The Certificate in Non-profit Management for Religious Professionals and Faith-Based Leaders is for early to mid-stage professionals working in faith-based organizations, congregations, and community ministries. This certificate equips learners with both practical skills and theoretical resources to effectively steward their organization and ministry, including how to operate an organization, supervise staff, and manage volunteers; how to develop financial tools and budgets; strategy and planning; program development and evaluation; board development; and forecasting and risk assessment.
The 75-hour certificate is comprised of synchronous and asynchronous learning over three unique courses*. The certificate can be completed in as short as 9 months. The certificate is taught by Ann Verdine-Jones, MBA-HR, along with industry experts.
Registration is closed.
Organizational Leadership & Management
Course number: NPM 101
Tuesdays, October 8 – November 12, 2024
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Central
Individual Course Cost: $360
Registration is closed.
This course equips leaders with the tools to set direction, develop and lead collaborative teams, manage conflict, recruit, hire, and supervise employees, and work effectively with volunteers and board members. Through readings, mini-lectures, and guided discussions, participants will gain an understanding of how to lead, manage, and support their organizations and their people.
Course number: NPM 102
Tuesdays, February 18 – March 25, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Central
Individual Course Cost: $360
Registration is closed.
This course equips leaders with tools and strategies for the ministry of finance and stewardship. Leaders will learn the fundamentals of budgeting and accounting, reporting and analyzing financial health, forecasting, and taxes and legal compliance. Through readings, mini-lectures, and guided discussions, participants will gain an understanding of how to steward financial resources in alignment with mission and ministry.
Course number: NPM 103
Tuesdays, April 29 – May 20, 2025
11:00 am – 1:00 pm Central
Individual Course Cost: $360
Registration closes: April 22, 2025
In this course, religious professionals and faith-based leaders identify a need specific to their context and develop a resource to address that need in consultation with the instructor. Projects might include a staffing plan with professional objectives and long-term success goals; a strategic planning toolkit including screen and evaluation; policies and procedures handbooks; or a progressive discipline policy.
Please note: Learners are required to take Organizational Leadership and Management (NP101) and The Ministry of Finance (NP102) as prerequisites.
Ann Verdine-Jones, MBA is a Human Resource professional with more than 30 years of experience. While Ann has successfully managed all areas of HR, her recent ventures include consulting with organizations nationally on strategic initiatives, leadership development, cross-sectional team building and employee resource groups, and diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility. Ann has developed workshops that promote intersectional dialogue and she has collaborated as a principal thought leader to chief professionals nationwide. Ann has served as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) consultant to General Assembly and Conference Services enabling her to facilitate workshops and trainings on DEI&B as well as act as a resource for relevant activities. She has also partnered with LIGHT to facilitate a six-week course entitled “The Business of Ministry” which was designed specifically for faith leaders to integrate traditional business principles with the unique challenges and needs of religious organizations.
“Business knowledge equips faith leaders with a comprehensive set of skills that are essential for the effective management and growth of their respective organizations,” says Ann. “This series will help fulfill the participant’s spiritual mission while also addressing practical and administrative challenges. In addition, the series integrates core business concepts with the specific context and needs of faith-based communities, providing practical tools and strategies to enhance organizational efficiency, financial stability, and community impact. This certificate aims to empower faith leaders with the business acumen necessary to lead their organizations effectively, ensuring that they can meet both spiritual and operational goals.”