This course is intended to provide the vocational ministry individual, either pastoral or missions-focused, a meaningful overview of the educational ministries of the church. Attention will be focused on building a solid theological and philosophical foundation for those discipling ministries globally. The course will also include a survey of the lifespan developmental characteristic and their educational implications will be explored Preparation of the church leader or church planter as organizer and administrator will be addressed as well. Finally, selected para-church educational ministries will be surveyed to give as complete a look at the educational task of ministry in the third millennium as is possible.
A survey of the biblical doctrine of evangelism including proper motivations for winning the lost, effective soul-winning methods, vital theological issues surrounding evangelism, the Christian as an effective apologist in a world of false gospels (cults), cultivating an evangelistic lifestyle and the role of prayer in evangelism.
To provide students who are entering the ministry or currently in ministry, a basic knowledge of counseling skills and approached to pastoral counseling. The course will give students a survey of how to help those in crisis and provide for a brief spiritual care of those who are hurting. Students will also be taught on when and how to refer people to other mental health professionals.
Stretches the leadership skills of the youth worker enabling him to plan, organize, supervise and administrate a full orbed ministry for youth of any age. Focuses on the skills of leading and developing volunteers in youth ministry. The course will emphasize delegation, supervision, and equipping others for ministry functions.
Develops the students philosophy of preaching. Includes study of the principles and practices of verbal communication as well as types of sermons, creation of sermon outlines, analysis of sermons by great preachers of all time, and sermonic research.
The importance and goals of discipleship, along with personal philosophy and methodology for discipleship development patterned after Scriptural accounts of Christ and His disciples. Special attention given to the problems of bringing youth through the adolescent period to the point of spiritual maturity. Current literature, problem areas, practical experience and biblical solutions will all be examined.
Building on the foundation of Principles of Bible Study (BI 213), a survey of some of the more complex aspects of biblical hermeneutics including parabolic, wisdom and apocalyptic literature; allegories, symbols and types; difficult to understand (9 so-called problem passages) and apparent contradictions; hard sayings in the OT and NT; word study fallacies and common reasons for eisegesis. This course assumes that the student has a solid grasp on basic biblical hermeneutics, is competent in writing biblical mini-commentaries and possesses better than average writing skills. Prerequisites: EN 102 and BI 213.
A supervised program of internship whereby the senior student gains practical experience and insight into the day-to-day ministry as it is conducted in local area churches, along with the study of the principles and practice of the pastoral ministry. Topics include the pastors relationship to himself, his family, his staff, the church membership, extra-church organizations and involvements, plus the educational, administrative, missionary, evangelistic, and functional aspects of the pastoral ministry. Prerequisite: permission of Department Chair.