600

This course guides students in best practices for transitioning from academic theological education to ministry in the local church context. A blended course, this course academically, psychologically, and pragmatically shifts students from residential education to a residency pastorate. Prerequisites: REL-555.

A ministry lab course, this course uses experienced ministry professionals as mentors in the field under the guidance of Practice Theology professors. Students will be engaged in guided ministry leadership assignments and reflection on ministry performance. Students will also create a structured plan for improvement in ministerial competency. A professional ministry position is required for the completion of the course. Prerequisites: REL-555 or its equivalent.

A second ministry lab course following on the first, this course continues to use experienced ministry professionals as mentors in the field under the guidance of practical theology professors. Students will engage in additional guided ministry leadership assignments and reflections of ministry performance. Students will continue to develop structured plans for improvement in ministerial competency. A professional ministry position is required for the completion of the course. Prerequisite: REL-602

This course trains active ministers in the three most common forms of spiritual formation: mentoring, spiritual direction, and discipleship. Students analyze the theological and theoretical backgrounds, cultural implications, as well as strengths and weakness of each model of spiritual formation.

This course examines the corporate dimensions of spirituality and spiritual formation as outlined in Scripture, church history and contemporary practice. The class analyzes and discusses those historical and cultural factors that have led to the privatization of Christianity, and develops a paradigm of spiritual growth and maturity that focuses on the gathering of believers rather than the isolated Christian. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or higher in REL-521 or REL-270. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: REL-501.

This course guides students in advanced engagement with issues related to ethnicity, ethnography, and ministry in contexts of culture diversity. The primary aim of the course is to equip local church pastors to develop multi-ethnic church ministries. Students in this course will integrate practice and theology-laden theory into the ministry context in which they serve. Successful students will integrate theological, philosophical, and social scientific theories with professional best practices for multi-ethnic ministry. A professional ministry position is required for the completion of the course. Prerequisites: REL-545.

This course introduces the major theoretical frameworks of the sociology of religion, quantitative and qualitative research methodology, and data interpretation. The course will examine religious adherence (including growth and decline rates), beliefs and practices, demographic shifts, and socio-political alignments of Christian and non-Christian religious communities in the United States. Students will explore the ways sociology informs and influences Christian ministry and engagement with society.

This course is designed for the advanced preaching student with two or more completed preaching courses in undergraduate or graduate work. Students will engage advanced homiletical theory using first source material in historical and contemporary homiletics, analyze model sermons in depth, and receive robust constructive feedback on their own preaching experiences. Prerequisites: REL-565 and BIL-510.

This course explores pastoral counseling from a frame of reference which limits both the number of sessions and the scope of the objectives for the counseling relationship. Students will engage in responsible use of faith-based and spiritual resources as well as articulate the benefits and limitations of counseling in a pastoral setting. Each student will gain familiarity with an overarching structure for pastoral counseling sessions as well as signs of necessary referral. Co-requisite: REL-555.

This course teaches the art of pastoral care as it relates to the psychological and theological needs of persons and Christian communities. Theories of pastoral care, its ethical context, the healing functions of rituals, and specific interventions for predictable human needs such as birth, death, illness, trauma, marriage, divorce, and life passage celebrations will be considered. In addition, theological responses to the question of theodicy will be articulated. The class presents historical perspectives and practice through case studies and modeling. Prerequisite: REL-570.

This course celebrates different paradigms and models of church, paying special attention to more recent missional movements and their characteristics, theological commitments, and perceived trajectory/impact. Students will engage with research and in-depth analysis of church health assessment, and the application of pastoral leadership for local church missions fulfillment. This course teaches the assessment of church health and mission using a number of different evaluative tools. A professional ministry position is required for the completion of the course.

This course forms healthy pastoral leadership philosophy, habits, and dispositions in ministry leaders through engagement with central leadership texts, ecclesiological reflection, case studies, observation, strategic planning, and implementation in local church contexts. This course integrates theological, philosophical, cultural, educational, and administrative theories and best practices for ministry in staff, solo, and lead pastor positions. A professional ministry position is required for the completion of the course.

Students will learn how to do research on the topic they have selected for the thesis or project. They will evaluate current literature, analyze scholarly research, and design a methodology, summary, and conclusions to complete the thesis or project. Students will present either a written thesis that will contribute to a new understanding of a subject of the Christian faith, or a written project that will make a practical contribution to the growth of the church.

In this capstone, students work on a major project demonstrating an integrated interdisciplinary understanding of the overall masters curriculum including contextualized ministry experience. The project should be usable by a current or future employer or affiliated ministry.