IFD Certification in
Rural Ministry
The Bible is, in many ways, a rural text. It relates to people with industrial, agrarian, and small-town leanings. Even Jesus, often present in urban settings, teaches using small town and country metaphors. Through this certification, learners will gain Biblical, theological, and practical knowledge that will assist them in leading well in rural settings.
Develop tools to make a big impact in your ministry and gain a network of other Christians in rural ministry from around the country!
Certification Details
The IFD Certification in Rural Ministry requires just four 6-week courses of $125 each — a total of $500.
- Certification courses must be completed in order. Courses will be taught on a yearly rotation.
- Once you begin, you can complete all the courses you need for certification in just one year!
- First courses in the certification cycles are offered in either January or August, with some certifications relaunching at both times.
- This program is taught online via Blackboard Learn. Courses are mostly asynchronous, meaning you can complete the work at the time most convenient for your schedule. Daily engagement on the Discussion Board with peers, required reading, and assignments ensure a quality learning experience. Some courses offer a required or optional live video-based session – see individual course descriptions for more details.
2024 Course Dates:
October 14 – November 22, 2024
2025 Course Dates:
January 20 – February 28, 2025
March 17 – May 2, 2025 (no class during Holy Week, 4/14-18)
August 18 – Sept 26, 2025
October 13 – Nov 21, 2025
Certification Course List
Enroll in the first course!
If the first course is full, or is not currently enrolling, you will be able to sign up for course opening notifications.
Meet the Instructors
Sandra Perl
Sandi Perl has extensive experience with rural ministry, in addition to decades of academic training. She has lived in rural upstate New York all her life, and “big” churches in her community routinely have fewer than 250 persons in attendance. As a Licensed Local Minister in the United Methodist Church, she served 15 years in rural ministry before her retirement in 2022. In addition to bachelor’s degrees in social work and in management, Sandy has earned a master’s degree in education, a master’s degree in divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry degree.