training. It provides students with the flexibility of online learning and a direct pathway to fulfill AG credentialing requirements, equipping them for impactful service in the church and community. Students can earn college credit toward Vanguard University’s BA in Theology degree.
Key Features:
- Flexible Format: Self-paced, asynchronous courses with video instruction.
- Accessible Design: Simple and clear course layouts, suitable for busy schedules.
- Comprehensive Training: 1-unit courses covering core areas of biblical study, theology, leadership, and ministry practice.
- Credentialing Preparation: All courses align with AG ministerial credentialing requirements for Certified, Licensed, and Ordained levels.
Admissions Process:
- Submit an application through the Graduate and Professional Admissions portal at https://gpe.vanguard.edu/apply/
- Important Note: These courses are exclusively available to non-degree-seeking students pursuing ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God. Vanguard University degree-seeking students are not eligible to enroll in these courses.
Policies:
- Students may register for one course at a time to maintain focus and avoid over commitment.
- Students must begin coursework and complete at least one assignment within two weeks of registration. Failure to meet this requirement may result in administrative withdrawal from the course.
- Upon completing a course, students may enroll in an additional course if there is sufficient time to complete it before the semester ends.
- Students may complete up to four courses per semester. Exceptions to this limit may be granted with prior approval from an academic advisor.
CERTIFIED (LEVEL ONE)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOMC-101 | Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance | 1 |
| SOMC-102 | Spirit Empowered Church: Acts 2 Ministry Model | 1 |
| SOMC-103 | Christ in the Synoptic Gospels | 1 |
| SOMC-104 | Introduction to Hermeneutics | 1 |
| SOMC-105 | Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine | 1 |
| SOMC-106 | Introduction to Theology | 1 |
| SOMC-107 | New Testament Survey | 1 |
| SOMC-108 | Old Testament Survey | 1 |
| SOMC-109 | Relationships and Ethics in Ministry | 1 |
LICENSED (LEVEL TWO)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOML-201 | Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers | 1 |
| SOML-202 | Conflict Management for Church Leaders | 1 |
| SOML-203 | Effective Church Leadership | 1 |
| SOML-204 | Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come | 1 |
| SOML-205 | Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions | 1 |
| SOML-206 | Introduction to Homiletics | 1 |
| SOML-207 | Prison Epistles | 1 |
| SOML-208 | Romans: Justification by Faith | 1 |
| SOML-209 | The Local Church in Evangelism | 1 |
ORDAINED (LEVEL THREE)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| SOMO-301 | Church Administration, Finance, and Law | 1 |
| SOMO-302 | Pentateuch | 1 |
| SOMO-303 | Pastoral Ministry | 1 |
| SOMO-304 | Theology of Prayer and Worship | 1 |
| SOMO-305 | Preaching in the Contemporary World | 1 |
| SOMO-306 | Corinthian Correspondence | 1 |
| SOMO-307 | The Poetic Books | 1 |
SOMC-101 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance 1 Credit
This course provides an overview of the organizational structure, history, and theology of the U.S. Assemblies of God with a more in-depth consideration of the structure, policies, and practices of the Southern California District Council. Also included is consideration of the philosophy and practice of Assembly of God missions.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-102 Spirit Empowered Church: Acts 2 Ministry Model 1 Credit
To produce a spiritually, flourishing church requires a biblical, comprehensive, strategic plan empowered by the Spirit. This course looks at the strategic plan found in the Book of Acts chapter 2 and focuses on developing spirit-empowered disciples who will be involved with the five essential functions of a church as found there: connect, grow, serve, go and worship.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-103 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels 1 Credit
This course consists of a study of the synoptic Gospels presented in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This class will look at the life, events, and teachings of Christ in order to better understand Jesus the Messiah through the lens of the synoptic authors.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-104 Introduction to Hermeneutics 1 Credit
This course is basic training in learning to understand and use the Bible in Christian ministry. The course includes the study of the principles for interpreting the Bible and hands-on practice in applying them.
SOMC-105 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine 1 Credit
This course will examine the person, work, and ministry of the Holy Spirit from an Assemblies of God perspective. Questions to be considered include: Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people? What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? How does one know when he/she has received it? How does one live a Spirit-filled life in the 21st Century?
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-106 Introduction to Theology 1 Credit
The Assemblies of God has emphasized the importance of its doctrine as essential for a basis of unity since its adoption in 1916 as a response to theological issues that arose in the newly formed fellowship. This course will study the "Statement of Fundamental Truths" of the Assemblies of God, their biblical basis, and their application to the lives of believers.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-107 New Testament Survey 1 Credit
This course is an introduction to the books included in the canon of the New Testament and their relationship to each other in the historical setting in which they were created. Attention will also be given to the history of the intertestamental period that formed the New Testament world.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMC-108 Old Testament Survey 1 Credit
This course is an introduction to the books included in the canon of the Old Testament and their relationship to each other. Attention will be given to the history of the Jewish nation from Abraham until the end of the prophetic period.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-201 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers 1 Credit
This course is a study of the New Testament book of Acts from a Pentecostal perspective. The growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will be analyzed Emphasis will be placed on the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the early church as presented in Acts with application to its place in the life of the believer today.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-202 Conflict Management for Church Leaders 1 Credit
This course examines how to manage and resolve conflict in the local church in a Biblical manner. Attention will be given to the tools needed to see conflict resolved successful and how ones leadership style will affect the process.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-203 Effective Church Leadership 1 Credit
This course seeks to further the development of Christian leaders by understanding Biblical models of leadership, knowing the patterns of spiritual leadership development, applying situational leadership skills, and defining his/her role in the missions of the church.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-204 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come 1 Credit
This course consists of a Biblical study of end-time events from a Pentecostal perspective beginning with death and the intermediate state. Various views of the end time events are compared and contrasted.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-205 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions 1 Credit
The foundation of the Assemblies of God was built on a very strong missions philosophy that is still influencing the denomination today. This course is an introduction to the history, theology, philosophy, and practice of missions in the Assemblies of God. Attention will be given to the incredible growth of the Assemblies of God worldwide and the reasons for it.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-206 Introduction to Homiletics 1 Credit
This course is a basic study of the principles of preaching in a Pentecostal context. It examines various techniques of sermon preparation and delivery including the different types of sermons, the sources of materials, the construction of sermon components, and conducting the audience response. Attention will be given to the importance of interpreting the Bible appropriately in sermon preparation.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-207 Prison Epistles 1 Credit
This course examines in detail the New Testament books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. It includes consideration of the setting in which the books were written as well as the purpose for which they were written. Attention will be given to the application of the message of these books in the life of believers today.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-208 Romans: Justification by Faith 1 Credit
This course examines in detail the New Testament book of Romans. The focus will be on the major themes the Apostle Paul develops as he presents the Gospel to the believers in Rome.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOML-209 The Local Church in Evangelism 1 Credit
God's plan is for the local church to be the key for reaching its community and the world. This course will examine the Biblical basis for evangelism, beginning with the Great Commission, and the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. Consideration will also be given to Jesus' and the Apostles' evangelistic methods along with the importance and process of discipling new believers. The importance of the pastor's role in evangelism will be examined as well.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-301 Church Administration, Finance, and Law 1 Credit
It is important to realize that today a local church must also function as a business. This course is an overview of how business principles and procedures should be implemented in the local church in order for it to be able to fulfill successfully its mission. Financial and legal issues will be considered as well.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-302 Pentateuch 1 Credit
This course is a comprehensive survey of the story and content of the first five books of the Old Testament in their historical and cultural context. Consideration will be given to God's progressive revelation and the meaning and application of the Old Testament for Christian living.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-303 Pastoral Ministry 1 Credit
This course is a theological and practical study of the pastoral ministry in the local church from a Pentecostal perspective. Included is consideration of the importance of setting priorities in the pastor's personal and family life and how to function as pastor in order for the church to be healthy and reach its community. The role of accountability at all levels will be emphasized as well.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-304 Theology of Prayer and Worship 1 Credit
This course is an examination of the Biblical literature on prayer and worship from a Pentecostal perspective with the goal of assisting the student in developing his/her relationship with God. Individual and corporate prayer and worship will be considered with application to the life of the Church in today's world.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-305 Preaching in the Contemporary World 1 Credit
How does a preacher develop a sermon that will connect with his/her audience resulting in changed behavior while at the same time maintaining fidelity to the Bible as the Word of God? This course will consider the issue of how to create relevant and effective sermons in the United States that is rapidly growing post-Christian.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-306 Corinthian Correspondence 1 Credit
Paul's epistles to the believers in Corinth dealt with difficulties that continue to be an issue for the Church today. This course will examine the Corinthian correspondence to discover what it meant to first century believers for the purpose of being able to apply its principles in twenty-first century situations.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
SOMO-307 The Poetic Books 1 Credit
The wisdom literature constitutes a major part of the Old Testament. This course is a study of the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs to provide a foundation for their use in the life of the believer today. Additionally, their application in the church will be considered.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.