Core Curriculum (16 semester credits)

CE 515 Christian Educational Ministries (3): A study of the nature of the church community and the role of education in the development of congregational life.  Particular attention is given to the overall educational ministries of congregations. Ministry structures for discipleship and Christian formation will be evaluated critically on the basis of integrated thinking from theology and the social sciences.

PT 501 Introduction to Ministry/Program Orientation (1):  This course explores aspects of a vocational call to ministry.  Also, the course will orient the student to the resources, procedures, electronic operations, and expectations of the program.

PT 516 Missiology & Contextualization (3):  This course provides a study of the challenge and complexity of mission within the cultural diversity of today's world.  Students will review the historical dimensions of missiology, develop biblical and theological foundations for missional ecclesiology, and strategize for cross-cultural communication of the gospel.

PT 517 Pastoral Leadership (3): This course will help to equip ministers to lead and manage churches and mission agencies.  Special attention will be given to the student’s ability to conceive and articulate purpose, mission, and vision for ministry and assist the student to develop the strategic means to realize that vision.

PT 518 Ministry Formation (3):  The personal and spiritual formation of the minister will be explored. Special attention will be given to personal and spiritual formation, the role of he family in ministry, pastoral care and counseling, and congregational care.

PT 523 Preaching and Worship (3): An advanced study of the methods of homiletics as well as applying principles of biblical interpretation to worship and preaching.  A major focus of the course will be on practical application to selected biblical passages through the writing and preaching of expository sermons as well as a study of the Christian practices of the Church including baptism, funerals, weddings, and the Eucharist.

Foundational Studies (21 semester credits)

BL 521 Introduction to Biblical Studies (3):  An in-depth study of the books of the Bible in their historical, cultural, and literary context.  Matters of canon, text, content, structure, theology, chronology, geography, and archaeology will be dealt with.

BL 522 Biblical Theology (3): A survey of the historical and theological discipline and data of biblical theology. Some attention is given to its history, definition, methods, and challenges. The course will focus on the content of biblical theology: its major witnesses, themes, and theologically significant passages. Some consideration is given to the relationship between this synthesizing account of the religious and theological message of the Bible and responsible exegesis, hermeneutics, systematic theology, and preaching.

CH 531 History of Christianity I (3):  A study of the historical development of Christianity from 150-1500 C.E., from the Patristic period through pre-Reformation.  The course will trace theological and doctrinal development as well as offer a general survey of the history of the Church in its ecclesiastical and cultural contexts.  The student will have opportunity to read primary as well as secondary sources, and do research on a specified and focused area of interest.

CH 532 History of Christianity II (3):  A study of the historical development of Christianity from 1500-present, C.E., from the Reformation through the 20th century.  The course will trace theological and doctrinal development as well as offer a general survey of the history of the Church in its ecclesiastical and cultural contexts.  The student will have opportunity to read primary as well as secondary sources, and do research on a specified and focused area of interest.

TH 541 Christian Theology I: Central Issues (3): Students will explore the theological issues pertaining to the classical doctrines of the Wesleyan tradition.  This exploration will focus upon the main characteristics of the nature of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the human person, sin, salvation, the Christian life, the Church and sacraments, and eschatology. 

TH 542 Christian Theology II:  Contemporary Theology (3):  Students will reflect theologically on life and ministry by exploring various sources of theological reflection.  In particular, dominant themes and figures in contemporary theology will be explored.  In this exploration, students will compare and contrast distinctive characteristics of Wesleyan theology, including various understandings of holiness, with issues found in contemporary theology.

PL 551 Philosophical Foundations of Ministry(3):  This course will provide the fundamentals for logical reasoning, review the philosophical foundations of theology, explore contemporary issues in the philosophy of religion, and develop methods for making ethical decisions within the framework of Christian values.

Elective Class: PT 525 Supervised Ministry (3-6): Under the direction of a ministry mentor, students will be involved in practical ministry experience in a local ministry context. Special attention will be given to preaching, counseling, teaching, education, evangelism, and administration. This experience will be under the direction of the instructor in cooperation with the supervising ministry mentor.