Christian Ministry

Interviews with Trinitarian theologians. Most are available in video and audio; all are available as edited transcripts. Most are about 28 minutes long.

This course surveys various methods of analyzing the biblical text and discusses how to use various forms of analysis in exploring the original meaning and contemporary applications of biblical passages. [Short syllabus]

This course studies the prophetic literature of the Hebrew Canon, the Former and Latter Prophets in order to grasp the foundation and formation of the kingdom of God. We will seek to apprehend the establishment and development of the monarchy with Ancient Israel as moved by the renewal of the Biblical Covenant Relationship that we are taught by the Prophets. [Short syllabus]

This course chronicles the characters and events in the book of Acts to study the early development of the Christian church from its Jewish base to the inclusion of all peoples. The lives of the apostle Peter and apostle Paul set the background for studies of the General Epistles and Pauline Epistles. [Short syllabus]

This course uses an inductive approach to learning New Testament Greek, discussing features of Greek as they occur in the letter of 1 John. Bible study websites and programs supply information about declensions and conjugations, so we will focus on how we can use that information to understand how the words work together to convey meaning. We will learn the words used frequently in this letter. [short syllabus]

Church History 1: The First Millennium is a survey of the events, people, and ideas of Christianity from Jesus’ ascension to the “Great Schism” of 1054. The focus is on mastering the key events and cultural contexts of the period as well as introducing the student to the writings, leaders and theology of the church’s first millennium. Proctored Exam. [Short syllabus] 

This course seeks to integrate a biblical, Christ-centered, and historically orthodox theology, grounded on the reality revealed in Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension along with his promise of personal return, with Christian ministry encompassed by worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and witness. Through this integration a foundational understanding of the identity and purpose of the church will be explored along with ministerial implications for pastoral leaders and lay members alike. [Short syllabus]

This course helps students develop an Incarnational Trinitarian theological approach to several common elements of pastoral ministry, including administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, worship planning, preaching, pastoral care, evangelism, discipleship, church administration, and family ministry. [Short Syllabus]

This course examines the relationship of theology and youth ministry practice as it has developed in North America. The course explores the centrality of Jesus in all ministry in the relationship that Jesus already has with young people. That relationship is explored in its post-Christian, post-modern cultural context, with an emphasis on the importance of mentoring as a relational/incarnational tool in youth ministry. [Short Syllabus]

This course explores the practical application of starting new churches that are centered on Jesus Christ, culturally relevant, share the gospel, make disciples, and continue to multiply new churches. Principles and practices discussed in this course can be applied by pastors and ministry leaders to help established congregations participate more effectively in Jesus’ mission and prepare to “re-plant”, i.e. relocate a congregation to more effectively participate in Jesus’ mission to a focus group or community. [short syllabus]

This course surveys various methods of analyzing the biblical text in order to develop an expository sermon to be given to a congregation. This course also surveys various approaches to the sermon and analyzes which approaches work best in various contexts. This course involves instructor evaluation of video sermons prepared and submitted by the student to the instructor, and the critique by an ecclesiastical supervisor and by the instructor of a sermon (submitted on video) given by the student to a congregation/audience. Prerequisite: BI501. [short syllabus]

Trinitarian Worship explores in depth the who, what and how of the church’s corporate (public) worship. Exploring the who takes us to the theological foundations that undergird Christian worship. We’ll see that this worship flows from and is shaped by incarnational Trinitarian faith—the knowledge of the triune God revealed in the person and work of Jesus. Throughout the course, we’ll emphasize that Christian worship is our participation, by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ ongoing worship of the Father. [Short Syllabus]

This course is designed to help GCI denominational and administrative leaders to learn deeper levels of leadership, especially centered around the finer aspects of what we see revealed in the Gospels about Jesus Christ. The student will be challenged to take an inventory of their personality, grow in self-awareness, and use this understanding to improve their leadership. The course will review the leadership structure of the denomination and examine the job descriptions of various church offices. The primary objective is to help the student to become a leader worth following because they are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

FE501 is two credit hours per semester. Students are to reflect on the Incarnational Trinitarian theological foundations of their ministry work and how their ministry work is centered in Christ. The course entails 90 hours of student work per semester on a ministry-related project. The course includes 1) developing and implementing a Ministry Action Plan (MAP) for a project, 2) forum discussions, and 3) a project summary/reflection paper, which integrates the student’s previous academic studies with the ministry projects they select. Prerequisite: CM501 and must have completed at least 30 units. [short syllabus]

FE503 is two credit hours per semester. Students are to reflect on the incarnational Trinitarian theological foundations of their ministry work and how their ministry work is centered in Christ. The class entails 90 hours of student work on a ministry-related project. The course includes developing and implementing a Ministry Action Plan (MAP) for a project, forum discussions, and a project summary/reflection paper, which integrates the student’s previous academic studies with the ministry projects they select. Prerequisites: CM501, CM504, FE501, FE502. The project for FE503 may be a repeat (updated and improved) of a project done for FE501 or FE502. [short syllabus]

This course explores the person and work of Jesus Christ the incarnate Son of God according to biblical revelation. In that light we also consider the nature of the salvation accomplished and offered in and through Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit. This will include reflecting on the nature of human beings, of evil, and the inherent effects of sin. Issues of predestination and how we receive and participate in that saving relationship with our Triune God are studied.

This course explores in depth the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, with its biblical foundations in God's revelation, the nature of theology, the foundational historic creeds and controversies, key elements and current obstacles to a fully Christian faith in the Triune God. This course examines vital implications of the doctrine of the Trinity for ethics, worship, the church and proclamation of the Gospel of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ in the Spirit. Prerequisite: at least one previous theology course.[Short syllabus]

This course surveys the Christological thought of theologian Thomas F. Torrance with a focus on the person, life and work of Jesus Christ. Consideration will also be given to the topics of the church and eschatology (the last things), as explicated in his two-volume series of edited lectures on Christology originally delivered to students at New College, University of Edinburgh. [short syllabus]

This course describes the theological foundation for Christian ethics. We will identify and explore many modern approaches to ethics and see what difference a theological approach makes. We will also give extensive consideration to how pursuing moral faithfulness fits in with a life of discipleship to Jesus Christ and with the church’s worship and witness in this present fallen age. A number of contemporary moral issues will be addressed and there will be opportunities for students to look into several of personal interest and relevance to the church. Prerequisite: at least 30 units, including at least six units in Bible, six in theology, and three in ministry. [Short syllabus]

This course integrates learning from biblical, theological, and ministry studies into a capstone paper that expresses one's theology of ministry. This course is conducted as an independent study under the guidance of the professor as the capstone course for the Master of Pastoral Studies degree. Prerequisite: Student must be within 6 units of completing the Master's program and must pass a summative exam. Students who want to write a thesis should register for CM549 Christian Ministry Thesis. [short syllabus] 

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