Ministry

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed and briefly described below.

Please understand that it is impossible to list all of the various texts that might be used in these courses

Therefore, we have not attempted to list the required texts per each course. These are simply some suggested texts for the courses in question. In nearly all cases, there will be other texts also required. These other texts will be determined between the professor and the student.

Click here for Reading and Writing Requirements.

Also, sometimes a text is listed for more than one course—this, however, does not mean that one can simply read a single text for several courses. If a student has read a particular text for a class, he/she cannot use that same text again for another course.

Next, some of the suggested texts may no longer be in print. If this is the case, the students and their mentors will simply select other, newer texts dealing with the same topic.

It is important to make clear that though we offer studies in a variety of theological and philosophical perspectives, CES does not necessarily endorse all of the positions listed in the course descriptions. However, rather than simply telling students what to think, it is our belief that an institution of education should allow an open atmosphere of learning, and that includes reading, studying, and critiquing various perspectives within Christianity. We believe that students deserve the right to read, critique, and decide for themselves which perspectives they believe to be correct. To this end, some courses are set up to see both sides of a debate: for example see courses TH-603/803 Eschatology, TH-206/406 Sanctification, and TH-615/815 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts.

(Number Name Hours Description)

PM-101/301 Youth Ministry Specialties I 4SH A study of high school youth ministries.

PM-102/302 Youth Ministry Specialties II 4SH A study of the interrelatedness of the youth ministry within the local church. No ministry is to be isolated from the local church, and the youth ministry is seen as an integral part of the function of the ministry of the church as a whole.

PM-103/303 Youth Ministry Specialties III 4SH A study of junior high school youth ministries.

PM-104/304 Youth Ministry Specialties IV 4SH A study that expounds the methods of the recruitment and the training of volunteer workers within the youth ministries.

PM-201/401 Youth Ministry Specialties V 4SH A study of the theological aspects of the renewal of youth ministries.

PM-202/402 Youth Ministry Specialties VI 4SH Counseling and ministering to the needs of youth who are passing through difficult time is the focus of this study.

PM-203/403 Youth Ministry Specialties VII 4SH A study of the various resources that are available to the youth minister.

PM-204/404 Youth Ministry Administration 4SH A study informing youth workers the most efficient ways to organize and administrate their youth ministries.

PM-205/405 Youth Workers Spirituality 4SH A study that directs youth workers to keep on the cutting edge of their own spirituality which in turn overflows into the lives of those they minister to.

PM-206/406 American Youth Ministries 4SH A study of the various aspects of youth ministry within the American culture.

PM-490 Bachelor's Senior Paper 8SH For those who desire to do research and writing, the option of a Bachelor's Senior Paper in Pastoral Ministry is available. The student will select a topic of ministry and will make proposal of his topic to a mentor.

PM-602/802 Church Conflicts 4SH This course instructs the student in the reasons that conflicts arise in the church even among the finest people. Also, student is instructed in how to deal with the conflicts that arise.

PM-603/803 Worship 4SH This study gives a biblical perspective, authentic reverence, and creative stimulation for those interested in renewing worship according to the biblical method.

PM-604/804 Church Growth 4SH This study proposes that it is the spiritual dimension that is more often the cause of poor church growth. This study attempts to correct that.

PM-605/805 Introduction to Pastoral Principles 4SH This is a study of the basic principles of leading a church, reaching new people, assimilating converts, counseling and more.

PM-606/806 Clergy Spiritual Formation 4SH Examines the spiritual processes by which clergy are conformed to the image of Christ. It includes planning a spiritual retreat where themes of rest, rhythm and renewal are explored, and students develop a personalized spiritual growth plan that embraces traditional disciplines such as prayer, fasting, service, devotion, silence, and more.

PM-690 Master's Thesis 8SH For those who desire to do research and writing, the option of a Master's thesis is available. The student will select a topic of study and will make proposal of his topic to a mentor.

PM-890 Doctoral Dissertation 8SH For those who desire to do research and writing, the option of a Doctoral dissertation is available. The student will select a topic of study and will make proposal of his topic to a mentor.

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