Course Summary

Insights into Christian ministry

The course analyzes of the concept and forms of ministry within the context of the New Testament against its Jewish background and post-apostolic activity. The study offers critical analysis for ministry in today's world, identifies models of ministry from the Scriptures, explains the purpose and mission of the church and the dynamics of church life, presents the biblical basis of the priesthood of believers in the development of people toward Christian maturity and ministry, and notes how the church comprises the people of God--gifted, divers, commissioned, and Christ-centers. The course is constructed in five modules: (1) Background to Christian Ministry, (2) Ministry in the New Testament: Overview, (3) Ministry in the New Testament: Detail, (4) Ministry in the Ante-Nicean Church, and (5) Theory and Practice of Modern Ministry. 3 semester hours of undergraduate credit.  No credit allowed with BRS 23.

Objectives

• Compare leadership organization found in the Old Testament, ancient times, and Jewish institutions

• Analyze the concept of ministry by function, organization, roles, and purpose

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

Credit. Credit for the course requires a score of 70% or greater on three multiple-choice examinations and two essays. Each exam and essay is valued at 20% of the final grade.  A sample exam problem is given below.

Sensing the need to evangelize all nations, the church of the 1st 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) preached to Jews first, then to Gentiles.

Resources

A Bible in any translation (NIV recommended)

See Electronic Collection for readings