AN APCE MICRO-CREDENTIAL PROGRAM
Building Blocks of Faith Formation
for a New Generation…
2027 Focus: Ministry with Children
Practical learning. Experienced guidance. A community growing together.
Want to feel more confident in your ministry with children and the people who nurture their faith?
Whether you're a volunteer Sunday School teacher, church educator, pastor, lay leader, or simply someone who cares about helping the next generation grow in faith, Building Blocks of Faith Formation for a New Generation…with Children offers practical learning, experienced guidance, and a community of people learning alongside you.
PROGRAM FEE
$75
+ Annual Event registration
LEARNING PATHWAY
20 Credit Hours
Across the full experience
PARTICIPATION
In Person or Online
Annual Event registration required
PRACTICAL LEARNING
No Tests. No Grades.
Learn, practice, connect & grow
What Is a Micro-Credential?
An APCE Micro-Credential is a focused learning experience designed to strengthen your skills and confidence without the commitment of a certification or graduate program.
No tests. No papers. No grades.
Just practical learning, meaningful connections, and support for the ministry you're already doing.
How Do I Earn the Micro-Credential?
Complete a 20-credit-hour learning pathway connected to the APCE Annual Event, with both in-person and online participation options.
1
Register
Register for either the in-person APCE Annual Event or the Annual Event Online, and add the $75 Micro-Credential Program.
2
Begin with Becky Davis
Participate in the required Tuesday core learning experience led by Rev. Rebecca Davis.
3
Choose Workshops
Complete at least two of the six designated workshops. You may take up to all six and have them count toward your Micro-Credential.
4
Keep Growing
Participate in a six-session online cohort over six months to reflect, apply your learning, and complete the Micro-Credential pathway.
REQUIRED CORE LEARNING
Build a Foundation
Begin with a focused day of learning that explores foundations for ministry with children and families and connects you with others participating in the Micro-Credential program.
Tuesday Pre-Annual Event Learning Experience
Core Program Leader
Rev. Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis is Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. She brings deep experience in Christian education and faith formation and will guide participants through the foundational learning that anchors this Micro-Credential.
Building Blocks of Faith Formation for a New Generation…with Children
Building Blocks of Faith Formation for a New Generation…with Children equips leaders to create ministries with children and families that shape identity, foster belonging, and nurture discipleship. Participants will explore foundations and frameworks for developing dynamic, relevant ministries that cultivate a deep love of God and neighbor and sustain lifelong faith and discipleship.
FOUNDATIONS
Why is ministry with children and families essential?
Explore biblical and theological foundations for ministry with children.
FRAMEWORKS
How do we move from vision to ministry?
Explore shaping the vision, building structures that sustain it, and developing a team to bring that vision to life.
FOCUS
Where can we strengthen our skills?
Consider ministry beyond Sunday mornings, families on the go, equipping parents, nurturing a thinking faith, and enriching faith through liturgical seasons.
Learn Alongside the APCE Community
Continue your learning during the APCE Annual Event by choosing from six specially selected workshops focused on children’s ministry and faith formation.
At least two workshops are required. You may take up to all six and have them count toward your Micro-Credential.
A105
Good Bones: Evaluating and Adapting Children’s Curriculum
Rebecca Davis
B202
Sexuality and Faith: Talking with Children
Debbie Gline Allen and Sarah Lohrbach
C301
Wonderfully Wired: Nurturing Children’s Faith Through a Neurodivergent Lens
Michelle Junkin
D401
Reimagining Children’s Faith Formation in a Changing Landscape
Karen Hammond and Julie Emery
E603
Cultivating a Creative Classroom for Young Disciples
Brianna Bamberg
E604
Vision, Understanding, and Creativity: Leadership for Educational Ministries
Rebecca Davis
Annual Event registration is part of the Micro-Credential experience.
Participants register for either the in-person APCE Annual Event or the Annual Event Online. The required core learning experience and all six designated workshops are available to Micro-Credential participants through the Annual Event.
6
SESSIONS OVER
SIX MONTHS
Put Your Learning into Practice
After the Annual Event, join a small online cohort led by an experienced faith formation educator. Over six sessions across six months, you'll share ideas, ask questions, reflect on what you're trying, and encourage one another as you put your learning into practice.
All cohort gatherings are online.
What Will I Gain?
Learning designed to strengthen the ministry you're already doing.
Practical tools & ideas
Resources and approaches you can use right away.
Greater confidence
Grow in your gifts and leadership.
A stronger foundation
Deepen your ability to nurture the faith of the next generation.
Relationships
Connect with others doing similar ministry.
Guidance & encouragement
Learn alongside experienced faith formation educators.
Recognition from APCE
Receive a Micro-Credential you can share with your congregation or ministry leadership.
Who Is This For?
This experience is designed for volunteers, Sunday School teachers, church educators, pastors, commissioned and lay leaders, and others involved in faith formation—whether you're new to the work or have been doing it for years.
You don't need a particular title, degree, or number of years of experience. You simply need a desire to learn and grow.
Join Us in Portland—or Participate Online
If you can join us in Portland, we'd love to have you there! There's something special about learning face-to-face, sharing conversations between sessions, and building relationships as part of the larger APCE Annual Event community.
We also know that travel isn't possible for everyone. You may complete the Annual Event portion of the Micro-Credential through Annual Event Online. The required core learning experience and all six designated workshops are available online.
Whether you're with us in Portland or joining online, you'll be part of a community learning, connecting, and growing together.
You Already Have Gifts for Ministry.
Let's Help You Strengthen Them.
A Micro-Credential is an accessible next step—a place to learn, practice, connect, and grow.
For some, it will provide new skills and confidence for the ministry they're already doing. For others, it may open the door to certification, seminary, or possibilities they haven't yet imagined.
Wherever you are in your ministry journey, there's room to take the next step.
$75 MICRO-CREDENTIAL FEE + ANNUAL EVENT REGISTRATION
Have questions about the Micro-Credential? Marie Couts would be happy to help.
[email protected]
