Doctoral Course Descriptions
BUSINESS
BUSN 701 – The Business of Ministry
This course provides advanced insights into the unique business challenges encountered within pastoral ministry. Topics covered include stewardship and accountability, managing benevolence and outreach, conducting board and business meetings, strategic budgeting, overseeing church facilities, effective fundraising, addressing human resource concerns, and handling salaries, tithes, and offerings. Guided by the biblical principle of faithful stewardship (1 Peter 4:10, NIV), this course equips pastors to manage church resources with wisdom and integrity.
CHURCH MINISTRY
CHMN 701 – Emerging Worship and the Response of the Church
This course explores the dynamic interactions between pastoral leadership and diverse church ministries, highlighting the integral roles and functions within the ecclesiastical community. Key focus areas include ministry to children, youth, worship and music, singles, Christian education, small groups, missions, senior adults, prayer, and outreach initiatives. Rooted in the biblical model of the Church as one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12, NIV), this course prepares students to lead and integrate various ministries within the church effectively.
CHMN 702 – Issues in Pastoral Ministry
This course examines significant social challenges that pastors encounter in modern ministry, focusing on topics such as religion, racism, sexual identity, politics, relativism, the death penalty, stem cell research, abortion, assisted suicide, and immigration. It aims to equip students with the critical tools and perspectives to navigate these issues effectively within their pastoral roles. Guided by the biblical command to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, NIV), this course empowers pastors to address contemporary issues with wisdom and compassion.
CHMN 703 – Holistic Wellness
This course provides pastors with the tools necessary to attain and sustain balance across various aspects of life, including social, physical, emotional, personal, environmental, intellectual, vocational, spiritual, financial, and relational dimensions. It is designed to foster a comprehensive approach to wellness that integrates personal health and spiritual fulfillment. Rooted in the biblical principle of honoring God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV), this course equips pastors to lead lives of holistic wellness that reflect their calling.
COMMUNICATION
COMC 701 – Biblical Preaching
This course equips pastoral students with the skills to powerfully deliver God’s Word to contemporary congregations across diverse contexts. It covers the principles of biblical preaching, strategies for engaging communication, selecting themes, rigorous study methods, message organization, narrative techniques, visual aids, audience engagement, effective conclusions, and eliciting responses. Inspired by Paul’s charge to preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV), this course prepares students to communicate the Gospel effectively in the modern world.
COMC 702 – World Religions and Cults
This course examines the core tenets of predominant non-Christian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam, focusing on their distinctive understandings of fundamental human dilemmas and their proposed resolutions. It also considers the rise and development of new religious movements and sects, assessing their doctrines and practices. Rooted in the biblical call to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3, NIV), this course equips students to engage with and understand other belief systems while standing firm in their Christian faith.
COUNSELING
COUN 701 – Pastoral Counseling
This course explores the nuanced challenges pastors encounter in counseling, such as determining the commitment level, duration, and counseling methods appropriate for different issues. It covers key topics, including the discernment process for referrals to professional counselors, integrating scriptural wisdom, fostering hope and accountability, providing advice and assignments, and effective strategies for concluding counseling engagements. Guided by the biblical mandate to counsel with wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 20:5, NIV), this course equips pastors to offer compassionate and effective counseling.
LEADERSHIP
LEAD 701 – Pastoral Leadership
This course explores church leadership principles and their practical application for pastoral figures within a ministry context. It covers a spectrum of topics, including the definition of pastoral leadership, emulating Jesus’ leadership model, fostering discipleship and mentoring, articulating vision, setting objectives, cultivating teams, strategizing for church growth, navigating transitions, gleaning insights from errors, and embodying servanthood through exemplary conduct. Inspired by Christ’s example of servant leadership (Mark 10:45, NIV), this course prepares pastors to lead with humility and purpose.
READING
REDN 701 – Readings in Christianity
This course engages students with three seminal textbooks to explore diverse perspectives on current theological and practical challenges in Christianity. Participants are expected to thoroughly read each text and compose a comprehensive 15-20 page analysis, discussing the principal arguments of the book and their relevance to real-world ministry and life experiences. Guided by the biblical principle of studying diligently (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV), this course prepares students to engage deeply with contemporary Christian thought and practice.
RESEARCH
RSCH 700 – Research and Thesis Writing & RSCH 701 – Doctoral Research Project
This eighteen-credit doctoral course equips candidates with the tools to design and conduct a significant research project that blends academic rigor with practical ministry application. In Phase 1, students will develop a 60-75-page academic paper integrating biblical, historical, and contemporary research to address key ministry issues and provide original insights.
In Phase 2, students will create a 100-125-page book that applies their research to real-world church challenges. Grounded in the biblical principle of seeking wisdom (Proverbs 4:7, NIV), this phase bridges theory and practice, enabling candidates to offer meaningful solutions and demonstrate expertise that enhances their ministry impact.
