For more than 100 years the name Cook has been associated with Native American Education in the United States, Canada and the Marshall Islands. Programs have been taught both on our former Tempe campus and in hundreds of reservation churches and other locations.  Cook has produced Christian leaders, pastors, teachers, educators, and community leaders from across the nation and beyond.

Continuing that mission, we are still offering our Annual Winter and Summer Terms, and the Commissioned Lay Pastors Courses (CLP), geared to the Native American Community and available to anyone interested.  We expect to expand the CLP program locations in 2012.

Cook has the ability, personnel, and insights to develop programs and workshops to meet the specific needs of your church or community. Please feel free to contact us about your needs or concerns and learn how Cook can work with you in ministry.  Please read the "Grants" section of this web site.

Winter Term

For over 30 years, Cook has offered a wide variety of courses appropriate to the needs and interests of Native and non-Native participants, both clergy and non-clergy. They cover many subjects of general interest, and in the past have ranged from Teaching and Leadership Skills, to Bible Study and Native American Faith and Culture. These programs are usually held in January and average four days in length.

The courses are led by some of the finest Native and non-Native instructors in the country

Winter Term previously scheduled for January 22-27, 2012 has been suspended due
to instructor unavailability and the Board's active CEO search.

Please check back for more information

Instructors, dates and location TBA

For more information about our Winter Term programs, please contact
Della Pena Phone: 480.968.9354 ext.144

Summer Term

Like our popular annual Winter Term Courses, our Summer Term Programs offer a variety of courses appropriate to the needs and interests of Native and non-Native participants, both clergy and laity.

The courses are also led by some of the finest Native and non-Native instructors in the country

Summer Term 2012 dates:  September 9-13, 2012  "CLP Open House"
Please check back for more information

Instructors and location TBA

Cook Native American Ministries
708 South Lindon Lane
Tempe, AZ 85281

480.968.9354 ext.144 (option 5)



For more information about our Summer Term programs, please contact
Della Pena Phone: 480.968.9354 ext.144

Commissioned Lay Pastor Programs

These programs are offered to help provide the necessary course work for elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who wish to become Commissioned Lay Pastors in this denomination. The courses are also available for laity who are interested in learning more about the Bible, teaching and other aspects of Christian ministry.
According to the Presbyterian Book of Order: "The Commissioned Lay Pastor is an elder of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to lead worship and preach the gospel, watch over the people, and provide for their nurture and service" G-14.0801

A Commissioned Lay Pastor, given the required training, may also be authorized by the presbytery to perform any or all of the following functions, when it furthers the strategy for ministry in one or more congregations to which he or she may be commissioned to serve:
  1. Administer the Lord's Supper.
  2. Administer the Sacrament of Baptism.
  3. Moderate the session of the congregation under the supervision of, and when invited by, the moderator of the session appointed by the presbytery.
And in addition,
  1. Have a voice & vote in meetings of presbytery.
  2. Perform a service of Christian marriage when invited by the session or other responsible committee, and when allowed by the state. G-14.0801c

Objectives:

  • To provide the necessary course work for elders wishing to become Commissioned Lay Pastors (CLP) within Grand Canyon Presbytery
  • To provide educational opportunities for laity who are interested in learning more about the Bible, ministry, and the theology/polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Qualifications:

  • Be an ordained elder in the PC(USA).
  • Have been an active member of a PC(USA) congregation for at least two years or be recommended by letter from the Stated Clerk of a previous presbytery.
If you receive the call, then talk to your pastor, or if you are without a pastor, speak with the Presbytery Executive. The fact that you are interested in becoming a CLP will then be brought to your session.

Syllabus:

Three year Rotation Schedule for CLP classes
9 hour weekend includes motel for out of town students and lunch;  for local students lunch is provided. Breakfast and dinner are on your own for everyone. Most classes are 3 hours Friday evening and 6 hours on Saturday. There is one class during the 3 year cycle that will be held on two different Saturdays for 4 ½ hours making 9 hours total.
First Year
Introduction to New Testament Session #1: September 3 - 4, 2010
Session #2: September 24 - 25, 2010
Preaching Session #1: October 22 - 23, 2010
Session #2: November 12 - 13, 2010
Theology and Church History Session #1: February 4 - 5, 2011
Session #2: February 25 - 26, 2011
Session #3: March 11 - 12, 2011
Second Year
Introduction to New Testament Session #1: September 2 - 3, 2011
Session #2: September 23 - 24, 2011
Faith Development and Spirituality Session #1: November 5, 2011
Session #2: November 12, 2011
Reformed Worship, Liturgy, and Planning Session #1: March 2 - 3, 2012
Session #2: March 23 - 24, 2012
Third Year
Introduction to Pastoral Care Session #1: September 7 - 8, 2012
Session #2: September 21 - 22, 2012
Introduction to Christian Education Session #1: October 5 - 6, 2012
Session #2: October 26 - 27, 2012
Administrative Development Session #1: February 8 - 9, 2013
Session #2: March 1 - 2, 2013
Ethics and Sexual Misconduct Session: May 3 - 4, 2013

Click here for CLP 2012 Brochure
Click here for CLP 2010-2011 Syllabus
For more information about our CLP programs, please contact
Della Pena Phone: 480.968.9354 ext.144