DOCTORAL COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
BUSI 801 - Pastoral Perspectives on Business: This course will provide advanced insights into the unique business challenges encountered within pastoral ministry. Topics covered include stewardship and accountability, managing benevolence and outreach, conducting board and business meetings, strategic budgeting, overseeing church facilities, effective fundraising, addressing human resource concerns, and handling salaries, tithes, and offerings.
CMIN 801 - Advanced Church Ministries: This course will explore the dynamic interactions between pastoral leadership and diverse church ministries, highlighting the integral roles and functions within the ecclesiastical community. Key focus areas include ministry to children, youth, worship and music, singles, Christian education, small groups, missions, senior adults, prayer, and outreach initiatives.
CMIN 802 - Critical Issues for Pastors in Ministry: This course will examine the significant social challenges that pastors encounter in modern ministry, focusing on topics such as religion, racism, sexual identity, politics, relativism, the death penalty, stem cell research, abortion, assisted suicide, and immigration. It aims to equip students with the critical tools and perspectives necessary to navigate these issues effectively within their pastoral roles.
CMIN 803 - Personal and Spiritual Wellness: This course will provide pastors with the tools necessary to attain and sustain equilibrium across various aspects of life, including social, physical, emotional, personal, environmental, intellectual, vocational, spiritual, financial, and relational dimensions. It is designed to foster a comprehensive approach to wellness that integrates the intricacies of personal health and spiritual fulfillment.
COMM 701 - Preaching to 21st Century Audiences: This course will equip pastoral students with the skills necessary to powerfully deliver God’s Word to contemporary congregations across diverse contexts. It will cover the principles of biblical preaching, strategies for engaging communication, selecting themes, rigorous study methods, message organization, narrative techniques, visual aids, audience engagement, effective conclusions, and eliciting responses.
COMM 702 - World Religions and Cults: This course will examine the core tenets of predominant non-Christian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam, focusing on their distinctive understandings of fundamental human dilemmas and their proposed resolutions. It will also consider the rise and development of new religious movements and sects, assessing their doctrines and practices.
COUN 801 - Pastoral Perspectives on Counseling: This course will explore the nuanced challenges that pastors encounter in counseling, such as determining the commitment level, duration, and counseling methods appropriate for different issues. It will cover key topics, including the discernment process for referrals to professional counselors, integrating scriptural wisdom, fostering hope and accountability, effectively providing advice and assignments, and effective strategies for concluding counseling engagements.
LEAD 801 - Pastoral Leadership: This course will explore church leadership principles and their practical application for pastoral figures within a ministry context. It covers a spectrum of topics, including the definition of pastoral leadership, emulating the leadership model of Jesus, fostering discipleship and mentoring, articulating vision, setting objectives, cultivating teams, strategizing for church growth, navigating transitions, gleaning insights from errors, and embodying servanthood through exemplary conduct.
LEAD 802 - Theological Foundations of Leadership: This course will comprehensively explore leadership principles rooted in theological insights. Students will analyze the intersections of faith, ethics, and effective leadership practices through in-depth study and assignments, offering a unique opportunity to develop a strong foundation in leadership that is deeply informed by theological perspectives.
LEAD 803 - Church Leadership Theory and Practice: This course comprehensively explores effective leadership within a religious context. Through insightful assignments and in-depth analysis, students will explore various theories and strategies for guiding and nurturing congregations.
LEAD 804 - Leading Through Conflict and Crisis: This course explores effective strategies for navigating and leading during conflict and crisis within a ministry context, including the dynamics of conflict resolution, crisis management, and developing strong leadership skills.
LEAD 805 - Contextual Leadership in Ministry: This course explores the intersection of leadership principles and their practical application within the context of churches and communities, including strategies for effective engagement, collaboration, and transformational leadership, emphasizing the role of faith-based organizations in addressing social challenges.
LEAD 806 - Reflective Practice and Discernment in Leadership: This course will explore the art of thoughtful self-examination and decision-making within leadership roles. Through insightful discussions and exploration of real-world scenarios, students will develop the skills to critically assess their leadership practices and make informed choices that align with their personal values and organizational goals. This course will equip leaders with the tools needed to cultivate a reflective mindset and implement effective strategies for discernment in their leadership journey.
READ 701 - Readings in Contemporary Christianity: This course will engage students with three seminal textbooks to explore diverse perspectives on current theological and practical challenges in Christianity. Participants are expected to thoroughly read each text and compose a comprehensive 15-20 page analysis, discussing the principal arguments of the book and their relevance to real-world ministry and life experiences.
RESEARCH 801 - Doctoral Research Project - (9 hours): This course will provide doctoral candidates with a comprehensive framework for designing and conducting a substantial research project. Over the span of nine credit hours, students will engage deeply with their chosen topics, develop sophisticated research methodologies, and contribute original findings to their field of study.