Denominational Studies
(Required for some students)
Denominational Studies courses examine the history, doctrine, and
polity of various denominations from which students come and in
which they will undertake their ministry. Students preparing for
ordination in the RCA are required to take the RCA Denominational
Studies courses (DS-00401, DS-00402 and DS-00403); other students
as well may be required by their denominations to take the appropriate
Denominational Studies courses for their traditions. Students from
Christian denominations not listed here may request instruction
appropriate to their traditions, on an independent-study basis.
DS-00401 REFORMED CHURCH HISTORY AND WORSHIP
The history and worship of the Reformed Church in America. Prerequisites:
CH-00301, Church History I; CH-00302, Church History II; WP-00301,
Introduction to Worship.
(2 hrs.)
DS-00402 REFORMED CHURCH POLITY
A theological foundation is laid for Reformed Polity and then applied
through a study of The Book of Church Order, including the Government,
Disciplinary Procedures, By-laws and Special Rules of Order, and
the Formularies. The course includes practical applications of church
government and studies of actual cases are presented to illustrate
the use of The Book of Church Order. Prerequisites: DS-00401, Reformed
Church History and Worship; CH-00301, Church History I; CH-00302,
Church History II; TH-00301, Theology I; TH-00302, Theology II.
(2 hrs.)
DS-00403 REFORMED CHURCH STANDARDS
The Standards (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism and Canons
of the Synod of Dort) are studied from an historical, theological,
and pastoral perspective. Prerequisites: DS-00401, Reformed Church
History and Worship; DS-00402, Reformed Church Polity; CH-00301,
Church History I; CH-00302, Church History II; TH-00301, Theology
I; TH-00302, Theology II. (2 hrs.)
DS-00404 UNITED METHODIST POLITY
This course enables the student to understand the nature and operation
of the United Methodist Church as an institutional expression of
its history and theology. Church structures and authority at every
judicatory level are examined. Prerequisites: CH-00301, Church History
I; CH-00302, Church History II; TH-00301, Theology I; TH-00302,
Theology II. (2 hrs.)
DS-00405 UNITED METHODIST HISTORY
History of the development of the Methodist movement from its inception
by John Wesley through the formation of the Methodist Church in
America to modern day movements and causes. Prerequisites: CH-00301,
Church History I; CH-00302, Church History II. (2 hrs.)
DS-00406 UNITED METHODIST DOCTRINE
The doctrines of the Christian Church and the particular doctrines
of the United Methodist Church are studied and discussed. Prerequisites:
CH-00301, Church History I; CH-00302, Church History II; TH-00301,
Theology I; TH-00302, Theology II. (2 hrs.)
DS-00409 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL STUDIES
I
Prerequisites: CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301, TH-00302, WP-00301.
(2 hrs.)
DS-00410 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL STUDIES
II
Prerequisites: DS-00409, CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301, TH-00302,
WP-00301. (2 hrs.)
DS-00411 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL STUDIES
III
Prerequisites: DS-00409, DS-00410, CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301,
TH-00302, WP-00301. (2 hrs)
DS-00413 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) STUDIES
I
Prerequisites: CH-00301, CH-00302. (2 hrs.)
DS-00414 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) STUDIES
II
Prerequisites: DS-00413, TH-00301, TH-00302, WP-00301. (2 hrs.)
DS-00415 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) STUDIES
III
Prerequisites: DS-00413, DS-00414, TH-00301, TH-00302, W-P00301.
(2 hrs.)
DS-00419 BAPTIST STUDIES I
Prerequisites: CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301, TH-00302, WP-00301.
(2 hrs.)
DS-00420 BAPTIST STUDIES II
Prerequisites: DS-00419, CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301, TH-00302,
WP-00301.(2 hrs.)
DS-00421 BAPTIST STUDIES III
Prerequisites: DS-00419, DS-00420, CH-00301, CH-00302, TH-00301,
TH-00302, WP-00301. (2 hrs.)
MINISTERIUM (Required)
IN-00401 & IN-00402 MINISTERIUM I &
II
The purpose of Ministerium is to provide the student with the opportunity
to reflect critically, in the context of an ecumenical community,
on the experience and practice of ministry. The building blocks
of this critical reflection are scripture, church tradition, related
areas of knowledge and skill in the practice of ministry, and actual
experience.
Ministerium is the intersection of academic learning and experience
in ministry and life. In addition, it is hoped that Ministerium
will provide for the students a model of collegiality and mutual
accountability with peers so that when the student has graduated
and is active in ministry, the student will find or form such a
group for mutual support, spiritual formation and the sense of community
necessary in ministry.
A ministerium class is composed of no more than eight students
and a faculty member. The student must be engaged in an approved
Supervised Ministry setting and a Supervised Ministry learning agreement
is required for enrollment to begin the class. Ministerium is a
graded, academic course that spans the two semesters of the academic
year. Students are awarded one credit for each successful semester
of Ministerium.
IN-00311 SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE PASTOR
This course will explore patterns and practices of spirituality
throughout church tradition and in the current life of the church.
Various disciplines of prayer, meditation, contemplation and journaling
will be taught and practiced in the course. The practice of spiritual
direction will be introduced as a means of spiritual formation and
as a central function of pastoral ministry. Out of this exploration,
students will be encouraged to explore their own church traditions,
to find their own ways of spiritual formation and develop their
own rule of life. (2 hrs.)
IN-00312 THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
The course will examine the biblical teachings on prayer. A full
spectrum of prayer practices will be both discussed and practiced
in class: discursive prayer, prayers of recollection, praying with
scripture, breath prayers, centering prayer, and contemplative prayer.
In class, students will be led in guided meditation and centering
prayer. A disciplined practice of prayer will be required in taking
the course. (2 hrs.)
SUPERVISED MINISTRY
UM-00314 POVERTY, RACE AND CULTURE IN AMERICAN
CITIES
This course will engage students in a practical theological approach
to ministry in poor inner-city communities. The faith-based communities
will be examined to address issues of transformation. The course
provides an opportunity to develop a public theology in dialogue
with persons currently on welfare and persons responsible for making
public policy that affects those on welfare and others in poor urban
communities. Students will be introduced to the main theories of
poverty, race and culture in American cities with reference to the
misuse of power and privilege. (2 hrs.)
SM-00301 & SM-00302 SUPERVISED MINISTRY
I & II
Supervised Ministry provides a student opportunity to participate
in, and reflect upon, life and ministry in Christian community,
where ministerial self-understanding, identity and skills are acquired
and tested. Membership in a ministerium necessitates participation
in a Supervised Ministry assignment.
Supervised Ministry assignments are made after an assessment of
the educational and experiential needs of the student by the Director
of Supervised Ministry. Placements are in communities of faith in
a student's own tradition and in denominationally and ethnically
diverse settings. A Supervised Ministry Learning Agreement must
be approved for each assignment are required, and evaluations written
by the student and the supervisor in order for credit to be awarded.
Supervisors and members of lay committees, trained by the Seminary,
collaborate with the faculty in the educational enterprise of the
school. Supervised Ministry Handbooks for students, supervisors
and members of lay committees are provided by the seminary.
Each student must be assigned to at least two different settings.
Six (6) units of Supervised Ministry are required for graduation.
Students register for Supervised Ministry during the semester they
enroll in ministeriums. M.Div. students are urged to make an appointment
with Dr. Mark Kraai, Director of Supervised Ministries, during the
first semester of their seminary studies.
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (C.P.E.)
Clinical Pastoral Education programs, usually located in hospital
and prison settings, provide the opportunity for extensive work
in pastoral care, along with group and individual reflection on
the ministry experience. CPE programs may be taken as summer intensives
or extended over nine (9) months. Students who successfully complete
one unit of CPE may apply to receive up to six (6) academic credits
of advanced standing toward the M.Div. degree, or the Pastoral Care
Concentration in the M.A.T.S. degree, and two (2) units of Supervised
Ministry credit. No more than one (1) unit (6 academic credits)
of CPE will be credited toward degree requirements. The professor
of Pastoral Care may waive the introductory course in Pastoral Care
for students who have completed CPE successfully. Students interested
in CPE must make direct application to the program(s) of their choice.
For more information about CPE, please contact the Professor of
Pastoral Care.
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