CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM
Course Descriptions
The Spiritual Disciplines
This course provides an introduction to the spiritual disciplines (Simplicity, Service, Meditation, Spirit Worship, Fasting, Study etc) as a necessary component to realize and maintain one's spiritual life and ministry. Students will explore various topics within the spiritual disciplines, with a special emphasis on a Spirit-empowered experience in a daily relationship with God.
Required Textbooks:
o Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation. Kenneth Boa. 2001, 543 pgs.
o Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. 3rd ed. Richard J. Foster.1998, 228 pgs.
The Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts are called “manifestation of the Spirit” and reveal God’s presence and power among His people. This course will discuss the role of spiritual gifts within the context of the local church. The goal is to equip the student to understand, identify and cultivate spiritual gifts as well as encourage and equip those with whom they minister and fellowship. Special attention will be given to the role of leadership during times of spiritual renewal and revival as well as the challenge to establish a culture which encourages the operation of the gifts and from scripture explains their importance in the church today.
Required Textbooks:
o Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience. William W. and Robert P. Menzies. (Zondervan; 2000), 208 pgs.
o The Beginners Guide to Spiritual Gifts. 2 ed. Sam Storms (Bethany House Publishers; 2013), 178 pgs.
Advanced Preaching
Preaching in the Pentecostal Pulpit today requires a variety of skills. Many skills are personally owned (physical presence and style) while others (academic study methods) need to be developed. This course is designed to advance the skills engaged within the Pastor’s study; examining methods used to discover the Character, Will and Mission of God as revealed in His Word. This course will study the use and forms of Biblical exegesis which is intended to advance our interpretive accuracy thereby providing a clear and accurate understanding of scriptural revelation. The student will be taught introductory skills in the use of Greek and Hebrew languages along with an examination of the ancient pre-Apostolic interpretive methods used to define and defend biblical doctrine.
Required Textbooks:
o Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Walter Kaiser. 1998, 230 pgs.
o Exploring Our Hebraic Heritage. Marvin R Wilson. 2014, 272 pgs.
Biblical Counseling
This course serves as an introduction to biblical counseling within the context of pastoral and helping ministry in the church. The course will entail an overview of counseling needs and issues often confronted by the contemporary pastor, with a biblical background for guiding individuals to personal wholeness and godliness. The unique role, advantages and limitations of the pastoral counselor will also be considered.
Required Textbook:
o Christian Counseling: Revised and Updated. 3rd ed. Gary Collins. 2006, 768 pgs.
Discipleship and Small Groups
This course will focus on two specific themes: (1) The practical application of disciple-making and (2) The development of effective small groups in the context of the local church. The Discipleship component will include a comprehensive study of all the Spiritual disciplines essential to a contemporary disciple of Jesus Christ, with emphasis on personal development. The Small Group component will deal with Small Group structure, organization, and leadership. Some areas of focus will be: how and why to conduct small groups, how to develop new leaders, and how to oversee small groups and leaders. The two themes will blend to give the student a practical structure by which they can conduct small groups as a discipleship tool in a variety of ministry settings.
Required Textbooks:
o The Lost Art of Disciple Making. LeRoy Eims. 1978, 195 pgs.
o Making Small Groups Work: What Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know. Henry Cloud & John Townsend. 2013, 280 pgs.
Apologetics
Christian Apologetics (Gk. “speaking in defense”) is a branch of study that seeks to serve God in the church by helping to equip believers, through systematic study, to define and defend their faith and practice. [1 Peter 3:15-16] We may define apologetics as ‘the discipline that teaches Christians how to give a reason for their hope’. In this course we will deal with The Holy Scriptures as a proof, defense, and witness.’ Some of the topics covered include: “Evidence for God, Divine Design, What is Truth, Proof of Messiah, Resurrection, Evolution or Creation, Inspired Scripture.”
Required Textbooks:
o Christian Apologetics. Norman Geisler. 2013, 417 pages
o Apologetics for a New Generation. Sean McDowell - David Kinnaman. 2009, 234 pages
Marriage and the Family
This course will address the sometimes complex issues of Marriage and Family, including parenting, by exploring these God-ordained and sacred institutions from a biblical Christian understanding. First, by determining their foundation and priority and, second, by seeking out the practical advice and instruction for these institutions offered within Scripture. Additional Christian resources will be consulted in order to build upon our knowledge of these subjects. The ultimate aim is to prepare the Christian leader to be of assistance for the building of healthy marriages and families through personal example, teaching, preaching, and Bible-based counseling.
Required Textbooks:
o Marriage and the Family: Biblical Essentials, Andreas J. Kostenberger, David W. Jones. 2012, 158 pgs.
o The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, Timothy Keller. 2013, 271 pgs.
o His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-proof Marriage, Willard F. Harley. 2011, 180 pgs.
Leadership-Management
This course is designed to equip the student with two critical weapons needed in the Christian minister’s arsenal: Leadership and Management. Focus will be placed upon those gifts and talents necessary and strategic for any church or organization to succeed. Some of these gifts are: leadership, diligence, governance, administration, stewardship and personal character (Romans 12:6, 8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Titus 1:7). This course will emphasize our partnership with God’s Word which sets our leadership vision and goals. Management skills which can be used to steer our ministry to ensure the vision is carried out of the ministry, church, or organization entrusted to our care.
Required textbooks:
o Leadership Axioms. Bill Hybels. 2012, 216 pgs.
o Winning. Jack Welch. 2005, 338 pgs.
o Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge, John Kouzes, 176 pgs.