Free Methodist World Missions requires that all ExT missionaries complete the following coursework before departing for the mission field. Candidates and new missionaries are expected to cover the costs of their coursework, though in some cases, these costs may be built into the start-up budget as a part of new missionary fundraising.
For missionary couples, each spouse is considered a missionary, so each must complete the required coursework.
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, offered by the US Center for World Mission, is a dynamic course in which you'll discover what God is doing around the world and consider your part in His purposes. With over 600 instructors and more than 150 locations annually, over 6,000 people are exposed to some of the most innovative missions minds each year. Perspectives is taught by professors, missionaries, and teachers who have seen God at work all over the world. Perspectives is offered throughout the year at extension sites across the U.S. and Canada, and can also be taken online (online participants have one year to complete the course) – however, those who take the online course should be aware that in the absence of the lectures offered by the classroom experience, the workload (such as reading and writing responses) of the online version can be very significant. It is acceptable for FMWM missionaries to take the course via self-study, and the certificate level is adequate (i.e. college credit is not needed for our purposes). Costs vary, depending on how the course is taken – visit www.perspectives.org for more details, prices, and course locations. If you have previously taken a course that is similar to Perspectives and would like to find out if it could satisfy this requirement, send the details of the course to us for a determination (ExploreMissions@gmail.com).
The following four courses are available through the Free Methodist Church via correspondence, during January term at the World Ministries Center, through some colleges and seminaries, and sometimes through annual conferences. They are similar to the requirements for those seeking ordination, so pastors (or those who have been to seminary) applying to become missionaries may have already completed them – if you have had a similar course and want to find out if it will fit the requirements, please e-mail information about the class you took to us (ExploreMissions@gmail.com).
Correspondence courses must be finished in eight months, and must be started one month after registration. Grades are based on the assignments and any required projects. J-term courses last one week per course. Differences between correspondence and J-term are slightly different tuition charges, the addition of housing costs for J-term, and an emphasis on lecture and classroom discussion during J-term, versus more reading and writing assignments for correspondence courses. Some J-term courses involve tests, and correspondence courses vary as to test and final exam requirements.
1. Free Methodist History and Polity
Via correspondence, this course involves assigned reading and 16 lessons, plus a small project at the end. Correspondence cost is $90 plus books. J-term cost is $100 plus travel, lodging and books.
2. How to Study the Bible (Inductive Bible Study)
Via correspondence, this course involves assigned reading and 16 lessons. Correspondence cost is $90 plus books. J-term cost is $100 plus travel, lodging and books.
3. Introduction to Christian Doctrine
Via correspondence, this course involves assigned reading and 16 lessons. The “final exam” project is to write a sermon on sanctification. Correspondence cost is $90 plus books. J-term cost is $100 plus travel, lodging and books. Note that this course is a pre-requisite for Wesleyan Theology.
4. Wesleyan Theology
Via correspondence, this course involves assigned reading and 24 lessons, plus an ongoing glossary project. Correspondence cost is $135 plus books. J-term cost is $150 plus travel, lodging and books. Intro to Christian Doctrine is a pre-requisite for this course.
To check your ordination records regarding completed coursework, or to find out when and where courses will be offered, contact Sylvia Fox (800-342-5531, ext. 308, or sylviaf@fmcna.org).
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