*Leads to related certification and/or authorization to perform specific duties.
**Seminar held on a biannual basis.
 

MINISTRY FORMATION

The following describes the ministry formation activities that are incorporated into the curriculum of the College for Officer Training.  Ministry formation activities and courses provide a practical “hands-on” experience for the cadets in order to develop and strengthen practical ministry skills. 

Mission Formation Experience
Ministry Formation, as defined in this publication, is a controlled, supervised and practical ministry experience incorporated into the curriculum of the College for Officer Training.  The purpose of the Ministry Formation practicum is to provide a venue for application of the academic knowledge gained by the cadet through classroom learning with regards to Salvation Army ministries and corps administration.  Relevant and contemporary ministry formation activities are regularly under development and in various stages of implementation at the College for Officer Training.  These include methodologies in social service, corps ministries, business practices, spiritual formation, and evangelism, for which the goals are to alleviate human suffering and to reach the lost for Christ.

Ministry Formation courses are graded courses and as such, rubrics and assessments are used to assist in the grading process.  The ministry formation rubrics and assessments help to assess development and performance in nine public ministry and program leadership skills.  In addition, each cadet receives a corps and brigade officer evaluation to assist in development as an officer-in-training.

Ministry Formation Courses

1st Year
MF 180 Ministry Formation I (3 Units)
MF 178 Christmas Intensive I (3 Units)

Summer
MF 270 Spiritual Formation (1 Unit)
MF 271 Business/Communication (3 Units)

2nd Year
MF 280 Ministry Formation II (3 Units)
MF 279 Christmas Intensive II (3 Units) 

Out Sundays
Public ministry activities are accomplished by brigades of first-year cadets or teams of second-year cadets under the leadership of supervising officers.  Cadets observe successful ministry and outreach opportunities in a variety of settings.  Each cadet is given opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a close-knit team formation through organizing and implementing various ministry activities.  These experiences provide the cadets with opportunities to gain knowledge applicable to their future appointments as Salvation Army Officers.

Weekday Ministry Formation
Under the supervision of the Mission and Ministry  department, cadets plan and lead weekly programs for CFOT youth, adults and families, which benefit spiritual, emotional, social and physical well-being.  These programs provide cadets with an opportunity to develop practical skills and knowledge in the areas of Salvation Army program resources and corps ministries. 

Divisional Youth Retreats/Conferences
First- and second-year cadets are selected to represent the college at the various Divisional Youth Retreats and conferences around the territory (women’s & men’s retreats, young adult retreats, Worship and Arts retreat, Boot Camp, etc.)   Cadets are assigned to lead workshops, share their testimonies, give devotionals, lead Bible Studies and interact with the delegates in their capacity as Salvation Army cadets.

Mixed Brigades
Every cadet will be involved in a mixed brigade made up of both first-year and second-year cadets.  Assignments will be given for various brigade functions such as brigade leadership.   Brigade members will plan, organize, and conduct various selected ministry activities.  The following activities are to be done in mixed brigade throughout the school year:

• In-Sundays: On-campus worship services and Sunday School classes are held for cadets and their families on designated In-Sundays.  Brigades are assigned to lead Sunday School assembly and classes, allowing them to become familiar with Salvation Army materials and practices.
• Fall Blitz Evangelistic Campaign: Cadet mixed brigades will engage in a weekend evangelistic campaign at selected corps and units throughout the Territory.
• Spring Evangelistic Campaign: Cadet mixed brigades travel to selected corps and divisions throughout the Western Territory to conduct a week of evangelistic campaigns.

First-Year Requirements
First-year cadets will be assigned to a brigade for the purpose of observation and development of ministry formation skills.  Assignments will be given for various brigade functions, such as brigade leadership.  During the first quarter of Out-Sunday assignments, cadets will primarily observe the different elements of worship and leadership.  Children will not accompany first-year cadet parents during Out-Sunday assignments.  FCC will be available.

Christmas Intensive I 
During the months of November and December, first-year cadets are assigned to selected corps within the Western Territory to receive practical training on the spiritual and administrative side of the Christmas effort.

Second-Year Requirements
Second-year cadets are involved in progressively more independent activities designed to solidify and affirm their knowledge of the practical aspects of Salvation Army officership, including sermon deliveries.  Children five and older will accompany second-year cadet parents on Out-Sunday corps assignments.  FCC child-care will be available for children four and under.  Children also accompany their parents to the corps assignment during summer internship.

Summer Internship
Second-year cadets are assigned to designated corps for their summer internship to receive “on-site” training.  Supervision is provided by the corps officer.  Each cadet will be required to complete assigned coursework in Spiritual Formation and Business Administration and Communications.  The summer curriculum is an integral part of the total training college experience and consists of study in:

• Business Administration
• Homiletics
• Evangelism
• Salvation Army Procedures 
• Pastoral Ministries 
• Spiritual Formation 
• Social Services

Christmas Intensive II
During the months of November and December, second-year cadets are assigned to selected corps and divisions within the Western Territory to receive advanced training on the spiritual and administrative side of the Christmas effort.

Reviewed/Updated: July 2025