About Us

Who We Are

The Center for Christian Formation and Leadership (CCFL), the diocesan school of the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida, is a learning center for adults seeking continuing education in theological studies, as well as spiritual and pastoral formation in the theory and practice of church leadership. The CCFL provides opportunities for both practical training and theological reflection, to serve as effectively as possible the local needs of the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida, including the needs of congregations, schools, and special ministries. By enriching our understanding of the ministry of all the baptized, graduates of CCFL programs take active roles in our congregations and in the world to make the transforming love of Jesus Christ come alive in our time and make it known to all people, everywhere.

The CCFL emphasizes academic rigor, Episcopal identity in conversation with the rich history of the Anglican tradition, and a deep commitment to pastoral ministry and service. The CCFL supports anti-racist pedagogies, multi-cultural approaches to learning, and opportunities for acknowledging and exploring the diverse languages, ethnicities, cultures and traditions that enrich our experience as Episcopalians in this diocese.

Courses are offered through a combination of online learning opportunities, webinars, and in-person formation groups. Day-long retreats are offered periodically to give students a chance to worship and learn together, to ask deeper questions in small groups, and to reflect on their formation in the Episcopal tradition.

Online courses are offered on a quarterly basis, and most courses last between eight and twelve weeks.

• For a look at current courses offered through the CCFL, click here.
• For the CCFL course catalog, which describes the courses that are offered in greater detail, click here.
• For information on diaconal studies and theological formation for the diaconate in the Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida, click here.
• For the CCFL student handbook, click here.

Students at the Center for Christian Formation and Leadership fall into three different categories:

1) Students working towards completion certificates in specific concentration fields must enroll in courses following the progression of the CCFL curriculum. Students in Diaconal Studies receive a Certificate of Diaconal Studies upon completion of their coursework. Students in Anglican Studies receive a Certificate of Anglican Studies after completion of their coursework. The CCFL also offers concentration certificates in Parish Leadership, Pastoral Care, and Preaching, as well as subject concentrations in Church History, Biblical Studies, and Spirituality and Theological Formation.

2) Students who are not seeking academic credit for their work may elect to take one or more courses per semester as their interest dictates and as the logical progression of the different courses of study allows. We welcome students who wish to join us for this limited study to “test the waters” of theological education as part of their discernment for ministry or to strengthen the ministries in which they are already engaged.

3) Clergy are encouraged to take classes through the CCFL in order to fulfill clergy continuing education requirements. Most CCFL courses provide at least 20 contact hours for diocesan clergy continuing education credit.