LAMP Seminary

Seminary for the working man

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Transfer of LAMP Training Credits to Another Institution?
Answer= The decision to accept credits earned at LAMP is at the discretion of the receiving institution. The United States Department of Education (USDOE) wrote in its publication on accreditation, that “Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned in another institution…[A]cceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution… [F]or this reason…students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired…

“All degree programs of LAMP Theological Seminary are intended for religious training in ecclesiastical vocations and are taught from the perspective of a Christian world-and-life view. We encourage all students to consider the above recommendation of the USDOE prior to enrolling with LAMP. This is especially important since the USDOE will not even ensure transfer of credits from one of their own accredited institutions to another.

Q2. Where do students submit their applications?
Answer= LAMP’s Local Learning Site

Q3. What is Experiential Learning?
Answer= Experiential Learning means the recognition of practical skills and competencies which the student has developed outside the classroom.

Q4. Can our church or ministry become a Learning Site?
Answer= Yes, please contact LAMP’s Main Office for more details

Q5. Is LAMP student body limited to PCA ordainable men? Other denominations accepted?
Answer= LAMP student body is not limited to PCA ordainable men. Other denominations are accepted, however, our curriculum has a Presbyterian and Reformed flavor.

Q6. Women and LAMP. If a woman wants to participate as a student, does LAMP have a policy?
Answer= LAMP Training encourages all interested prospective students to apply for admission. Men and women are welcome to participate in LAMP. Note: LAMP is committed to the biblical teaching that the ordained office of pastor/teacher is exclusively for men; however, we believe that women should be equipped for ministry in the church.

Q7. Mentor qualifications?
Answer= Preferably ordained with a standard equivalent to the PCA requirements. However, a church supervisor/director is allowed

Q8. Can a LAMP student also be mentor?
Answer=NO

Q9. In order to get a degree, what is required and what is not required?
Answer=All course work, including independent studies and GLEEs courses, must be completed.

Q10. Are new students added to class cohort?
Answer= In a perfect world, it will be better for it to start a new cohort, especially if there are plenty of students that warrants for this method. The reason being is that the first (2) classes help weed out the students who lack commitment and a clear sense of a call. Nevertheless, LAMP has in the past allowed students to join an existing cohort as long as:

  • There is a written petition of recommendation from the student’s local session (or church pastor if outside bound of PCA) regarding the level of maturity of the student
  • Male student will start a under-care process with Presbytery (must be started within first year of LAMP)
  • There is no objection for the Learning Site (First decision maker)
  • There will be a plan for the students to make up the classes missed later
  • The student is not under any disciplinary action by a local church or educational institution (may be appealed in writing if disciplinary action was unwarranted, the preponderant of proof lies within the student)

Q11. What is a Ministry Supervisor?
Answer – With regards to ministry supervisor: He/she is the person in the church you answer for ministry. For example if your currently ministry as a Sunday School Teacher, you might have to answer to a Children’s Director, Education committee or an Elder.  This person knows you in a working environment within the walls of the church ministry and knows your personality, strengths and weakness.  This is a third observer of your character within the church so the GLEE’s can be more objective.

Q12. What are the writing standards for papers at LAMP?
Answer – LAMP wants students to become familiar with the MLA style of writing that is used in academics circles. For examples, please visit a college web site at Purdue.edu. There you will find All Sections in MLA Formatting and Style Guide which include:

  1. General Format
  2. In-Text Citations: The Basics
  3. In-Text Citations : Author-Page Style
  4. Formatting Quotations
  5. Footnotes and Endnotes
  6. Works Cited Page: Basic Format
  7. Works Cited Page: Books
  8. Works Cited: Periodicals
  9. Works Cited: Electronic Sources
  10. Works Cited: Other Non-Print Sources
  11. Additional Resources –

Q13. Does LAMP offer Distance Education? 
Answer – No! In order to attend classes at LAMP there must be a Learning Site near you. If there is none, your church can apply to become one. The process is laid out for you in our link Learning Site. Depending of needs and resources, one pastor can function in all 3 areas (Facilitator, Mentor & Coordinator) as longs as he meets the qualifications. You or any member of your church can contact LAMP to clarify this process if necessary.

Q14. What is the length of commitment for each class?
Answer – The length of each class is six weeks. Meeting length times can vary from 120 to 150 minutes.

Q15. Preparation time expectation for Facilitators- How much preparation time will a Facilitator need to devote each week to the class?
Answer – The preparation will vary, but it should not be more than a couple of hours each week (we recommend one hour).

Q16. Is it possible for students to participate in some classes but not others?  (E.g. in the event the candidate is already knowledgeable in some areas.)
Answer – is at the discretion of the students if they want to retake a class that LAMP has accepted as transfer from other institution.

Q17. Is it possible to participate in the program as a member of another denomination? 
Answer – Students from any denomination are welcome to participate in LAMP. In fact we currently have students coming from the Anglican Church and Baptist backgrounds. –