Course Descriptions
Bachelor of General Ministries
Bachelor of General Ministries - 120 hours
Updated October 16, 2008
BIBLE (10 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes is the heart of the training at WCBCS and it will cover the entire Old and New Testaments.
BIBL 101 Interpreting the Bible – 3 hours
This course will provide an overview of the principles and techniques of properly interpreting the context of Scripture for strong biblical foundations and applications for study and teaching.
BIBL 102 Manners and Customs of Bible Times – 3 hours
This course will study the cultural background of the Bible which is essential for precise exegesis. The student will review selected elements in the cultural backgrounds of both the Old and New Testaments and consider its’ emphasis on the culture, customs and establishments that have a direct effect on the interpretation of the Scriptures.
BIBL 201 Foundations of the Bible (Old & New Testament) – 3 hours
This course will study how the Bible was put together, the thread that weaves God’s message throughout, and the continuity of the purposes of God in the lives of His people. Key people and places will be highlighted to give an overall understanding of biblical history.
BIBL 301 Old Testament 301: The Books of Moses – 3 hours
This course will study the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Pentateuch. The student will study creation, the formation of God’s people, and the way in which God worked out His purposes in the lives of His people.
BIBL 302 Old Testament 302: Historical Books – 3 hours
This course will study the Old Testament historical books which chronicle the lives of God’s people, Israel. Special attention will be given to the historical settings and theological themes throughout.
BIBL 303 Old Testament 303: Books of Wisdom – 3 hours
This course will explore the wisdom books of the Old Testament, including principles for interpreting these types of literature, with emphasis on application to then and there, as well as contemporary concerns.
BIBL 304 Old Testament 304: Books of the Prophets – 3 hours
This course will study the nature of biblical prophecy, a brief review of the history of major and minor prophets, an introduction to some of the basic issues involved with the study of the prophets, and an analysis of the message of these books.
BIBL 401 New Testament 401: The Four Gospels & Acts – 3 hours
The course will look at the New Testament from Matthew to Acts with emphasis on the life of Christ, the foundations of early church, and the interaction of the church society.
BIBL 402 New Testament 402: Romans – Philemon – 3 hours
This course will look study the background, themes, and major principles of Paul’s writings for Romans through Philemon.
BIBL 403 New Testament 403: Hebrews – Revelation – 3 hours
This course will study the background, themes, and major principles for Hebrews through Revelation. Special emphasis will be given to books of Hebrews and Revelation.
BUSINESS (4 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes will deal with the practical business aspects of being involved in ministry.
BUSI 101 Foundations of Business – 3 hours
This course will study the philosophy and principles of business administration in relationships to ministry objectives.
BUSI 201 Marketing – 3 hours
This course will study the practical ways in which a church can create a brand, positive image, in its community by implementing basic marketing principles and techniques. Practical helps will be discussed, as well as numerous resources.
BUSI 301 Practical Church Business Administration – 3 hours
This course will study the practical responsibilities of those engaged in ministry including staff meetings, financial reporting, accountability, board meetings, business meetings, documentation of paper work, insurance policies, maintenance of facilities, and a variety of other practical materials that must be addressed regularly in ministry.
BUSI 401 Strategic Ministry – 3 hours
This course will study intentional ministry strategies that will help your church reach its target audience and continue to effectively carry out the overall mission and purpose of the church.
COUNSELING (4 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes will help to equip the student to become a better biblical counselor so they can effectively minister to the needs of their congregation and community.
COUN 101 Biblical Crisis Counseling – 3 hours
This course will study the proper ways to address crisis situations that will occur in ministry and to minister to those in need in a sensitive, caring manner.
COUN 201 Marriage Counseling – 3 hours
This course will study the principles and techniques needed to provide counsel and healing for marriages. Topics that will be discussed include fair fighting, communication, and practical issues that face every couple. Additional helps will be given for pre-marital counseling to help couples avoid pitfalls in advance.
COUN 301 Counseling Life Issues – 3 hours
This course will study various life issues including depression, anxiety, financial issues, anger, forgiveness, abuse, suicide, and various other challenges facing people in the 21st century.
COUN 401 Conflict Resolution – 3 hours
This course will study the proper methods of resolving conflict in any situation; especially in the context of ministry. One of the main responsibilities a minister will discover is their role as a peacemaker among people in the body of Christ. Unlock techniques that will protect and preserve your ministry.
ENGLISH / COMMUNICATION (4 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes will help to more effectively communicate the message God has put in their heart. Clear, concise communication is essential for effective ministry.
ENG 101 English Composition – 3 hours
This course will study the basic principles of communication, with a special emphasis being given to writing. The student will learn the basic of writing and discover how to effectively communicate their thoughts on to paper for others to read. This is crucial in ministry as failure to properly communicate can result in creating additional problems.
COMM 101 Public Speaking – 3 hours
This course will help students work on their public speaking skills; an essential tool for any person in any walk of life, especially for those engaged in ministry.
COMM 201 Message/Lesson Preparation – 3 hours
This course will study the process of putting together a message and/or lesson that will capture the attention of the audience and will provide an affective result in the end.
COMM 301 Apologetics: How To Communicate What You Believe – 3 hours
This course will study the basic beliefs of every Christ follower, help you understand why you believe it, and help you discover how to effectively communicate it to individuals or to larger audiences.
GENERAL MINISTRIES (13 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes will deal with the practical aspects of ministry, covering the major ministries in the church world in the 21st century.
MIN 101 Creating Team-Led Ministry – 3 hours
This course will study the importance of moving from the concept of a church staff to a ministry team. As team members find their roles, they find a place of significance which creates a deeper desire to serve. The end result is a better working atmosphere and more efficient ministry.
MIN 102 Children’s Ministry in the 21st Century – 3 hours
This course will study keys for ministering to children in the 21st century by incorporating a total family mindset in the ministry. The student will learn ways to more effectively communicate to children and the utilization of resources that can make your children’s ministry the best it can be.
MIN 103 Student Ministry in the 21st Century – 3 hours
This course will study keys for ministering to students in the 21st century; looking at the challenges of this youth culture and finding ways to practically engage students in ministry. The student will learn ways to more effectively communicate to students and discover ways to minister to their specific needs.
MIN 104 Single Adults Ministry in the 21st Century – 3 hours
This course will study the need for the single adult ministry and ways in which to implement a ministry that will reach a group of people often overlooked by the church. The individual needs and challenges of this age group will be addressed throughout.
MIN 201 Christian Leadership – 3 hours
This course will study the meaning of true Christian leadership and will help the student discover ways to personally live it out and implement it in whatever ministry capacity in which they are serving. Several historical and current church leaders’ lives will be discussed to help the student find their own personal leadership style.
MIN 202 The Worship Experience – 3 hours
This course will study the various components of the worship experience including worship programming, worship music, creating an atmosphere in the worship gathering, creating teams, and numerous other aspects that directly relate to the worship gathering.
MIN 301 Principles of Breakout Church in the 21st Century – 3 hours
This course will look at principles that have enabled some churches to grow and flourish, even in a culture of challenges. Learn what it took for these leaders to get where they are today and discover what will work in your personal ministry setting.
MIN 302 Evangelism and Effective Follow Up – 3 hours
This course will help students learn how to implement evangelism in the local church and how to create a net of relationships with people that will “close the back door” of the church and engage people in the mission of the local church.
MIN 303 Missions (Mission and planning) – 3 hours
This course will help students learn the importance of missions, the mandate of missions, and the ministry of missions. Students will discover practical ways in which they can plan a mission experience that will challenge others to live out the Great Commission at home and abroad.
MIN 401 World Religions & Cults – 3 hours
This course will study the beliefs of the major non-Christian religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam. Emphasis is placed on each tradition's analysis of the basic human problem and the solution that it offers to the problem. Attention is also paid to new, emergent religious movements and cults.
MIN 402 Creating Effective Small Groups – 3 hours
This course will study the need, developing a philosophy, and implementing a strategy for effective small group ministry in the local church. Numerous successful models that have been implemented around the world will be studied.
MIN 403 Christian Discipleship – 3 hours
This course will study the principles of Christian discipleship and how it applies to every day life. In addition, the one being “discipled” will be challenged to disciple others. Special attention will be given to call of Jesus’ disciples, the manner in which Jesus spent His time with His disciples, and how the student should share the disciple experience with others.
MIN 404 Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make – 3 hours
This course will study the top ten mistakes that leaders make in ministry. It is crucial to learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not repeat them yourself.
Personal Life (4 classes)
Overview:
This section of classes will deal with the specific challenges that will be faced in the personal life of every committed believer.
LIFE 101 The Personal Life of a Minister – 3 hours
This course will deal with the personal life of the minister in helping to develop a personal prayer and devotional life, maintaining integrity, and forming accountability. This class is crucial because if the student fails in integrity, everything else in life and ministry can be invalidated.
LIFE 201 Personal Management (Family, self, ministry, time, etc.) – 3 hours
The course will deal with the practical challenges faced by every minister as they try to balance the relationship between ministry and family. The student will learn from various ministers who have lived out the challenges and will discover great advice to protect their marriage, family, and personal time.
LIFE 301 The Minister's Finances – 3 hours
The course will deal with the practical aspect of the minister’s personal finances to help the minister live in today while planning for the future and retirement. Numerous strategies will be given to provide a Kingdom mentality for utilizing your finances and protecting your family.
LIFE 401 Practical Duties Of The Minister – 3 hours
This course will study the practical responsibilities of the minister including funerals, weddings, hospital visitation, and other practical responsibilities that will be faced daily in the life of a minister.
TECHNOLOGY (1 class)
Overview:
This class deals with the necessity of technology in ministry in the 21st century and the practical ways in which technology can impact ministry.
TECH 101 Technology In Services and Ministry – 3 hours
This course will study the various components of technology that can be utilized in worship gatherings to create a visual stimulus, as well as other components of technology that can lead to more efficient management of systems and people.
Master of Religious Education – 36 hours
Updated October 16, 2008
BIBL 501 Biblical Interpretation – 3 hours
This course will provide an overview of the principles and techniques of properly interpreting the context of Scripture for strong biblical foundations and applications for study and teaching.
BUSI 501 Foundations of Business – 3 hours
This course will study the philosophy and principles of business administration in relationships to ministry objectives. This course will study the practical responsibilities of those engaged in ministry including building a team, staff meetings, financial reporting, accountability, board meetings, business meetings, documentation of paper work, insurance policies, maintenance of facilities, and a variety of other practical materials that must be addressed regularly in ministry.
CMIN 501 Understanding Church Ministries – 3 hours
This course will study the various aspects of church ministry and how it all relates together as you seek to complete the mission of the local church. The student will learn effective ministry and management of the resources of the church.
CMIN 502 Practical Duties of the Minister – 3 hours
This course will study the practical responsibilities of the minister including funerals, weddings, hospital visitation, and other practical responsibilities that will be faced daily in the life of a minister.
COMM 501 Effective Teaching in the 21st Century – 3 hours
This course will study the principles of effective teaching in the 21st century including issues relating to the content of the teaching and the audience being spoken to.
COMM 502 Biblical Preaching – 3 hours
This course will study the process of putting together a message and/or lesson that will capture the attention of the audience and provide life changing result in the end. The student will focus on the proper interpretation of Scripture as the basis for preaching and learn how to implement visuals, stories, and other tools to assist the preaching experience.
COUN 501 Biblical Counseling – 3 hours
This course will study the proper ways to address various counseling situations that will occur in ministry and to minister to those in need in a sensitive, caring manner. The student will learn how to biblically respond to the demands of counseling.
ENG 501 English Composition – 3 hours
This course will study the basic principles of communication, with a special emphasis being given to writing. The student will learn the basic of writing and discover how to effectively communicate their thoughts on to paper for others to read. This is crucial in ministry as failure to properly communicate can result in creating additional problems.
LEAD 501 Church Growth Principles – 3 hours
This course will look at principles that have enabled some churches to grow and flourish, even in a culture of challenges. Learn what it took for these leaders to get where they are today and discover what will work in your personal ministry setting.
LEAD 502 Christian Leadership – 3 hours
This course will study the meaning of true Christian leadership by looking at the life of Christ and will help the student discover ways to personally live it out and implement it in whatever ministry capacity in which they are serving. Several historical and current church leaders’ lives will be discussed to help the student find their own personal leadership style.
LIFE 501 Christian Discipleship – 3 hours
This course will study the principles of Christian discipleship and how it applies to every day life. In addition, the one being “discipled” will be challenged to disciple others. Special attention will be given to call of Jesus’ disciples, the manner in which Jesus spent His time with His disciples, and how the student should share the disciple experience with others.
THEO 501 Old & New Testament Theology – 3 hours
This course will study the main themes of the Old and New Testaments as the student learns how the Bible was put together, the thread that weaves God’s message throughout, and the continuity of the purposes of God in the lives of His people. Key people and places will be highlighted to give an overall understanding of biblical history.
Updated October 16, 2008
BUSI 701 Advanced Business Administration – 4 hours
This course will further study the philosophy and principles of business administration in relationships to ministry objectives and assignments. This course will study the practical responsibilities of those engaged in ministry including building a team, staff meetings, financial reporting, accountability, board meetings, business meetings, documentation of paper work, insurance policies, maintenance of facilities, and a variety of other practical materials that must be addressed regularly in ministry.
CMIN 701 Postmodernism and The Response Of The Church – 4 hours
This course will study this current postmodern generation and will help the student discern what their response should be to be specific needs; while not compromising the integrity of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
CMIN 702 Studies of Breakout Churches in the 21st Century – 4 hours
This course will study the principles of growing churches and discover the commonality of their approaches in ministry. Learn what it took for these leaders to get where they are today and discover what will work in your personal ministry setting.
CMIN 703 Creating Community Through Small Groups – 4 hours
This course will further and more in depth study the need, develop a philosophy, and implement a strategy for effective small group ministry in the local church. Numerous successful models that have been implemented around the world will be studied.
COUN 701 Advanced Crisis Counseling – 4 hours
This course will study the proper ways to address the deeper crisis situations that will occur in ministry and to minister to those in need in a sensitive, caring manner. Students will study various life issues including depression, anxiety, financial issues, anger, forgiveness, abuse, suicide, eating disorders and various other challenges facing people in the 21st century.
COMM 701 Preaching to 21st Century Audiences – 4 hours
This course will study the process of putting together a message and/or lesson that will capture the attention of the audience and provide life changing result in the end. With the increasing influence of technology and media, audiences have greater expectations from their worship gatherings than ever before. The student will focus on the proper interpretation of Scripture as the bedrock for preaching and learn how to implement visuals, stories, and other tools to assist the preaching experience and to make the Word of God come alive.
COMM 702 World Religions & Cults – 4 hours
This course will study the beliefs of the major non-Christian religions of the world including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam. Emphasis is placed on each tradition's analysis of the basic human problem and the solution that it offers to the problem. Attention is also paid to new, emergent religious movements and cults.
LEAD 701 Visionary Christian Leadership – 4 hours
This course will study the meaning of true Christian leadership and will help the student discover ways to personally live it out and implement it in whatever ministry capacity in which they are serving. Several historical and current church leaders’ lives will be discussed to help the student find their own personal leadership style.
READ 701 Readings in Contemporary Christianity – 4 hours
This course will study three textbooks to discover differing viewpoints of various theological and practical issues. The student will be required to read the texts and to write a 5 page paper on each that discusses key points of the book and how it practically applies to life.
RESEARCH 801 Doctoral Research Project – 9 hours
The research project is designed to incorporate all of the aspects of what you have learned throughout the DMin program. You must plan a major event/outreach and clearly incorporate five (5) principles from each class. The student must explain why you did what you did, as well as whether or not it was effective. In addition, the student will be required to video the event (raw data, not over produced) so that our Doctoral Consortium will be able to watch the event and get a sense of the overall effectiveness of the event.