Courses
Christian Ministry (CM)
CM 600 Spiritual Formation for Ministry (3)
This course explores the central place of growing intimacy with Christ as the basis for effective life and ministry. Designed to be experienced early in the programs of all students preparing for vocational ministry, it provides a pathway toward spiritual refreshment, deeper commitment, and disciplined living. The course is a blend of classroom and practical experiences in the spiritual disciplines, culminating in a 24-hour personal spiritual retreat.
This course explores the central place of growing intimacy with Christ as the basis for effective life and ministry. Designed to be experienced early in the programs of all students preparing for vocational ministry, it provides a pathway toward spiritual refreshment, deeper commitment, and disciplined living. The course is a blend of classroom and practical experiences in the spiritual disciplines, culminating in a 24-hour personal spiritual retreat.
CM 601 Philosophy and Foundation for Ministry (3)
This course assists students in responding, according to sound scriptural principles, to a rapidly changing culture and often confounding church scene. Attention is given to the biblical foundations of ministry, the development of mission, vision, and cultural responsiveness, the identification of calling, and the formation of core values. Students are guided through the process of developing a well-articulated philosophy of ministry.
This course assists students in responding, according to sound scriptural principles, to a rapidly changing culture and often confounding church scene. Attention is given to the biblical foundations of ministry, the development of mission, vision, and cultural responsiveness, the identification of calling, and the formation of core values. Students are guided through the process of developing a well-articulated philosophy of ministry.
CM 602 Emerging Church Issues (3)
Ministry in the twenty-first century faces trends and issues that are unique compared to any other time in history. The content of this course includes an analysis of major current trends and application for ministry in today’s church. Specific issues related to the emergence of a postmodern culture are discussed and critiqued with the goal of effective ministry for today and well into the future.
Ministry in the twenty-first century faces trends and issues that are unique compared to any other time in history. The content of this course includes an analysis of major current trends and application for ministry in today’s church. Specific issues related to the emergence of a postmodern culture are discussed and critiqued with the goal of effective ministry for today and well into the future.
CM 610 Outreach Ministries of a Vital Church (3)
This course is a study of the current thinking and practices of outreach and evangelism in the vital local church, especially in the Canadian context. Current trends and strategies are examined as a basis for students developing their personal witness strategies, plans, and commitments for evangelism in the local church.
This course is a study of the current thinking and practices of outreach and evangelism in the vital local church, especially in the Canadian context. Current trends and strategies are examined as a basis for students developing their personal witness strategies, plans, and commitments for evangelism in the local church.
CM 632 Homiletics (3)
This practical course explores a theology of preaching, as well as the preparation and delivery of biblical sermons from the epistles and poetic texts. Students are guided through the foundational disciplines of choosing, exegeting, and preaching a biblical passage.
This practical course explores a theology of preaching, as well as the preparation and delivery of biblical sermons from the epistles and poetic texts. Students are guided through the foundational disciplines of choosing, exegeting, and preaching a biblical passage.
CM 641 Theology of Christian Worship (3)
Contemporary ideas of worship include: an event that happens on Sunday mornings; the musical part of the gathering; or a whole lifestyle. All three approaches are a part of biblical worship, but none are complete in themselves. During this course we focus on what the Bible teaches on worship. By the end of the course work, students have a clear and substantive understanding of the theology and practice of biblical worship.
Contemporary ideas of worship include: an event that happens on Sunday mornings; the musical part of the gathering; or a whole lifestyle. All three approaches are a part of biblical worship, but none are complete in themselves. During this course we focus on what the Bible teaches on worship. By the end of the course work, students have a clear and substantive understanding of the theology and practice of biblical worship.
CM 701 Pastoral Theology and Practice (3)
This course explores the many dimensions of pastoral ministry from a biblical standpoint, with the goal of equipping students to function effectively as pastoral leaders within the contemporary culture. This course covers issues such as planning, scheduling, dealing with the expectations of others, administering the sacraments, performing weddings and funerals, functioning effectively with church staff (paid and volunteer), handling conflict and criticism, avoiding burnout, and other day-to-day aspects of the ministry.
This course explores the many dimensions of pastoral ministry from a biblical standpoint, with the goal of equipping students to function effectively as pastoral leaders within the contemporary culture. This course covers issues such as planning, scheduling, dealing with the expectations of others, administering the sacraments, performing weddings and funerals, functioning effectively with church staff (paid and volunteer), handling conflict and criticism, avoiding burnout, and other day-to-day aspects of the ministry.
CM 704 Small Group Ministry (3)
This course examines the theory and practice of Christian community through small group ministries. Major types of small groups and church programming models are highlighted. Special attention is given to local church administrative requirements, leadership training, implementation difficulties and issues, and oversight requirements which enable such ministries to be fruitful over the long-term.
This course examines the theory and practice of Christian community through small group ministries. Major types of small groups and church programming models are highlighted. Special attention is given to local church administrative requirements, leadership training, implementation difficulties and issues, and oversight requirements which enable such ministries to be fruitful over the long-term.
CM 714 Multigenerational Ministry in the 21st Century (3)
This course is an exploration of current sociological perspectives and the rapidly changing cultural views of North American family dynamics. The course places the family of today in its historical perspective and explores the variety of forms contemporary families have taken. Practical elements such as family communication, conflict resolution, spiritual growth, etc., are covered, with particular emphasis placed on the ministry implications of the changes being observed.
This course is an exploration of current sociological perspectives and the rapidly changing cultural views of North American family dynamics. The course places the family of today in its historical perspective and explores the variety of forms contemporary families have taken. Practical elements such as family communication, conflict resolution, spiritual growth, etc., are covered, with particular emphasis placed on the ministry implications of the changes being observed.
CM 722 The Christian and Spiritual Warfare (3)
This course is a biblical study of the Christian’s spiritual warfare with the inner sin nature, the world system, and evil supernaturalism. The material covered in the course is applicable to the Christian worker in North America, as well as for those in cross-cultural ministries.
This course is a biblical study of the Christian’s spiritual warfare with the inner sin nature, the world system, and evil supernaturalism. The material covered in the course is applicable to the Christian worker in North America, as well as for those in cross-cultural ministries.
CM 723 Men and Women in Ministry Together (3)
This course explores the roles of women and men in ministry. The biblical and historical perspectives of the roles of men and women are investigated. Current trends and global developments are also considered, with a view to the formation of a thoughtful, reflective, and balanced philosophy and approach.
This course explores the roles of women and men in ministry. The biblical and historical perspectives of the roles of men and women are investigated. Current trends and global developments are also considered, with a view to the formation of a thoughtful, reflective, and balanced philosophy and approach.
CM 736 Principles of Discipleship (3)
This course is designed to assist students in grappling with the theological and practical dimensions of discipleship. Students explore discipleship from the Bible and supporting literature and undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the formation of disciples in a contemporary ministry setting. This leads to the development of a plan of action for making disciples in the students’ current or future ministry contexts.
Course only offered by Distance Learning
This course is designed to assist students in grappling with the theological and practical dimensions of discipleship. Students explore discipleship from the Bible and supporting literature and undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the formation of disciples in a contemporary ministry setting. This leads to the development of a plan of action for making disciples in the students’ current or future ministry contexts.
Course only offered by Distance Learning
CM 742 Twenty Centuries of Christian Worship (3)
There is an increasing desire among contemporary churches to rediscover ancient ways of worshiping. This might mean seventh century liturgy, sixteenth century worship renewal, or the introduction of the church year. Research tells us that this desire is especially widespread among youth. During this course we examine some of the worship practices of the past twenty centuries and develop some tools to evaluate, discern, and lead in churches of today and the future.
There is an increasing desire among contemporary churches to rediscover ancient ways of worshiping. This might mean seventh century liturgy, sixteenth century worship renewal, or the introduction of the church year. Research tells us that this desire is especially widespread among youth. During this course we examine some of the worship practices of the past twenty centuries and develop some tools to evaluate, discern, and lead in churches of today and the future.
CM 743 Contemporary Worship Leadership (3)
This class functions largely as a practicum oriented around contemporary worship models. Included is consideration of the use of drama, dance, visual art, and symbol. Students have opportunities to lead in the classroom and seminary chapel context. Significant emphasis is placed on understanding worship leadership as a pastoral task. Time is also given for practical examples of how to work with contemporary musicians in a worship ministry context.
This class functions largely as a practicum oriented around contemporary worship models. Included is consideration of the use of drama, dance, visual art, and symbol. Students have opportunities to lead in the classroom and seminary chapel context. Significant emphasis is placed on understanding worship leadership as a pastoral task. Time is also given for practical examples of how to work with contemporary musicians in a worship ministry context.
CM 744 Music and the Arts in Worship (3)
Music and the arts have always been central to worship expression. This continues to be true in the evangelical church today; in many cases there seems to be an unhealthy and unbiblical equation of music and worship. This is often to the exclusion of other historical and biblical worship expression. During this course students develop a philosophy of music and the arts as they relate to corporate worship practice and church ministry.
Music and the arts have always been central to worship expression. This continues to be true in the evangelical church today; in many cases there seems to be an unhealthy and unbiblical equation of music and worship. This is often to the exclusion of other historical and biblical worship expression. During this course students develop a philosophy of music and the arts as they relate to corporate worship practice and church ministry.
CM 745 Pastoring Artists (3)
The central role of any church minister today is pastoral. Worship ministers are expected to be pastors first and foremost, often specifically to the artistic communities they work with. However, many worship pastors feel inadequate in this area. This course focuses on the unique pastoral needs of the arts community and the development of ministry tools for this group of people.
The central role of any church minister today is pastoral. Worship ministers are expected to be pastors first and foremost, often specifically to the artistic communities they work with. However, many worship pastors feel inadequate in this area. This course focuses on the unique pastoral needs of the arts community and the development of ministry tools for this group of people.
CM 746 Sign, Symbol, and Sacred Act in Christian Ministry (3)
Contemporary ideas of sign and symbol include: religious and mystical; corporate and commercial; individual and group (fashion); national and patriotic. However, many deep symbols have become trivialized in today’s culture (i.e. rock stars wear crosses at award ceremonies). During this study we investigate the use of sign, symbol, and sacred act in biblical material and church history, and give priority to the potential for reclamation of their profound meaning in contemporary practice.
Contemporary ideas of sign and symbol include: religious and mystical; corporate and commercial; individual and group (fashion); national and patriotic. However, many deep symbols have become trivialized in today’s culture (i.e. rock stars wear crosses at award ceremonies). During this study we investigate the use of sign, symbol, and sacred act in biblical material and church history, and give priority to the potential for reclamation of their profound meaning in contemporary practice.
CM 749 Church and Communication Technology (3)
Virtually every church uses technology to enhance its ministry. This study provides crucial information on how to effectively use technology, especially in the areas of sound reinforcement, lighting, PowerPointTM, graphic design, and video production. Ethical and philosophical issues related to the influence of technology in culture are also discussed. Upon completion of this course, students understand key areas of ministry technology and have a sense of their appropriate use in today’s church.
Virtually every church uses technology to enhance its ministry. This study provides crucial information on how to effectively use technology, especially in the areas of sound reinforcement, lighting, PowerPointTM, graphic design, and video production. Ethical and philosophical issues related to the influence of technology in culture are also discussed. Upon completion of this course, students understand key areas of ministry technology and have a sense of their appropriate use in today’s church.
CM 819 Christian Ministry Specialty (3)
This course focuses on a particular emphasis of Christian ministry. The focus of this course varies from year to year.
This course focuses on a particular emphasis of Christian ministry. The focus of this course varies from year to year.
CM 835 Advanced Preaching (3)
Students in this course investigate recent sermon development models in order to add variety and creativity to their biblical preaching ministries. Students are able to develop and practice a basic philosophy of creativity, especially in relation to preaching.
Students in this course investigate recent sermon development models in order to add variety and creativity to their biblical preaching ministries. Students are able to develop and practice a basic philosophy of creativity, especially in relation to preaching.
CM 838 Writing Creatively (3)
A writing skills course that develops expertise in several genres through a variety of writing exercises, encouraging and helpful instruction, and submission of full manuscripts to the instructor for grading and feedback. Students then select three major writing assignments for refinement and submission to a publisher.
Course only offered by Distance Learning
A writing skills course that develops expertise in several genres through a variety of writing exercises, encouraging and helpful instruction, and submission of full manuscripts to the instructor for grading and feedback. Students then select three major writing assignments for refinement and submission to a publisher.
Course only offered by Distance Learning