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Ministry

MIN 596NE

History and Polity of the Free Methodist Church

Credits: 2

Through self-directed study and classroom discussion, students will investigate the pertinent historical, theological, and governmental documents of the Free Methodist Church of North America.  This course is designed to meet the ordination requirements for the Free Methodist Church.

[Elective]

MIN 597NE

Doctrine, History, and Polity of the American Baptist Church

Credits: 2

Through self-directed study and classroom discussion, students will investigate the pertinent historical, theological, and governmental documents of the American Baptist Church. This course is designed to meet the ordination requirements of the American Baptist Church. Taught by a denominationally-approved instructor.

[Elective]

MIN 598NE

Doctrine, History, and Polity of the Nazarene Church

Credits: 2

Through self-directed study and classroom discussion, students will investigate the pertinent historical, theological, and governmental documents of the Nazarene Church. This course is designed to meet the ordination requirements of the Nazarene Church. Taught by a denominationally-approved instructor.

[Elective]

MIN 599NE

Doctrine, History, and Polity of the Presbyterian Church

Credits: 4

Through self-directed study and classroom discussion, students will investigate the pertinent historical, theological, and governmental documents of the Presbyterian Church, PC (USA). This course is designed to meet the ordination requirements of the Presbyterian Church. Taught by a denominationally-approved instructor.

[Elective]

MIN 621NE

Worship Leadership      

Credits: 2

This course examines the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship from an ecumenical perspective.  It surveys major features of worship, including the Christian calendar, word and sacrament, the role of music, liturgical space, and occasional services.  In addition to classical patterns, the course discusses contemporary trends in worship, including the liturgical renewal movement, charismatic and neo-Pentecostal influences, and the seeker-service movement.  The aim of the course is to guide the student in building a foundation for the ministry of worship planning and leadership.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]         

MIN 623NE

Church Administration             

Credits: 2

Resting on the classical concepts of church administration as “administry,” this course seeks to develop pastoral competencies for stewardship of the Church’s human and temporal resources.  The course explores the biblical, historical, and theological roots of pastoral leadership.  Course participants work on the development of skills in the areas of organizational management, congregational development, equipping for ministry, and mission planning.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]

MIN 624NE

Pastoral Care                  

Credits: 2

This course surveys the history, theology, and practice of the care of souls in the Christian tradition.  Employing the analogy of a physician’s care for the physical body, the course seeks to develop proficiencies necessary in the pastor’s responsibility to care for the spiritual person.  Among the issues explored, specific attention is given to pastoral visitation, spiritual direction, pastoral counsel, crisis ministries, care of the dying, and development of Christian community.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]         

MIN 625NE

Evangelism and Discipleship      

Credits: 2

This course explores the theory, strategy, and methodology of the Church’s ministry of evangelism and discipleship.  The insights of cultural anthropology, faith-development theory, and the connection between evangelism and spiritual formation are explored.  The course seeks to develop an approach to evangelism that is the natural expression of the Church’s faith, appropriate to its cultural context, and effective in communicating the gospel.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]

MIN 626NE

Leadership Development           

Credits: 2

Rooted in a Christological model of biblical servanthood, this course examines the pastoral role in the development of congregational leadership. Topics of study include personal leadership, team building, the development of reproducible systems, and the identification, training, empowering, and nurturing of the laity for ministry. The course explores strategies for achieving both missional faithfulness and organizational effectiveness in the life of the local congregation.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]

MIN 627NE

Interpreting the Scriptures       

Credits: 2

Within the Holy Scriptures, we find the primary written witness to the revelation of God.  Hence the Scriptures have, since the beginning of the Church, been read in public worship, studied in private devotion, and employed as the final authority in theological debate.  This course will explore the place of the Scriptures in the life of the Church in several regards:  as the primary written source of divine revelation, the methodologies employed by the historic Church and in modern critical studies, and the contemporary appropriation of the Scriptures in the life of the Church and of the Christian.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]

MIN 628NE

Teaching Doctrine         

Credits: 2

This course introduces students to the teaching of doctrine in the pastoral work. Students will consider catechesis in various ecclesial settings: historical (the classical catechisms) and contemporary; children and adult; as well as in evangelism, membership, and nurture.

[Required: M.Div; Elective: M.A.]

 

MIN 629NE

Lectionary Preaching    

Credits: 3

The Lectionary, which follows the church year, is a helpful tool for both personal study and sermon preparation, covering a major portion of the Bible over a three-year period. This course will focus on using the Lectionary to the best advantage, understanding both its benefits and pitfalls.  In this course, we will address how to speak through the Lectionary to relevant topics in the culture and the Church. The act of preaching in the congregation lies at the core of what defines a pastor; therefore, pastors should continually seek ways to expand their preaching repertoire and develop their preaching skills.  Each student will have the opportunity to preach at least once from Lectionary passages corresponding to the week he/she is assigned to preach. The focus will be placed on sermon preparation and delivery, faithfulness to the biblical text(s), and relevancy in preaching.

[M.A. Elective; M.Div. requires either MIN 629NE or MIN 630NE]

 MIN 630NE

Expository Preaching     

Credits: 3

Expository preaching seeks to present sermons which are true to the message and form of a biblical passage, drawing their ideas from the biblical text itself; expository preachers typically work consecutively through a biblical book or section of a book. This course will trace the move from text to sermon and aid students in the study, shaping, and presentation of sermons which follow scripture. Each student will preach at least once in class. The beginning stages of the class will examine the spiritual life of the minister, with a particular focus on prayer, and then move to the study and exegesis of individual biblical passages. The class will then study the transition from text to sermon, with special attention to the sermon having a form which fits the form of the biblical passage. The class will conclude with work on effective public presentation.

[M.A. Elective; M.Div. requires either MIN 629NE or MIN 630NE]

MIN 641NE

Topics in Contemporary Ministries

Credits: 2 or 3     

These courses of selected topics will be offered periodically.  In addition, students may attend any number of national or regional church seminars with prior faculty approval.  Students attending church seminars will contact a faculty member and do additional independent or classroom study to earn graduate credits.  Prior approval required.

[Elective]

MIN 642NE

Topics in Contemporary Ministries: The Black Church and Community (Contemporary Perspectives)

Credits: 2

Students are introduced to the state and status of the contemporary Black Church in relation to its history, the African American community, and its social institutions. The course will consider the changed role of the Black Church since the Civil Rights movement, and the developmental issues faced by the Black Church at the beginning of the 21st century.  Students will explore the potential benefit of grafting practices of the Black Church into the social and worship life of European American congregations.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 645NE

Nurturing Healthy Families

Credits: 2 or 3

This course focuses on understanding and ministering to families using a developmental life-cycle perspective.  A model for ministry to families across the developmental life cycle will be constructed.  Case studies will be examined and discussed in several class sessions.  Attention will be focused on fostering healthy Christian families.  Students will develop skills in mapping and analyzing families using genograms and home visitations.  They will formulate strategies for ministering to families with common variations such as single parent, blended, and elderly families.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 647NE

Topics in Contemporary Ministries: Ministry to the Dying and Bereaved

Credits: 2

This course seeks to develop pastoral leadership skills to provide spiritual care to those experiencing loss and grief. The course focuses on the role of the minister in providing understanding, guidance, and support to children and young, middle, and senior adults. Strategies for helping people of all ages to cope with loss and grief will be discussed. Cultural practices relative to funerals, graveside services, viewing, cremation, and hospital visitation will be explored. Participants will develop listening skills and the ability to interpret and use Scripture appropriately within the context of loss.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 648NE

Topics in Contemporary Ministries: Leadership for Church Growth      

Credits: 2

This course provides an understanding of how to lead churches according to size. The focus is on learning how small, middle-sized, and large churches operate, and how an effective leader functions in each of these settings. The topics studied include the five levels of leadership, barriers to growth faced by small, middle-sized, and large churches, and how to adjust one’s leadership style as the church grows. The process of implementing change according to church size is also addressed. This course is designed to help a pastor grow as an effective leader as the church grows.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 649NE

Topics in Contemporary Ministries: Contemporary Ethical Issues

Credits: 2

This course is designed to help those in or entering ministry to understand better their own ethical perspective and apply it to significant ethical questions facing society today.  Issues to be covered include: approaches to ethical decision-making (both general and explicitly Christian), bio-ethical issues (reproductive technology, genetic screening, physician-assisted suicide), social issues (pornography, sexual harassment), and business issues (job discrimination, capitalism). A number of articles will be read, followed by in-class discussion. Students also will prepare and present an 8-10 page paper in which they identify a current social issue of significance, outline their own approach to ethical decision-making, and then apply this approach to the issue at hand.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 667NE

The Fantasy Literature of Tolkien and Lewis

Credits: 3

This course will look at fantasy works by both authors, and Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy-Stories” will provide the critical context and language for the discussion of these works.  Among Tolkien’s works that we will examine are The Fellowship of the Ring, Smith of Wootton Major, and Farmer Giles of Ham.  Among Lewis’s works that we will study are The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Great Divorce, and Till We Have Faces.  The students will examine the relationship between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches during the first half of the 20th century and will consider themes of good and evil, temptation, mercy, and redemption in Tolkien’s and Lewis’s writings as well as biblical and mythological influences on their texts.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

 

MIN 668NE

Willow Creek Leadership Summit

Credits: 2

Through attendance at the annual Willow Creek Leadership Summit Conference and post-summit class meetings, this course will provide exposure to core, cutting-edge principles of leadership being practiced in modern culture and will facilitate a biblical and theological examination of each.  Course reading assignments, instruction and dialog with the professor, and a major final paper will enable the students to critique current leadership styles and discern their appropriateness in Christian life and ministry.

[Elective]

MIN 669NE

Globalization and Local Church Missions

Credits:  2

In this course, we will study globalization and the effects it has on missions in the local church. Globalization is having a direct impact on local church missions, both at home and abroad.  As the world has become a “smaller” place, there is a greater need to develop diversity and ecumenical cooperation in doing missions.  Globalization has created interdependencies of global communities, and the integration of macro economies has directly impacted countries by improving or weakening poverty-stricken areas. This course examines the international dimensions of globalization (missions and evangelism), as well as the local dimensions (cultural awareness and human diversity).

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 670NE

Prison Ministries

Credits:  2

                              

The main focus of this course will be on people confined to penal institutions.  Specific attention will be given to the psychological and spiritual impact of incarceration.  There will be a strong emphasis on the various approaches to and opportunities for ministry within the jail/prison setting, and to families who have a member in jail.  Students also will explore what it means to do a partnering ministry, personally or as a team, with the Body of Christ “behind the gates.”

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 650NE

Bioethics and Ministry in the 21st Century

Credits: 2

Human cloning is very near.  Healthcare rationing is an increasing reality.  Comfort care for the dying increasingly hastens death.  This course is designed to help those currently in, or entering ministry to understand better their own ethical perspective (their own general approach to ethical decision-making) and how this perspective applies to bioethical tensions such as those mentioned above.  In addition to reading and discussing a number of assigned articles, students will have the opportunity to prepare and present a detailed analysis of an ethical issue they perceive to be of particular social significance.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 651NE

Seeker-Sensitive Ministry:  Evangelism in a Postmodern Culture

Credits: 2

The course will focus on how to reach people for Jesus Christ in a post-modern, pre-Christian culture using culturally-relevant biblical techniques that are working in cutting-edge churches around the country.  The three primary objectives of the course will be learning what a culturally-relevant ministry looks like, discovering its cultural tendencies, and  learning how to take a church into a plan that is culturally relevant without killing the church in the process.  The course will work on being unusually practical with direct ministry application.  The theme is that God wants the Church to be effective in the manner we read about in the Book of Acts.  Many churches are, but many more can be.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 652NE

Navigating the Minefield of the Parish:  Conflict in the Local Church

Credits: 2

How should church leaders respond when a member, a sub-group, or the entire congregation “gets mad” at them?  What should they do when members of the church or the staff are fighting among themselves?  What can leaders do when the congregation gets upset with the ecclesiastical hierarchy outside the local church?  The church leader’s role as referee, mediator, and conciliator will be examined in this seminar, as well as their personal involvement as participant or bystander, and (most importantly) as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 653NE

Developing Christian Community Through Small Groups

Credits: 2

Rooted in a biblical understanding of koinonia, this course examines the role of small groups in the local church today.  Topics of study include the biblical foundations, the mission and philosophy, and the leading and organization of small groups.  This course explores strategies for developing authentic community and empowering leaders through effective small groups in the local congregation.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 654NE

The Fundamentals of Finance for Ministers and Churches

Credits: 2

This course is designed to help church administrators and those currently in (or entering) ministry understand the fundamentals of finance, an area of vulnerability for many ministers and churches.  The process of developing personal and church budgets will be discussed.  Proper procedures will be identified for handling monies, record keeping, controlling expenditures, and auditing.  Available resources and tools for the management of both personal and church finances will be introduced.  Students will be taught how to read and interpret financial statements.  Each student will examine in-depth a specific ministry (preferably their own) to understand the challenges of managing it financially and creating a financial plan and “balance sheet” for that ministry.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 656NE

Engaging the Mass Media: Strategies for Advancing Christian Perspectives

Credits: 2

Are the news media unfair to Christians?  Are reporters hostile to faith?  Can men and women of God represent Christian values to readers, listeners, and viewers through communications media that are often viewed as secular and humanistic?  This course seeks to guide the student in an understanding of news-media values and how Christians can gainfully represent their beliefs and actions through this critical medium.  Students will learn skills in preparing for news-media engagements including editorial articles, media appearances, and one-on-one interviews.  Designed to combine theory and practice, the course will focus on the development of a media-messaging strategy that effectively engages postmodern culture while advancing the priorities and principles of the Kingdom of God.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 657NE

Sacred Texts, Sacred Music

Credits: 2

Well-chosen songs and hymns for Christian worship make Scripture memorable, teach doctrine, interpret biblical texts, and provide a vocabulary of feeling for human religious experience.  Choices for worship should emphasize the words which are sung rather than focusing primarily on details of musical style.  This course provides a survey of Scripture and doctrine in texts for use in church singing in a variety of settings (classical, traditional, and contemporary) in light of the theology of worship. Examples also will illustrate theological considerations such as matching the text and music to the place of worship; maximizing participation in worship; using sacred music in spiritual formation, both for personal devotions and group study; and finding and incorporating lost resources in contemporary worship.  Assignments will include exercises in listening as well as reading and will be tailored to the individual practical needs of the student.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 659NE

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings

Credits: 2

At the beginning of the 21st century, Tolkien’s works are enjoying renewed popularity.  This course will examine The Lord of the Rings in light of other texts by Tolkien such as The Silmarillion, The Tolkien Reader, and Letters of

 J. R. R. Tolkien as well as secondary texts such as Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter and Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce.  The students will consider themes of good, evil, temptation, mercy, and redemption in Tolkien’s writing, as well as biblical and mythological influences on his texts.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 660NE

Church Planting            

Credits: 2            

Starting a new church isn’t as simple as hanging a sign on the front of a building that says, “New church meets here: everyone is welcome!”  The starting of a church that is truly effective requires a successful progression through well-established stages of development (much like the child-development process in the womb) and the careful development of key strategies and systems that allow the church to start and stay healthy.  The course will provide a comprehensive primer on the preparation, the personnel, the principles, and the process of planting a church as well as examining what to expect and prepare for in the early years of the church.  The course is not only vital for those considering involvement in or the starting of a new church, but it will help anyone desiring to re-start or bring renewal to an established church.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 662NE

Effective Youth Ministry

Credits: 3

This course will explore the foundations for building an effective youth ministry.  Course material will address both the theoretical and practical issues involved in the construction of relevant, contemporary youth ministries.  These include a theological understanding of youth ministry, the dynamics of cultural and congregational systems, and an overview of adolescence and faith development.  Students will also consider the topics of meaningful youth programs, service learning as faith in action, resources for the journey, and care for the youth worker.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 663NE

Faith-Based Community and Economic Development

Credits: 2

This course is designed to help ordained ministers, lay leaders, or those currently in (or entering) ministry understand the fundamentals of Faith-Based Community and Economic Development. This is an arena of both opportunity and vulnerability for many ministers and churches.  The process of developing non-profit organizations will be discussed.  Proper procedures will be identified for developing collaborative relationships with local, state, and federal organizations. Available resources and tools for establishing Community Development Corporations will be introduced.  Students will be taught how to create and manage resources from diverse funding sources.  Each student will examine a specific ministry in-depth  (1) to understand the challenges of managing it, and (2) to create a strategic and tactical plan for his/her church, ministry, or organization.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 664NE

Multicultural Worship

Credits: 2

This course contains an in-depth look at the current trend of praise and worship which has crossed denominational and cultural boundaries in the body of Christ.  It will review its theological and historical foundations, as well as its usefulness in multi-cultural worship settings.  The course will provide training for effective worship leadership and for planning the praise and worship portion of the worship service.  It will review the role of music in the worship service and provide practical worship experiences.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 665NE

Building a Leadership Legacy: Finishing Well from the Start

Credits: 2

This course will explore the deep, positive influence of legacy on the Christian leader’s ministry, from the start and through the transitions that will naturally follow.  It will examine several examples in Scripture of how a legacy was cultivated, the essentials and dynamics of legacy today, and the development of strategies that will foster a vibrant legacy appropriate to each student’s ministry.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 671NE

Equipping the Laity

Credits:  2

One of the primary roles of church leaders is “to prepare God’s people for works of service” (Ephesians 4:12). The involvement of lay people in ministry is a crucial component in discipleship and should be a primary objective for ordained ministers. However, the reality is that pastors often find themselves overworked and frustrated by the lack of ministry involvement by their parishioners. On the other hand, many parishioners find themselves wishing they had more meaningful ministry opportunities. This course will work at developing a biblical view of ministry, a historical perspective on the roles of clergy and laity, and a contemporary approach to equipping the laity in the church.  The goal is to help both ordained ministers and lay leaders recapture the rich and rewarding heritage of ministry that utilizes all God’s people.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 672NE

Strategic Planning for Churches and Nonprofit Organizations

Credits:  2

This course reviews the reasons why churches and nonprofit organizations should embrace strategic planning as a way of improving their performance.  It presents an effective strategic planning process that has been successfully used by leaders of nonprofit organizations.  The course is comprised of a set of concepts, procedures, and tools that can help leaders enhance organizational achievement.  Overall, the course is based on the premise that leaders of churches and nonprofit organizations must be effective strategists in order to fulfill their missions.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

MIN 673NE

Human Sexuality

Credits: 2

This course is designed to help church leaders understand more fully normal and abnormal human sexual behavior and attitudes.  The course will include both personal and ministerial applications.  From a Christian psychological perspective the course will address individual sexuality, sexual addictions and temptations, homosexuality, and the theological implications of sexuality.

[Elective: see Master Course Schedule]

 

MIN 674NE

Marriage and Family Counseling

Credits:  2

This course will assist pastoral and lay leaders to identify counseling strategies that address marital and family conflict.  Appropriate intervention includes learning the scope of clergy responsibilities and how to network with trusted and specialized community resources.  Topics include: promoting newly-married and step-family adjustment; dealing with adultery and divorce; recognizing and responding to domestic violence; treating addictions to drug, alcohol and pornography; and coping with traumatic memories and loss.
[Elective]

MIN 675NE

Pastoral Intervention in Marital and Family Conflict

Credits:  2

This course assists the student in examining and establishing useful intervention strategies that address marital and family conflict.  Identification and management of these sensitive and difficult issues include learning the scope of the clergy’s responsibilities and how to network with trusted and specialized community resources. Topics covered include: marital and step-family adjustment, dealing with affairs and divorce, recognition and response to domestic violence, addictions to drug, alcohol and pornography, and coping with traumatic memories and loss.
[Elective]

MIN 690NE

Research Seminar

Credits: 2

This course is designed to serve as the capstone to the M.A. degree.  (M. Div. students may take it for elective credit.)  It includes instruction in theological bibliography, research, and writing.  The student will research a selected topic and prepare a 20-page written paper.

[Required for M.A]
[Elective]

MIN 695NE

Independent Study in Christian Ministry           

Credits: 1

Through self-selected studies, the student is given the opportunity to investigate additional areas of Christian Ministry – current and historical.

(Advisor and faculty approval required.)

[Elective]

MIN 699NE

M.A. Thesis       

Credits: 2-6         

This course is a research option for M.A. students.  When approved at an NES faculty meeting, it takes the place of MIN 690. Students will design a research project in some area of Christian ministry.

[Prerequisites: Faculty Permission]

MIN 731NE, 732NE, 733NE, 734NE   

Field Education

Credits: 3            

This sequence of four courses will provide the student with hands-on professional training from capable practitioners and educators. Students will develop professional understanding and competence in ministry. Each course provides time for on-site training, personal and peer reflection, and classroom instruction. Personal and Spiritual Formation (Faith Sharing Groups) is a continuing aspect of Field Education. M.Div. students take all four courses (twelve credits) and are expected to complete placements in both a parish and non-parish setting.  M.A. students take one (three credits) and choose a placement best suited for their intended ministry.

[M.Div: all required; M.A: MIN 731 required]

MIN 790NE

Integration Seminar

Credits: 3

This course is designed to serve as the capstone to the M.Div. degree.  Students conduct a review of their learning and experience in the Core curriculum, required and elective courses, PSF program, and field education.  These are integrated in the preparation of a written ministry plan and professional portfolio.

[Required for M.Div]

 

MIN 799NE

M.Div. Thesis

Credits: 2 to 6

This course is a research option for M.Div. students.  When approved at an NES faculty meeting, it takes the place of M.Div. electives. Students will design a research project in some area of Christian ministry.

[Prerequisites: Faculty permission]