Frequently Asked Questions For

City Ministry Program

FAQ 01

What is the City Ministry Program? (CMP)

The City Ministry Program is a strategic urban education for pastors, parachurch ministers, seminary students, church planters, and emerging Christian leaders.

CMP exists to equip students with the practical tools they need right now to carry out their calling in NYC and the greater NYC area.

FAQ 02

Who teaches City Ministry Program Classes?

CMP Classes are taught by a diverse team of practitioners with decades of city pastoral experience. Some former & present teachers / facilitators include Dr. Matthew Hoskinson, Dr. Tremper Longman, Steve Cuss, Matt Perman, Carter Hinckley, Dr. Jim Salladin, John Starke, Beth Markham, Redeemer Counseling Services, Peter Ong, Katherine Leary Alsdorf and more.

FAQ 03

What classes can I take in the City Ministry Program?

The heart of CMP consists of four learning tracks or classes. Each class meets for three hours every week for two semesters (fall and spring) and includes a variety of modules or topics to give you a well rounded educational & practical experience.

The four classes presently being offered are:
• Leadership
• Mission
• Pastoring
• Communicating Scripture

FAQ 03

What classes can I take in the City Ministry Program?

The heart of CMP consists of four learning tracks or classes. Each class meets for three hours every week for two semesters (fall and spring) and includes a variety of modules or topics to give you a well rounded educational & practical experience.

The four classes presently being offered are:
• Leadership
• Mission
• Pastoring
• Preaching

FAQ 04

Do you have an overview of what I will learn in each class?

Yes! Here is an overview of what you will learn in each class. Every year, we tweak the classes so that it stays relevant to the needs you are facing as a practitioner in the city.

Leadership:
Leadership aims to develop you into a catalytic, Spirit-empowered leader for your church by equipping you with a wide range of skills to advance citywide gospel momentum.
Modules: Biblical Theology of Leadership, Self Leadership, Contextual Leadership, Adaptive Leadership,Catalytic Leadership, Team Leadership

Mission:
Mission trains you to grow and nurture communities of practical gospel witness, with a focus on how to do evangelism and apologetics in our late modern culture.
Modules: Justice & Mercy, Evangelism, Apologetics, Faith & Work

Pastoring:
Pastoring builds your pastoral toolkit and prepares you to be spiritual shepherds to the church by cultivating depth in your use of scripture for everyday ministry and showing you how to design pastoral care systems for your church.
Modules: Pastoral Theology & Ministry, Gospel Spirituality, Pastoral Counseling, Church Worship

Communicating Scripture:
Communicating Scripture teaches you how to proclaim Christ in a way that is faithful to the Scriptures, addressed to your cultural context, and compelling to your audience.
Modules: Communicating Christ, Communicating to the Culture, Communicating to the Heart, Exposition

FAQ 05

Do I get a certificate upon the completion of the City Ministry Program?

Yes! Upon completion participants receive a Certificate in Urban Ministry by Redeemer City to City or a certificate in the specific class completed, i.e. a Certificate in Leadership or a Certificate in Preaching.

FAQ 06

Why participate in the program?

Key features

Oriented around ministry competency — focused on spiritual formation and the cultivation of skills, practices, and disciplines necessary for city ministry

Integrated learning experience — blend of academic, pastoral, and practical components

Intimate cohort environment — low student to faculty ratio with time allotted for directed conversations, peer-to-peer learning, and open Q&A

Experienced urban faculty — modules led by urban-facing, gospel-centered practitioners

Urban networking — build transdenominational relationships with fellow ministers

Certification in city ministry — upon completion of the program

Flexible scheduling — afternoon and evening offerings with a rotating schedule of tracks

Reasonable pricing — Scholarships and church matching grants are available

FAQ 07

What is my time commitment for each class?

Each class is broken up into three parts for your convenience: pre-class work, in-class work and post-class work.

For pre-class work, your teacher / facilitator might provide some videos or readings that cover the topic that will be discussed in class. This will be about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

For in-person class, there will be a 2 hour live class (either on zoom or in-person). Post-class work will consist of follow-up assignments to help you implement what you would have learned in class. This will be about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Overall, expect around 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours of work and live instruction every week

FAQ 08

What are the requirements?

1. Completed application

2. Serve at least 5-10 hours a week in a ministry role (paid or unpaid), a non-profit role or presently serving or will serve in some leadership capacity at your church or non-profit.

3. Called to serve the movement of gospel ministry in NYC and the greater NYC area

FAQ 09

What are the program fees & costs?

Cost and financial aid
Each class costs $1,000 per semester ($2,000 for the entire year).

Financial aid is available for students along with a church matching grant program. You can apply for a scholarship during the application process.

FAQ 10

What does the overall schedule look like?

Schedule for (2024-2025)*

Classes will meet weekly during the following times:

Mission (Tuesdays, 3-5pm)

Communicating Scripture (Tuesdays, 6-8pm)

Pastoring (Wednesdays, 3-5pm)

Leadership (Wednesdays, 6-8pm)
* Classes will rotate every year so be sure to check class dates and times for 2024-25

FAQ 11

Are classes in-person or on zoom?

Approximately 25% of the classes (1 in 4 weeks) will meet in-person. The rest will be on zoom. Some classes might meet additionally in-person if there is a special guest or to enhance the learning experience. Please request a schedule to see specifically which classes are in-person and on zoom.

FAQ 12

How do I apply?

Enrollment process
If you would like to join one or more tracks for 2024–25, the enrollment process is quite simple—just three steps:

1. Complete the CMP Inquiry Form.

2. Someone from the CMP Team will connect with you to set up a 1 on 1 conversation about the program.

3. After the 1 on 1, we’ll send you an application. Fill it out and submit it.

4. We’ll schedule an interview with you to hear what God is doing in your life and how CMP will develop your ministry capacity.

FAQ 13

What is the deadline to apply for the 2024-2025 City Ministry Program?

New students have until May 30, 2024 to apply. This is also the last date for current students to apply for re-enrollment.

I still have questions. Can I talk with someone from the City to City team about this?

Shenaya Dias Classroom & Student Success Coordinator, City Ministry Program

Shenaya Dias works for Redeemer City to City as the Classroom and Student Success.

Coordinator for the City Ministry Program (CMP) at Redeemer City to City. She is originally from Negombo, Sri Lanka, but she has been in New York for the past four years. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics, Pre-Law from Fordham University. Prior to this position, Shenaya worked as a Paralegal Specialist for the US Department of Justice in Manhattan. She is also an unreached prayer writer for the Joshua Project. A fun fact about Shenaya, she used to be a competitive Ocean/Sea Swimmer back in Sri Lanka. Some of her hobbies include playing the piano and traveling.