| | YEAR ONE | YEAR TWO, 1ST SEMESTER | YEAR TWO, 2ND SEMESTER | STUDENT RETREATS | |
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YEAR ONE |
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INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE FOR CHURCH LEADERS I AND II
Six sessions, two semesters
8 a.m. - 12 noon, 2nd Saturdays - January, March, May and July, September, November
Church leaders need skills to read, interpret and assist others in the study of the Bible as a guide for the church engaged in God's ongoing mission in the world. Students should move beyond the popular tendency to reduce the Bible to personal devotional literature toward an ability to read it as leaders building God's people, enlivened by God's vision for us and our world.
We will engage texts of the Bible in their original historical contexts to understand how to read the Bible in the context of history, in past historical contexts of the texts, and in present historical context in which God is making the future with us.
Students will gain a basic working knowledge of the sweep of Biblical history, various types of writings found in the Bible and some major issues in Biblical interpretation. Assignments offer students opportunity to engage Biblical texts in preparation for their own ministerial contexts. |
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ART OF PREACHING FOR HEALTHY CHURCH LEADERSHIP
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., 2nd Saturdays
January, March, May
Introduction to the primary method of communicating the Christian message. Students are led into understanding how the sermon is prepared and relates to needs of listeners. Examination of preaching styles and development of students’ personal styles are encouraged. Students have opportunity to preach during class sessions for peer review.
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CHURCH HISTORY
Registration 
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. 2nd Saturdays
July, September, November
A study of the broad history of 2000 years of Christian experience, focusing on both specific turning points and repeated patterns in the life of the church to understand how we can learn from, modify, adapt, adjust and expand those gifts from the past.
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YEAR TWO - First Semester |
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SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
8 a.m. - 12 noon, 2nd Saturdays
January, March, May
Study of resources of the Christian theological tradition in order to see the importance and nature of systematic theological thinking, to see its relationship to the practical life of faith in the church and to articulate the faith theologically. |
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PASTORAL CARE
1 p.m. - 5 p.m., 2nd Saturdays
January, March, May
Pastoral care is weaving together the experiences of the caregiver and care-receiver; the context in which care occurs; and the sacraments, rituals, traditions, scriptural foundations and theological frameworks through which care is offered. Students will have opportunities to participate in pastoral care case studies.
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YEAR TWO - Second Semester |
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WORSHIP AS THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
8 a.m. – 12 noon, 2nd Saturdays
July, September, November
This course will review theological and practical tools to be used in designing and leading worship., and focus on skills useful for engaging in creative dialogue about worship. |
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CHURCH IN THE WORLD
1p.m. - 5 p.m., 2nd Saturdays
July, September, November
Analyzing the cultural, sociological, psychological, demographic and theological aspects of the church's mission in the world. This course will explore the need for ministry and transformation in light of the gospel mission and will develop a mission practicum for each student related to the local, regional / conference and global mission of the church.
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STUDENT RETREAT COURSES
Three courses are offered as retreats, each meeting one Friday evening and Saturday.
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HISTORY AND POLITY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Registration
This course will focus on the history, organization and polity of our two denominations and our partnership. The various orders of ministry will be examined. |
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LEADERSHIP FOR HEALTHY CHURCHES
An exploration of growing healthy and vital churches and the nature and boundaries of the leadership required for such churches. Essential qualities of a healthy congregation as identified by Natural Church Development will be examined. (Publisher ChurchSmart Resources, Carol Stream, IL). |
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SPIRITUAL LIFE AND FORMATION
Registration
This course looks not only at our own concept of spirituality, but the current culture’s conceptions and ‘myth’-conceptions of it. From the deep wells of Christian tradition, we find tools and resources for a lifetime of spiritual growth. |
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