COPP PROGRAM
Metropolitan District Congress of Christian Education
Detroit, Michigan
The Christian Leadership
Certificate of Progress Program
Sister Priscilla Ann Turner, Dean
History & Objectives | The Process | Phase Requirements | COPP Fees | Course Evaluation Forms (Sunday School Publishing Board) | 2014-2015 COPP Opportunities | Online Learning Opportunity
HISTORY & OBJECTIVES
The Certificate of Progress Program (COPP), organized at the Sunday School Publishing Board in October 1937, is designed to produce qualified church leaders who will lead church members into the twenty-first century.
Dr. Marshall A. Talley has been credited as the person who instituted the Certificate of Progress Program (COPP). The COP Program was organized on a five-year trial basis. In 1978, Dr. Amos Jones, Jr., newly named director of the Christian Education Department of the Sunday School Publishing Board, undertook the leadership of the COP Program to take it to heights previously unknown in the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
The objectives of the Certificate of Progress Program are:
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To increase Biblical knowledge;
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To create an understanding of the Baptist church;
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To provide an educational structure that will develop candidates qualified for teaching and leadership positions;
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To provide incentives for the candidate to complete the program; and
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To produce trained church leaders.
Persons currently enrolled in the Certificate of Progress Program (COPP) are challenged to meet new objectives and to prepare their skills for teaching.
THE PROCESS
Persons wishing to enter the Certificate of Progress Program must follow specific procedures for enrollment. Candidates must:
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Select a Dean of Record;
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Complete and submit a Form 9-Application for Admission to the Certificate of Progress Program. (see forms)
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Purchase the Student Handbook
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Subscribe to the Christian Education Informer
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Where candidates have any religious credits from colleges, universities, or seminaries, submit this validated information your Dean of Record for evaluation and possible substitution for required courses listed in the Certificate of Progress Program
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Ensure that all applications for each of the four phases have the required signatures from the candidate, a local minister, and a dean of record.
PHASE REQUIREMENTS
The Program is divided into four phases, namely:
Phase 1: The biblical foundation courses (All courses are required; there will be no electives in this phase)
- 1004 Effective Bible Reading
- 1007 Introduction to the Old Testament
- 1072 Introduction to the New Testament
- 2007 Christian Stewardship
- 3008 History of Christianity
- 6021 Spiritual Formation
Phase 2: Historical courses
- 1075 The Synoptic Gospels
- 2011 Baptist Doctrine
- 4012 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- 7024 Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
- 9004 Writing Techniques I
- Two Outside Writing Assignments (Each assignment should be a minimum of two, typed, double-spaced pages):
- ASSIGNMENT 1: "Salvation Through Jesus Christ"
- ASSIGNMENT 2: "The Role of Christian Education in the Local Church"
Phase 3: Nurturing foundation courses
- 1079 Survey of John
- 1089 Survey of Romans
- 3007 History of Baptists
- 7005 Christian Evangelism
- 9005 Writing Techniques II
- Elective
- One Outside Writing Experience (This paper must be at least five pages in length, typed, and double-spaced. There should be at least five to seven different references.):
- ASSIGNMENT: "Contemporary Issues Affecting the Church"
Phase 4: Spiritual growth courses
- 1112 Survey of Revelation
- 2015 Foundation of Christian Ethics
- 6013 Organizing the Church for Christian Education
- 9024 The Computer in the Life of the Church
- 8066 Christianity and Contemporary Issues
- Elective
- One Outside Writing Experience (This paper must be at least seven pages in length and no more than ten pages, typed, and double-spaced.):
- ASSIGNMENT: Write a position paper related to one of the doctrines of the Baptist church. Consider two other denominations and contrast the beliefs. Provide at least ten different references along with strong biblical support for your position.
Teacher Certification Courses
- 2023 Creative Ways of Teaching
- 9008 Public Speaking
Pastor's Alternative for Teacher Certification
- See Dean of Record
Pastor's Advanced Training
- See Dean of Record
Classes can be taken in any order, but each phase must be completed sequentially within a five-year period of commencing the phase. After the completion of phases I, II, and III the student is awarded a Certificate of Completion and a Christian Education Diploma after Phase IV.
By June 1, of each year, the Christian Education Department's Certificate of Progress Program Office will submit to the Congress Dean a list of persons who wish to receive their Certificate of Progress on Commencement Day at the National Congress.
COPP FEES
All forms are available from your Dean of Record. You can preview the forms by visiting the Sunday School Publishing Board's site.
COPP Admission Application $ 25.00
COPP Application Phases I, II, III $ 80.00
COPP Application Phases IV/Diploma $ 90.00
Christian Education Informer Subscription
One Year $ 30.00
Two Years $ 49.00
Three Years $ 74.00
Five Years $122.00
The above fees are effective as of December 1, 2010
COPP Evaluation Forms
Students must complete necessary evaluation forms. Instructors'/Candidate Evaluation forms are to be submitted at the conclusion of each phase to the Dean of Records, along with other documentation, as evidence of phase completion.
2014-2015 COPP Opportunities
A partial listing of certified schools in Michigan is provided below. Email us to add your school or COPP Opportunity.
| Metropolitan District Congress of Christian Education |
Dean Priscilla Turner |
| Galilee Christian Leadership School | Dean Dorothy Hamilton 313.585.9613 |
| Second Baptist Christian Leadership Institute | Dean Cecelia Dawson 313.330.5060 |
| Tabernacle Christian Education Week | Dean Oscar Carter 313.898.3325 |
Dexter Avenue Baptist Church
13500 Dexter Avenue
corner of Davison
Detroit, Michigan 48238
313-869-4878
Deacon Michael Carter, Deacon-In-Charge
Fall Christian Education Institute
A Certified School as authorized by the DCEAC*
Monday 10/27 - Wednesday 10/29
4:30pm-8:00pm
Registration Fee: $15.00
Dinner served each night
Certified Courses
Elective # 1045 Isaiah - Part II Chapters 40-66 (Pastor Allen Langford)
Phase 3 # 1089 Survey of Romans (Rev. Travis Johnson)
Elective # 2023 Creative Ways of Teaching (Dean Barbara Larkin)
Phase 2 # 4012 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Rev. Yvonne Posey-Gilchrist)
Phase 2 # 7024 Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts (Dr. Anthony King, Sr.)
Non-Certified Courses
Workshop: Book of Daniel (Sister Evelyn Preston)
Workshop: Leadership in the Local Church (Dr. Patricia Butler)
For more information contact Sister Elizabeth Jones at 313-345-2441 or Sister Cecelia M. Dawson, Dean at 313-330-5060
*Department of Christian Education Accreditation and Credentials of the Sunday School Publishing Board
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Online Learning Opportunity
If you are interested in the Certificate of Progress Program, contact Dean Priscilla Turner at priscilla57turner@yahoo.com
After receiving the information from Dean Turner:
- Go to the JOIN US page to register as a user.
- View COPP classes offered on the DEAN/MEDCEE page.
- Email Dean Priscilla Turner (priscilla57turner@yahoo.com) with your request to enroll in the COPP program. Indicate what classes you would like to take.
- After you have received an acknowledgment from Dean Turner, visit the Online Learning Link to view syllabus, course requirements and book list.
Visit our online learning environment! http://www.metropolitanbaptistdistrict.org/apps/onlinelearning
