Christian Ministry

A concise introduction to the biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew) sufficient to look up words in those languages, to grasp some of their main grammatical features, and to use basic hermeneutical tools in Old Testament and New Testament studies. The course focuses on knowledge and skills immediately applicable to ministry. Students with introductory courses in Greek and/or Hebrew should move directly to advanced courses in exegesis or biblical interpretation.

CMIN 630 — Organizational Communication. 3 hours.

The purpose of this course is to examine and develop some proficiency in the skills that are necessary to effectively communicate within organizations as well as between organizations and their constituencies. This course provides an overview of general communication theory and analyzes organizational change, decision-making, developing trust, conflict resolution, and human resource development through communication.

CMIN 631 — Life Management and Personal Renewal. 3 hours.

Exploration of the significance of spiritual development and personal renewal in the life of a leader, with attention to practice and implementation as well as strategies for modeling and teaching healthy patterns as leaders.

CMIN 635 — Leadership in Christian Ministry: Committed to Serve, Prepared to Lead. 3 hours.

By examining and identifying the core principles and best practices of leadership, bringing those principles and practices under the authority of Scripture, and applying those principles and practices to the student's specific context, the student's capacity for effective Christ-like leadership will be enhanced. The course objective is to bring those principles and practices under the teachings of Jesus and Scripture to form the "ChristStyle Leader." The class will take into account the issues of modern and post-modern, traditional and emerging contexts.

CMIN 643 — Issues in Ministry. 3 hours.

Specific issues in ministry or ministry competencies are explored.

CMIN 650 — Homiletics. 3 hours.

The course focuses on the theology of preaching along with the construction and delivery of sermons. It will also consider the link between preaching and evangelism as well as the connection between preaching and pastoral ministry within a congregation. Some attention may be paid to the relation of preaching to sacrament, music, and worship.

CMIN 651 — The Minister as Leader and Administrator. 3 hours.

A comprehensive study of the organization and activities of the local church and the pastor's leadership in these concerns. Class work will include such topics as understanding small group dynamics, problem-solving, planning (including long-range planning), discipling other leaders (lay and staff), budgeting, accounting, raising funds, property management, leadership styles and skills, followership, conflict resolution techniques, fostering and maintaining relations with the denomination and especially the district, and personal ethics and financial budgeting.

CMIN 652 — Principles of Management. 3 hours.

Management issues are explored from the perspectives of human resource administration and business management. Human resource administration topics include authority and ethics, conflict management, and team-building theory (utilizing Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and congregational life theory). Business management topics include finances, personnel, and time management.

CMIN 653 — Discipling. 3 hours.

The goal of this course is to develop students who effectively live a discipling lifestyle and are empowered to plan and implement disciple-making strategies. The model is Jesus, whose purpose was to make disciples and whose disciples continued to focus on this purpose. At the heart of a disciple's life and work is Christian community, where focus is maintained and purpose is fulfilled through strategic planning, which results in practical steps of action in developing an ever-expanding network of discipling relationships.

CMIN 654 — Introduction to Counseling. 3 hours.

Principles and practices of Christian and pastoral counseling are reviewed with emphases on counseling for common personal and emotional issues including depression, addiction, stress and anxiety, grief, managing anger and forgiveness. Special attention is given to ethical issues, counseling parameters, intercultural competence and counseling issues with co-occurring disorders. Students learn self-awareness and self-care techniques along with short term intervention strategies.

CMIN 655 — Family Dynamics and Intervention. 3 hours.

An introduction to the systems approach in understanding family dynamics. Related to the family, the topics include structural and cultural variations. Biblical and theological foundations, ministry program development, life-cycle assessment, and the application of theoretical concepts for practical ministry.

CMIN 656 — Community Relations. 3 hours.

Examination of the four key elements for developing a successful program that generates needed resources. These elements include public relations/marketing, grant- and proposal-writing for funding, and fund-raising and community relationships, including advisory organizations.

CMIN 657 — Faith in Action through Social Work. 3 hours.

Christian faith is integrated with social work theory and practice in this course. Topics covered are (1) the Biblical basis for social work, (2) the history of social work, (3) social work and Christian values and ethics, (4) social work practice, (5) case management, and (6) crisis intervention. A 45-hour social work practicum is connected to this course.

CMIN 658 — Organizational Behavior. 3 hours.

A look at organizations at the level of the individual, the group and external environment. Emphasis is placed on current organizational and leadership theories. students also learn to analyze organizations as an open system. Topics of discussion include group dynamics, communication and interpersonal relations, strategic planning, goal-setting, change management, and volunteer administration. An examination of both secular and Biblical styles of leadership.

CMIN 674 — Pastoral Care and Counseling. 3 hours.

A study of the pastoral ministry to individuals and small groups, with attention to human development, spiritual formation, personality disorders, crisis intervention, counseling principles and techniques, premarital and marital counseling tools, and pastoral visitation agendas and techniques.

CMIN 690 — Master of Ministry Project. 3 hours.

This culminating project is designed by the student in consultation with the project supervisor to integrate the learning experience of the program of study into a significant ministry application. Students registering for this course should obtain a "Guide for Master of Ministry Projects" from the Graduate Program Specialist, located in the office of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry.

CMIN 691 — Integrative Seminar. 3 hours.

This concluding seminar for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry includes reading, discussion, writing and reflection on ministry in contemporary society, as well as a student presentation project that integrates theory and application, theology and ministry.