SC5 School of Theology (Lay School)
Equipping Ruling Elders and Church Leaders
SC5 School of Theology is sponsored by the five presbyteries in South Carolina: Charleston-Atlantic, Foothills, New Harmony, Providence, and Trinity.
The Spring Semester is scheduled for March 27 & 28, 2026 at Presbyterian College.
Registration will open in late January 2026.
Who attends the SC5 School of Theology?
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- Church Leaders interested in learning more.
- Ruling Elders interested in learning more.
- Ruling Elders interested in being commissioned to serve and lead congregations.
- Faith Formation Leaders interested in better equipping themselves to teach.
When? Classes are held in the Spring (usually March) and Fall (usually October) each year.
Where? At Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC
Additional benefits:
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- Fellowship: connecting with other Presbyterian leaders in the state
- Collaboration: learning from and with other participants and faculty
Classes are held on a Friday and Saturday. Sessions begin on Friday early afternoon with class. Then we have dinner together in the Dining Hall. An additional class session is held in the evening, as well as a evening vespers. Classes continue Saturday morning with a break for lunch on campus. We join together in worship prior to our last class session on Saturday afternoon. Students in the Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) or Commissioned Pastor (CP) track will complete a project that you submit to your professor for grading following the weekend of classes.
SC5 School of Theology offers Two Tracks
The SC5 School of Theology offers a two-track approach for training church leaders. Ordained or non-ordained students may enroll in the Enrichment Track (ET). The Commissioned Ruling Elder Track (CRE) is provided for Ruling Elders who want to become Commissioned Ruling Elder candidates. Students will enroll and attend the same classes. Students in the CRE track will complete a take-home assignment for grading.
CRE Track students must receive endorsement from their Session and from the Committee on Ministry of Presbytery. Once the endorsement is complete, a copy of the form should be sent to the registrar of the school.
TRACK 1: ENRICHMENT
TRACK 2: COMMISSIONED RULING ELDERS
CRE Track participants are assigned a take-home project (exam, essay, or other assignment) to be completed and submitted to the professor by a certain date. The professor submits the grades for each semester to the SC5 School of Theology Registrar, who updates each student’s record. Participants receive a Diploma upon completion of the required eight courses.
After receiving a Diploma, students are required to take one refresher course per year for continuing education.
SC5 School of Theology Courses
1. Old Testament Survey (Spring)
2. New Testament Survey (Fall)
3. Reformed Theology (Fall)
4. Polity (Spring)
5. Church History (Spring)
6. Pastoral Care (Fall)
7. Worship and Sacraments (Spring)
8. Preaching (Fall) (not required for Enrichment Track certificate)
9. Elective – one elective is offered each semester
SC5 School of Theology Leadership
- Debbie Foster (Foothills Presbytery Leader/Stated Clerk), Dean of the SC5 School of Theology
- Robin Morris (Foothills Presbytery Associate Stated Clerk), Registrar for the SC5 School of Theology
- Michele Jones (Charleston Atlantic Presbytery Office Administrator), Treasurer for the SC5 School of Theology.
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- Charleston Atlantic: Henry Meeuwse, Bo Hamilton, Irene Whaley
- Foothills: Elizabeth Jones, Jeff Motes
- New Harmony: Elijah Washington, Chuck Staggs, Delicia Harper-Baxter
- Providence: Max Russell, Philip Wright
- Trinity: Ray Bell, Virginia Peterkin
How Do I Get Started?
- Complete the registration process.
- Purchase the selected textbook for your class.
- If you choose the CRE track, complete the SC5 School of Theology Endorsement Form: At the beginning of this educational journey, students are required to have the endorsement of the Session from their home church.
Commissioned Ruling Elders
When a Ruling Elder has completed all requirements and has received a call to serve a church or in a Validated Ministry, the Ruling Elder must work with the presbytery on the call and to be examined to be commissioned.
Spring 2026 (March 27 & 28) Semester Courses
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- Old Testament (Core)
- Church History (Core)
- Worship & Sacraments (Core)
- Presbytery Polity (Core)
- Elective I (Elective)*
- Elective II (Elective)*
* To be determined
Additional Forms & Resources
Students from Charleston Atlantic, New Harmony, Providence, and Trinity, please contact your presbyteries for presbytery specific requirements.
