MFCA Fall 2026 Courses

To meet the RCA requirements for the Certificate of Readiness for Examination (CRE), the MFCA requires all coursework to be submitted, and a grade must be earned after the course, even when registering for CRE Qualification.

Accessible through New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS)
August 31 – December 19, 2026

RCA Studies History, Mission, & Worship (DS508-01)–Instructor, Dr. J. Brumm, offered fully online with synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Tuesdays, 6:30–9:00 pm (EST)

HISTORY AND MISSIONS (PART III) The purpose of this course is to assist the student in understanding the historical development of the Reformed Church in America, with a special emphasis on the role and theology of its mission programs, within the context of the history of the global Christian church. The student will become conversant with the arc of RCA history and with how to engage primary source materials to dig deeper into that history and connect it to the work of local congregations, classes, and synods. WORSHIP (PART IV) This course is designed to introduce students to the Liturgy of the RCA, with special emphasis on how to lead worship, and especially the sacramental liturgies, creatively and meaningfully. Students will become familiar with the construction of the liturgies, the theological assumptions behind them, and will learn how to construct and adapt the liturgies in ways appropriate to the contexts in which they will serve.
Prerequisites: CH510, CH511, MS565 (Seminary course prerequisites can be discussed/clarified with the MFCA Director.)

3.0 Credits - $1,875* / CRE Qualification - $450

Our Christian Traditions in Context - CREDO (IN531-01)–Instructor, Dr. Jaeseung Cha, offered fully online with synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Mondays, 7:00 – 9:30 pm (EST) (Five Required Synchronous Dates: 8/31, 9/14, 10/05, 10/26, and 11/16)

This course will guide the student in a statement of faith that expresses the student’s understanding of the Christian faith, responsive to the theology of his/her tradition, and is appropriate to the context in which she/he ministers. This is the equivalent of the MFCA Credo course. 

Prerequisites:  RCA Standards & Polity; OT510; NT510; PC510; IN511; CH510 & 511; TH520 & 521; ET520; IN520 (Seminary course prerequisites can be discussed/clarified with the MFCA Director.)

3.0 Credits - $1,875* / CRE Qualification - $450

New Testament Greek I (NT511-01)–Instructor, Dr. J. Pettis, offered fully online with synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Saturdays, 12:00-2:30 pm (EST)

3.0 Credits - $1,875* / CRE Qualification - $450

This course is designed to introduce the student to Greek grammar and to develop superior skills in translating New Testament texts in the service of the church and the community.
No Prerequisites.

Accessible through Western Theological Seminary (WTS)
August 31 – December 18, 2026

RCA Standards & Polity (TH421-DL)-Instructor, Dr. S. Shaffer, offered as an asynchronous online learning course

This course introduces students to the standards and polity of the Reformed Church in America. Students learn about the history and content of the Book of Church Order and the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort, and the Belhar Confession, and apply these documents to life in the church today.

3.0 Credits - $1,338.75* / CRE Qualification - $450

Biblical Hebrew (BL310-DL)–Instructor, Dr. T. West, offered an asynchronous online learning course (A 3-day on-campus intensive will be part of this course/October 21-23, 2026)

An introduction to biblical Hebrew in its cultural context for those who seek to interpret the Bible faithfully and fully. Using multi-sensory and interactive approaches, students will learn the basic vocabulary, grammar, syntax and world view of the Old…

3.0 Credits - $1,338.75* / CRE Qualification - $450

*MFCA discount included

 Courses are only available to MFCA candidates.

MFCA Spring 2027 Courses

To meet the RCA requirements for the Certificate of Readiness for Examination (CRE), the MFCA requires all coursework to be submitted, and a grade must be earned after the course, even when registering for CRE Qualification.

Accessible through New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS)
January 25 – May 15, 2027

RCA Church Studies: Standards & Polity (DS507-01)–Instructor, Dr. L. Burlew Gold, offered fully online with synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Mondays, 6:30–9:00 pm (EST)

STANDARDS (PART I) The purpose of this course is to assist the student in obtaining an understanding of the history, content, and use of the Standards of Unity of the Reformed Church in America. The student will learn the historical contexts of their origins, the meaning of the standards within the framework of the history of theology and situate the standards within the life and ministry of the contemporary church. POLITY (PART II) This course is designed to introduce candidates to the office of minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America to the government of the Reformed Church in America. Students will learn the theology and polity that is expressed in the Book of Church Order and will learn how the polity works in the life and witness of the church. Prerequisites: CH510, CH511, TH510, TH511. (Seminary course prerequisites can be discussed/clarified with the MFCA Director.)

3.0 Credits - $1,875* / CRE Qualification - $450

New Testament Greek II (NT512-01)–Instructor, Dr. J Pettis, offered fully online with synchronous and asynchronous online learning.
Saturdays, 12:00–2:30 pm (EST)

This course is a continuation of NT511. This term students will continue to learn and strengthen their translation skills and exegetical skills

3.0 Credits - $1,875* / CRE Qualification - $450

Accessible through Western Theological Seminary (WTS)
January 11 – April 30, 2027

Credo (TH490-DL)-Instructor, Dr. S. McDonald, offered as an asynchronous online learning course

In this senior seminar, students will write a paper of approximately 25-35 pages in which they will give an account of their personal theology by articulating their beliefs concerning the central loci of Christian teaching, in conversation with their respective denominational traditions, and in language that can be understood by an educated church layperson. Prerequisite: RCA Standards and 2 semesters of Systematic Theology. (Seminary course prerequisites can be discussed/clarified with the MFCA Director.)

3.0 Credits - $1,338.75* / CRE Qualification - $450

Christian Interior Life (MN336-DL)–Instructor, Dr. C. DeGroat, offered an asynchronous online learning course (A 3-day on-campus intensive will be part of this course February 24-26, 2027) This course is an alternative to the CPE requirement.

This course explores the ways in which a minister’s life history, spiritual growth, and vocation intersect and shape his/her personal and professional identity. Students will reflect on their own psychological and spiritual development and their opportunities for personal growth. They will develop their own particular plans for self-care. 

3.0 Credits - $1,438.75* / CRE Qualification - $550

Biblical Interpretation for Ministry (BL120-DL)–Instructor, Dr. C. Pierce, offered an asynchronous online learning course. This is a special Hebrew and Greek tools course available by permission only. Contact Kelly Talsma at ktalsma@rca.org if you have an interest in taking this course.

This course explores biblical interpretive methods and online study tools and their application towards ministry settings. No language prerequisite. 

3.0 Credits - $1,338.75* / CRE Qualification - $450

*MFCA discount included

 Courses are only available to MFCA candidates.