Courses in Ministry Studies help students
develop the theoretical basis and practical skills for ministry.
Effective pastoral leadership is understood in terms of the ministry
of the whole people of God and the mission of the Church in the
world. Accordingly, Ministry Studies is understood to include theological
reflection on the practice of ministry as well as instruction in
that practice.
FACULTY: DENNIS, KANSFIELD, KRAAI, STURM, WAANDERS
MINISTRY STUDIES (Required)
AD-00301 PASTORAL ADMINISTRATION
This course will provide students with a foundation for intentional
and productive pastoral church administration. It will provide opportunities
for students to explore their own ministerial identity, and the
role of pastor as administrator and leader, through practical models
of church programming as a form of praxis. (2 hrs.)
CE-00301 INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
An introduction to the teaching ministry of the church, examining
Christian education as an aspect of the ministry to the whole congregation.
Studies of the theories in which biblical, theological, social-scientific
insights, especially faith development theory are integrated to
guide educational judgments. (2 hrs.)
MS-00301 INTRODUCTION TO MINISTRY STUDIES
This course introduces the student to the theories and practices
that will help shape and develop their skill for ministry. In addition
to the practical aspects of ministry, the student is helped to develop
skills of theological reflection for the practice of ministry. (4
hrs.)
MS-00401 PRACTICUM IN MINISTRY
Through a case study approach, this course will work to integrate
the student's classroom learning with the practice of ministry.
The course will have a particular focus on the fields of Christian
Education, Worship and Pastoral Administration. Building on the
student's ability to analyze the church and its context, this course
will, holistically, address the issues, experiences and challenges
facing the Church. Prerequisites: MS-00301, Introduction to Ministry
Studies, AD-00301, Pastoral Administration, CE-00301, Introduction
to Christian Education, WP-00301, Introduction to Worship, SM-00301,
Supervised Ministry and IN-00401, Reflection Group. (2 hrs.)
PC-00301 INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL CARE AND
COUNSELING
Theories of pastoral care and counseling are explored in lectures.
Pastoral care verbatim reports are presented by students and discussed
in small groups. Attention is given to dealing with some basic problems
in pastoral care and counseling. (4 hrs.)
PR-00301 ORAL COMMUNICATION
An introduction to basic communication, theory and practice in public
speaking. (1 hr.)
PR-00401 INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING
This course will explore the fundamentals of sermon design and construction.
There will be an emphasis on exegesis for sermon preparation as
well as an intense scrutiny of how the ancient scriptures intersect
modern day human situations. Also, this course seeks to provide
students with a basic methodology for sermon preparation on a regular
basis. Prerequisite: PR-00301, Oral Communication. Either OT-00301,
Introduction to Old Testament, or NT-00301, Introduction to New
Testament., CH00301 Introduction to Church History I, CH00302 Introduction
to Church History II. (2 hrs.)
PR-00402 ADVANCED PREACHING
Advanced Preaching presupposes a background in the fundamentals
of sermon design, construction, and execution. The course will explore
the methodologies of the leading homileticians of the day. It will
also focus on preaching in the diverse genres of biblical literature.
Sermons will be prepared and preached in the preaching laboratory
where professors and other students will offer critiques. Prerequisites:
PR-00301, Oral Communication, PR-00401, Introduction to Preaching,
TH-00401, Foundations of Theology I, TH00402, Foundations of Theology
II, PC-00301, Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling, CH-00301,
Introduction to Church History I, CH-00302, Introduction to Church
History II. (3 hrs.)
WP-00301 INTRODUCTION TO WORSHIP
This course will explore the development of Christian worship from
its roots in the Hebrew scriptures to the present. It will examine
the theological convictions that guide and undergird worship practices
that had their origin in the Reformation. In its ecumenical component,
this course seeks to discover those features that are held in common
with other Christian traditions. In its practical component, it
will help students to acquire the skills necessary to plan and lead
worship as well as perform the various rites practiced by Reformation-oriented
congregations. (2 hrs.)
PT-00598 & 00599 M.A.T.S. Thesis
One or two semester thesis course or project for M.A.T.S. students
in the Pastoral Care (4 or 6 hrs.) or Urban Ministry Concentration.
(8 hrs.)
MINISTRY STUDIES (ELECTIVES)
CE-00411 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN ASIAN AMERICAN
CONTEXT
Theories and theological exploration of Christian education in an
Asian American context. Identification and critical reflection on
the socio-cultural factors influencing the experience of Asian Americans,
and stages in identity formation for multi-sociocultural individuals
will be explored. The community exploration of the transformational
reconstruction of the educational resource, curriculum and teaching
methods will be central to the course. Prerequisite: CE-00301, Introduction
to Christian Education. (2 hrs.)
CE-00412 YOUTH EDUCATION IN THE CHURCH
A study of the adolescent years, youth culture, the identity issue,
peer relationships and other issues related to this age group. Special
attention will be given to the objectives, curriculum, teaching
methods, and the means of nurture to this particular group in the
church setting. Prerequisite: CE-00301, Introduction to Christian
Education. (2 hrs.)
CE-00421 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND THE FAMILY
The family unit will be the focus of the context and content of
the educational ministry, and the catalyst for change not only in
the parish setting but in the wider society. Family systems theory
and family genograms will be explored for better understanding.
Special attention will be given to alternate family settings, and
the creation of complementary models will be attempted, drawing
on theological, biblical, pedagogical and sociological sources.
(2 hrs.)
CE-00425 STORIES SACRED AND SECULAR: NARRATIVE
AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
This course will explore Biblical stories and secular works of fiction
in light of the various stages of human development, and in light
of their theological messages. There will be special emphasis on
how narratives may deepen the faith lives of individuals and communities
within the educational ministry of the church. (2 hrs.)
PC-00312 THE DYNAMICS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
RELATIONSHIPS
Marriage and family relationships are examined from the standpoint
of their interactions, with a focus upon the family as a social
unit. Specific attention is given to marriage styles and values,
problems of adaptation and communication, and to marriage and family.
(2 hrs.)
PC-00313 MINISTRY AND AGING
The impact of a graying society on the contemporary church will
be explored from several perspectives: theological, psychological,
familial, experiential and societal. Pastoral Care and program models
will be considered through case studies and film. Outside persons
will share their resources in dealing with specific themes. (2 hrs.)
PC-00314 THEOLOGY AND PROBLEMS OF DEATH AND
DYING
The concept of death is explored from several perspectives: experiential,
psychological, social, and theological. Attitudes and experiences
concerning death and clinical data on the experience of dying are
studied along with responsible methods of caring for dying and bereaved
persons. (2 hrs.)
PC-00317 CRISIS INTERVENTION
This course will address a minister's ability and call to intervene
in various crises in the lives of those in her or his care. Key
issues include discerning the nature and dimensions of the crisis,
deciding on the appropriate intervention, means and resources available.
Intervention will be considered from a theological/spiritual perspective
as well as the psychological, and with a view to actual practice.
The process of intervention will be explored in relation to three
areas: unemployment, addiction and homelessness. (2 hrs.)
PC-00316 PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING FOR
WOMEN
An introduction to the unique nature of the ministry of pastoral
care and counseling with women. Emphasis will be placed on the role
that the image of God, and the socio-cultural and psychological
particularities of women play in the development of relevant and
effective approaches for this ministry. Psychotherapeutic and theological
issues will also be addressed. (2 hrs.)
PC-00322 VIOLENCE AND PASTORAL CARE
The course will provide analysis of the sources of violence in family
relationships and develop pastoral strategies for providing support
to victims of violence and for working toward the prevention of
violence. Consideration will be given to factors in society which
compound the problem of violence. Theological resources will also
be utilized in seeking to understand the roots of violence and in
exploring the possibilities for stemming violence in individuals
and at the broader social level. (2 hrs.)
PC-00315 PASTORAL CARE AND NARCISSISM
The purpose of the class is to propose different strategies of pastoral
care which might help the church address the issues of narcissism
and apply those strategies in specific pastoral care situations
in the Christian community. Karl Barth's theological anthropology,
based on relationality as the essence of a human being's nature,
will be used to help shed light on issues relating to narcissism,
and to inform the church's pastoral care for persons who are narcissistically
wounded. A psychological understanding of the phenomenon of narcissism,
based on Heinz Kohut's psychology of the self, will also be studied,
as well as an interdisciplinary dialogue using Hunsinger's Chalcedonian
pattern. (2 hrs.)
PC-00316 PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING IN
ASIAN AMERICAN CONTEXT
Theological foundation and a Barthian theological methodology will
be explored in order to define the relationship between theology
and human sciences in dealing with activities in pastoral care and
counseling. Critical reflection on the socio-cultural and psychological
factors influencing the experience of Asian-Americans is explored
in the formation of particularity and understanding of cross-cultural
issues for pastoral care and counseling in Asian American context.
(2 hrs.)
PR-00411 PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
TRADITION
This course will have historical, methodological, and theological
components. The historical emphasis will provide students with a
sense of the contribution of African-Americans to three centuries
of American preaching. Methodology will consider the impact of slavery,
marginalization, and ongoing subjugation on the form, structure
and content of African-American preaching. This course will also
explore the place of theological themes that are common to African-American
preaching, e.g., providence, liberation, self-help, and racial solidarity.
Prerequisites: PR-00301, Oral Communication, PR-00401, Introduction
to Preaching. (2 hrs.)
PR-00421 PREACHING IN AN URBAN CONTEXT
This course will explore the claims of the gospel on the lives of
those whose hopes and aspirations are often constricted by the realities
of inner-city life. Issues such as drug abuse, crime, unemployment,
teen-age pregnancy, homelessness, and hopelessness will be explored
through the careful preparation of sermons specifically constructed
to address such needs. The course will also include discussions
with pastors and other lay people who are presently involved in
inner-city ministries. Prerequisites: PR-00301, Oral Communication,
PR-00401, Introduction to Preaching. (2 hrs.)
PR-00422 PREACHING ON SOCIAL ISSUES
This course examines biblical foundations, social analyses and theological
suppositions that inform responsible preaching on social issues.
Through readings, research and class discussions, participants will
explore the nature and significance of proclaiming the Gospel in
relationship to the social issues of our day. Each participant will
preach at least two sermons informed by biblical exegesis, social
analysis and theological reflection in community. To strengthen
critical skills, sermons delivered in class will be followed by
evaluation from colleagues. Audio-visual resources will also be
used. Prerequisites: PR-00301, Oral Communication, PR-00401 Introduction
to Preaching. (2 hrs.)
MS-00314 EVANGELISM
This course will explore the history and practice of mission, especially
in the modern period. Mission theology and practice will be examined
with special attention given to the Reformed Church in America.
It will also include an exploration of the theology and practice
of evangelism, and its relationship to revivalism, the social gospel,
liberation theology and Asian and Black theology. Evangelistic methods
will be critically reviewed. (2 hrs.)
SMS-00317 MISSIOLOGY: THEOLOGIES OF THE CHRISTIAN
MISSION
A study designed to provide the student with an opportunity to review
the development and changes that have taken place in the theology
of mission. (2 hrs.)
MS-00318 YOUTH MINISTRY IN ASIAN IMMIGRANT
CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS
This course seeks to clarify the issues and concerns of youth ministry
in Asian immigrant church contexts (AICC), and thus, to seek ways
to address them in local ministerial settings. The course will help
students understand Asian-American youth by examining their identity,
faith and psychological development, as well as their historical
and social contexts, such as U.S. society, the family, and the church.
It will also formulate a theological understanding of youth ministry
in AICC, which will include the identity of the pastor and God's
call. (2 hrs.)
WP-00402 HYMNS AND MUSIC IN THE LIFE OF THE
CHURCH
An exploration of the history of church music — especially
the development of English-language hymnody — forms the course's
core experience, and is intended to increase appreciation for the
varieties of musical expression that are available to enrich Christian
worship within the United States. Each participant in this course
will learn how to utilize hymnals and other church music resources,
as well as how to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each.
(2 hrs.)
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