Course instructor/frequency information is provided based on historic trends and the best available data at time of publication. Circumstances may require courses to be offered with different instructors and in semesters differing from those listed.
A sample course syllabi is listed with each course to provide students with a general picture of the content covered and workload requirements in each course. The official course syllabi will be distributed during the first class session.
Copyright Notice: Any and all class materials, outlines, handouts, syllabi, PowerPoint presentations, etc. (including audio and video recordings) are the intellectual property of the course professor. Copyright and distribution, transmission, release or duplication in any form and by any means—including electronic media—of this material belongs to the course instructor, who has sole decision-making authority concerning requests for release, use or publication.
Biblical Communication
Biblical Literature
Character Development
Church History
Counseling and Family
Doctor of Ministry
Intercultural Studies
ITS Church History
ITS Ministry Studies
ITS New Testament
ITS Old Testament
ITS Theology
Leadership Development
Ministry Skills
New Testament Greek
Old Testament Hebrew
Theology
List Courses by Category or Instructor:
Course Descriptions:
MS 502 - Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
Description:
Examines the biblical foundation for pastoral counseling as well as the historical role and origin of the care of persons within the church. Biblical principles for guiding, sustaining, healing, and reconciling individuals are explored as are common circumstances that draw people to seek biblical counsel and care.
[2 hours. Instructor: Smith. Frequency: Every Spring. Required for M.Div. B.C. and L.D. Ministry Skills Elective for M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Justin M. Smith, Psy.D.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Every Spring
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: M.Div. B.C. and L.D. Ministry Skills Elective for M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 502 - Introduction to Pastoral Counseling Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 501 Principles of Biblical Counseling.
MS 506 - Creative Bible Teaching
Description:
Expand your creative potential while learning how to teach the Word using sound teaching principles that
make learning relevant to the student’s life. You will increase your teaching skills through hands-on
application of what you have learned.
[2 hours. Instructor: Wakefield. Frequency: Every Spring. Homiletics Elective for M.Div. C.F., M.Div. L.D., and M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Norman G. Wakefield, Ed.D.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Every Spring
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: Homiletics Elective for M.Div. C.F., M.Div. L.D., and M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 506 - Creative Bible Teaching Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 506.
MS 508 - Competencies in Pastoral Practice
Description:
Certain practices are common to all ministries; some are unique to those who are church pastors. This course moves students toward general pastoral competency in the following areas: conducting funerals, weddings, baptisms, ordinations, as well as the weekly rhythm of worship planning and execution. Among various other topics, we will cover ministry to the hospitalized, the incarcerated, those in nursing or group homes, the homebound, and the terminally ill. The pastoral and prophetic roles of the pastor will be examined in church and public settings. Emphasis will be placed on becoming a lifelong learner in the field of pastoral practice and care.
[2 hours. Instructors: D. DelHousaye & Moody. Frequency: Every Fall. Required for M.Div. B.C. and M.Div. L.D. Ministry Skills Elective for M.Div. C.F. and M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Charles ‘Chip’ Moody, D.Min.; Darryl DelHousaye, D.Min.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Every Fall
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: M.Div. B.C. and M.Div. L.D. Ministry Skills Elective for M.Div. C.F. and M.A.B.L. General Elective for all other programs except
Syllabus: MS 508 - Competencies in Pastoral Practice Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 508.
MS 513 - Developing Pastoral Excellence
Description:
Challenges students to develop the practical skills necessary for effective pastoral leadership. Special attention is given to: the centrality of strong pastoral leadership; the impact of church demographics and government on pastoral leadership; strategies for establishing effective pastoral leadership; the relationship between effective pastoral leadership and the development of the kingdom of God.
[2 hours. Instructor: Logan. Frequency: Occasional. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Jonathan E. Logan, USAF CMSgt Ret., M.Div.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Occasional
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 513 - Developing Pastoral Excellence Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 513.
MS 516 - Developing a Women’s Ministry
Description:
Designed to help the student acquire the leadership skills necessary for establishing and maintaining a women’s ministry. Areas include visionary planning, creating and training a leadership team, clarifying resources, program planning, and identifying the components of a healthy large or small church model.
[2 hours. Instructor: Beasley. Frequency: Occasional. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Kristin Beasley, D.Min.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Occasional
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 516 - Developing a Women’s Ministry Syllabus
Notes:
In some instances, may be used to replace select Leadership Development courses in the M.Div. L.D. and M.A.B.L. Academic petition required.
Formerly coded as MI 516.
MS 520 - Equipping Women to Embrace Their True Identity
Description:
Women the world over are often confused, abused, and denied the truth about who they really are. This course explores historical, cultural and religious reasons why this occurs, and develops a biblical worldview of personhood that includes identity, gifts, and a call to stewardship. Students learn significant life principles related to identity that they can apply and teach others.
[2 hours. Instructor: Beasley. Frequency: Occasional. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: Kristin Beasley, D.Min.
Hours: 2
Frequency: Occasional
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 520 - Equipping Women to Embrace Their True Identity Syllabus
Notes:
In some instances, may be used to replace select Leadership Development courses in the M.Div. L.D. and M.A.B.L. Academic petition required.
Formerly coded as MI 520.
MS 530 - An Introduction to the Chaplaincy
Description:
Introduces the elements of pastoral care in specialized settings, with emphasis on military, hospital, law
enforcement, and legislative Chaplaincy. Topics include the dynamics of ministering in a multi-ethnic, multidisciplinary, and multi-faith environment; institutional and ecclesiastical endorsement and relations; and Chaplaincy and the law.
[2 hours. Instructor: South. Frequency: Rare. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: (Varies)
Hours: 2
Frequency: Rare
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 530 - An Introduction to the Chaplaincy Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 530.
MS 532 - Church Planting Boot Camp
Description:
Introduces to the major start-up issues a planter faces in the first year of starting the new church. The course will cover twenty four practical skills modules in the areas of personal preparation, strategic planning, core group development, and public launching. This class uses a Boot Camp-style of training with lots of interaction, immediate application and immediate coaching applied to each training module.
[2 hours. Instructor: Klippenes. Frequency: Occasional. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None.]
Instructor: (Varies)
Hours: 2
Frequency: Occasional
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 532 - Church Planting Boot Camp Syllabus
Notes: Formerly coded as MI 532.
MS 580 - Ministry Skills Individualized Study
Description:
A unique course designed by a faculty advisor and student to develop competence in the area of Ministry.
[1-4 hours. Instructor: Varies. Frequency: Any Semester. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisites: 3.4 GPA and approved Academic Petition. Notes: May be repeated for credit as MS 581 when section content differs.]
Instructor: (Varies)
Hours: 1-4
Frequency: Any Semester
Prerequisite(s): 3.4 GPA & Academic Petition
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 580 - Ministry Skills Individualized Study Syllabus
Notes:
An individualized study is a unique course which is designed by a faculty advisor and student which permits M.Div., M.A.B.L., and Diploma students to pursue personalized studies to build competence in their area of ministry interest. To be eligible for approval, an individualized study must:
1. Not replicate a course normally offered in the regular curriculum;
2. Have the support of the faculty member who would potentially supervise the study;
3. Pursue defined objectives which are clearly set forth in a course syllabus (created by the student and faculty advisor prior to registration);
4 .Be undertaken by a degree student maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4.
Academic Petitions for individualized study should be submitted to the Director of Academic Services no later than four weeks prior to the Registration deadline.
MS 595 - Selected Topics in Ministry Skills
Description:
An occasional Ministry Skills elective offered as the need and opportunity arise. Course content is dependent on the expertise of available faculty (resident, adjunct, and visiting), current issues of academic and practical importance, and overall balance in regard to recent course offerings.
[1-4 hours. Instructor: Varies. Frequency: Occasional. General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C. Prerequisite: None. Notes: May be repeated for credit when section content differs. Upcoming topics include: “Suffering & Disability.”]
Instructor: (Varies)
Hours: 1-4
Frequency: Occasional
Prerequisite(s): None
Required For: General Elective for all programs except M.A.P.C.
Syllabus: MS 595 - Selected Topics in Ministry Skills Syllabus
Notes:
