Course Summary

An historical, biblical, and analytical survey of the history of ministry, with practical application

The course examines various biblical and non-biblical references which deal with the concept of ministry/leadership among Jews and Christians. From this foundation, the student is guided in application through live ministry. The course is divided into three modules: (1) Ministry within a Biblical Context, (2) Ministry within an Historical Context, and (3) Ministry within a Contemporary Context. Following completion of the third exam, the student shall undertake a three-month long supervised field project, which shall culminate in a written report. 3 semester hours of graduate credit. The course may be taken if the student completed BRS 23, but not if the student has taken discontinued M 603. Not open to students who are incarcerated.

Objectives

• Explain the function, organization, roles, and purpose of ministry from contextual and biblical perspectives.

• Examine the development of ministry in the Ante-Nicean period of church history.

• Relate the mission of the church and the dynamics of church life to modern situations.

Credit.  Credit for the course requires a score of 70% or greater on three multiple choice examinations and a project report. The project report is written after completion of a three-month supervised project. A sample multiple-choice exam problem is given below.

Sensing the need to evangelize all nations, the church of the first century
(A) met in conference in Jerusalem to decide the best methodology, (B) organized itself into small clusters, with each cluster targeting a given people group, (C) targeted the Gentiles almost from its beginning, (D) did none of these.

Resources.  The student is expected to read at least 375 pages (15 hours) of the student's choosing from the Extended Resources, Select Library, or comparable books and/or articles.