Integral Ministry

Integral Ministry Certificate Program

The Integral Ministry Certificate Program is designed to be an alternative ministry practice that is an antidote to the decline of congregational ministry. Unlike the 400-year-old “plop, pray and pay” pastor / flock model of ministry, the IMCP focuses on a holistic or integral approach to ministry practice. Based on the work of Ken Wilber (Theory of Everything), Don Beck (Spiral Dynamics), Paul Smith (Integral Christianity), Jim Lockard (Being the Beloved Community), Bruce Sanguin (The Emerging Church), Fredrick Laloux (Reinventing Organizations), Cindy Wigglesworth (SQ21) and other luminaries, the IMP works to embrace ministry as a "living system" capable of evolving and adapting to changing circumstances.

What is the Integral Ministry Certificate Program?

Purpose of the Program

The purpose of the IM certificate program is to equip New Thought ministry leaders and individuals with an understanding of ministry as a living system and the capacity to facilitate an integral approach to ministry cultural evolution. This program offers a new paradigm of ministry practice that is centered upon the fulfillment of purpose in people’s lives. It is a departure from our current ministry practice and its tithing-based funding model to the formation of a “spiritual cooperative” that develops the values of ownership, partnership, self-responsibility, and personal integrity.

Who Can Enroll?

The Integral Ministry Certificate Program is open to all New Thought ministry leaders—ministers, board / council members, LUT’s / CSL practitioners, and lay leaders.

How is the program structured?

The yearlong IM Certificate Program consists of 4 quarters / terms—each containing ten 2-hour
virtual learning sessions for a total of 80 collaborate course room hours. Students will interact with media presentations, reading assignments, and written exercises prior to each online session, culminating in 2 – 3 hours of additional weekly prep time. During each session, students will participate in discussion, group work, and other learning experiences. All online sessions are recorded in the event a student is unable to attend. Credit for the absence will be given upon completion of written assignments for the missed class, providing that the student watches the video recording of the missed session.

Post program certificate holders will have access to free monthly online coaching sessions conducted by Dr. Gary for those wishing to join the community of Integral Ministry Practitioners. These monthly sessions are offered to support those seeking to implement the IM in the field.

What is the source of the course material and subject matter?

The Integral Ministry certificate program is taught by the Revs. Drs. Gary and Jane Simmons and is based upon their lived experience serving at Unity Spiritual Center Spokane for nearly six years, as well as the milestones of Dr. Gary’s client ministries. For over a decade, the Simmons’ have consulted with Ken Wilber and other integral luminaries as they sought to apply integral principles to address the opportunities and challenges of congregational ministry in these chaordic times.

Who is the Integral Ministry program for?

The IMCP is best suited for those ministry leaders who consider themselves “early adopters.” If you tend to be pragmatic or skeptical of new and innovative approaches, this program will be a challenge. The program is ideal for ministers taking on a new ministry or for transition ministry specialists who are seeking to evolve their clients out of their challenging past.

If you are a retired minister, minister of record, burned out, or “done with church”, yet have energy for something that can matter to struggling churches, this program is definitely for you. If you serve in a ministry without a minister or are seeking new ministerial leadership, consider sending someone to the course to get a head start on evolving your ministry out of its patterns of minister-centrism.

If you are a Licensed Unity Teacher or CSL Practitioner who wishes to support cultural and consciousness evolution in your ministry, this program is a game changer. If you are newly ordained or licensed, taking on your first ministry, get started on the right track with the IMCP.

What are the costs of the program?

The tuition is $5500 if paid in four quarterly payments of $1,375. Tuition is $5000, if paid in full at the time of registration. Partial scholarships are available through Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute.

Does the tuition include manuals, workbooks and / or texts?

Most of the materials are provided in the course. There are several books required that must be purchased by the student (see required book list). A complimentary SQ21 assessment is included in the course (a $150 value).

Are there any prerequisites to the IM program?

Students are required to have participated in the 21-day Quantum Living Process prior to Quarter 2 of the IMCP due to its importance in the coursework. See www.theartofquantumliving.com.