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Practical Ministry Courses

Dr. Ken Quick
Practical Ministry Department Chair


PM 451 Field Education
All degree programs require that students participate in a field education ministry for every 16 semester hours of course work. This can be as simple as teaching a Sunday school class to pastoring a church. The thrust of Field Education is that students be involved in actual ministry activities 2-3 hours per week. The choice of ministry is up to the student and his/her advisor. There is no financial cost to register for Field Education. While there is no credit issued in terms of semester hours, every degree-seeking student must fulfill the requirement of field education credit for every 16 semester hours of course work.
For more information and forms, click here.

PM 452 Field Education
Same as PM 451, but two Field Education ministries conducted during the same semester for two Field Education credits.

PM 506 Personal Spiritual Development (2)
Because the character of the individual in ministry deeply impacts effectiveness, students will learn how to cultivate communion with Christ in order to be transformed into the image of Christ. Emphasis will be given to personal/relational application through the development, articulation, and practice of a theology of personal growth (spiritual disciplines). Students also learn how to direct others in the practice of the individual and corporate spiritual disciplines.
This course is also offered as CO 506 Personal Counseling and Discipleship (3)

PM 510 Missions/Evangelism Practicum (2)
The purpose of this evangllism practicum is to provide the student with instruction and hands-on experience in personal evangelsim under the supervision and instruction of the evangelists/instructors with Open Air Campaigners. The course requirements include successful completion of the Open Air Compaigners Evangelistic Training Academy, required readings, and a term paper on personal evangelism.

PM 511 Creation Seminar (1)
An exploration of the biblical teaching on creation--its implications, problems, and issues of interpretation, creation vs. evolution, a Christian worldview vs. secular humanism. The course is an introduction to the scientific method and a survey of the basic concepts of the biological, natural, and physical sciences with consideration of related questions that confront the biblical Christian worldview.

PM 521 The Theology and Ethics of Leadership (3)
An examination of the key issues in leadership from a theological perspective--the governance of God, His delegated authority, the model of Christ, servant leadership, headship and submission, integrity and character, along with conclusions in the form of applied principles of ethical leadership and how to operate from principle-centered leadership in ministry.

PM 522 Exegesis of Church and Community (2)
This course will instruct students in how to assess and evaluate their churches or ministries systemically and determine the systemic problems that require spiritual direction. It will also aid students in the systemic evaluation of their present communities, aiding them in understanding and respecting the different cultures around them in order to make outreach and ministries more effective.

PM 523 Defending the Bible/Christian Apologetics (1)
This course is designed to show students how to help people believe and understand the Bible. Learning activities will explore God's method for helping people in light of eternity.

PM 601 Creative Bible Teaching (2) plus lab
Pedagogy and audience analysis is studied and developed through individual and group presentations to maximize the creativity and effectiveness of the student's teaching ministry. Personal, peer, and professional critiques-including videotaping and private conferences-contribute to strengthening the student's communication skills. Particular teaching topics and contemporary tools are also introduced, and teaching resource files are developed.

PM 602 Message Preparation (2) plus lab
Students are guided in the application of their understanding of exegesis to the development of biblical messages. A ten-step process is studied with an emphasis on determining the homiletical idea and controlling metaphor of the text. Students prepare three outlines and manuscripts in three different biblical genres.

PM 603 Sermon Delivery (2) plus lab
Prerequisite: PM 602
Students practice delivery of the sermons developed in PM 602, crafted for different audiences and cultural contexts. Guided by the professor, students learn to offer constructive oral and written feedback to each other. Videotaping of sermons aids the students in doing self-evaluation.

PM 604 Advanced Homiletics I (2)
Prerequisites: PM 602 and PM 603
This course introduces strategies and techniques for effective preaching of Gospel narratives and parables. Students will gain expertise in crafting these kinds of sermons and in delivering them as well.

PM 605 Leading Small Groups (3)
Students will explore ways in which Christian discipleship can and should be integrated into the context of Christian community. Students will be equipped to blend biblical directives and small group dynamics into a cohesive theory of small group cell ministry in the Body of Christ. Attention will be given to leading small groups, developing leaders of small groups, devising small group ministries to meet various needs (including mentoring groups, maturity groups, ministry groups, mending groups, mission groups, and model groups), and organizing and administering a small group ministry. Both lecture and lab experiences will be used to facilitate training.
This course is also offered as CO 503 Group Counseling and Discipleship.

PM 621 Visionary Ethical Leadership (2)
This course will analyze the importance of ethical purpose-driven leadership while keeping a shepherd's relationship within the ministry context. It will present practically how to assess the issues in managing change in the ministry, how to develop a vision for one's ministry with cultural and contextual sensitivity, how to write a helpful mission/purpose statement, how to determine key objectives and result areas, and how to follow up, evaluate, and adjust as a vision unfolds.

PM 622 Conflict, Conflict Resolution, and Reconciliation (2)
This course is designed to develop student skills in dealing with conflicts--small and great, individual, family, and corporate--in a God-honoring way. The differences between healthy disagreements, godly tension in ministry polarities, and destructive patterns of anger and conflict are explored. The students will assess their own approaches to conflict, becoming adept at knowing when other approaches are appropriate, and learning to lead conflicting groups to reconciliation.

PM 623 Practical Management of Ministry (2)
This course will aid students in the development of their skills in the management of time, ministry finances, building programs, and staff hiring and supervision. Experts in various aspects of management will be utilized to aid students in understanding management competency.

PM 624 Developing Leaders (2)
This course takes students through workable plans and principles for developing leadership and delegating responsibility in ministry to others. Surveys of present leadership development materials, as well as transferable concepts from the leadership program, will be analyzed.

PM 635 Leadership Project--Theology (2)
Prerequisite: PM 521
An independent study where the student begins to develop a personal theology for leadership. Out of this biblically-based theology, the student will design a set of practical leadership standards that can be used in a church or Christian organization.

PM 636 Leadership Project--Final (2)
An independent study where the student synthesizes the learning that has taken place during the MAML degree program that functions as a summative evaluation.

PM 652, 653, 654, 655 Mentoring Relationship (1 each)
The mentoring relationship links a student with a minister or layperson who has demonstrated strong Christian leadership in the past. The purpose of mentoring is to create a bond of friendship and mutual respect, and to give the student an ongoing resource for questions regarding leadership decisions and accountability.

PM 661 Introduction to Women's Ministry (2)
An introductory course that is designed to prepare women to help others know Christ and make Him known. To do this the course considers the biblical options for women to minister in church, parachurch, missions and non-church settings (such as the home and workplace). Students will be introduced to the specific needs and problems women face in the world today and how women's ministries are meeting them. Key principles in developing a philosophy of ministry will be discussed. Students will examine their own goals for ministry and begin to develop a framework for ministry.

PM 662 Issues and Trends in Women's Ministry (2)
This course consider the biblical, historical, philosophical, sociological, and psychological foundations that affect women in ministry and women's ministries today. Cultural trends that affect women are discussed. Students will be introduced to the specific needs and issues women face in the world and how women's ministries can meet them.

PM 663 Communications for Women's Ministry (3)
This course is designed to equip women in how to clearly and confidently prepare and present a biblically based teaching in a variety of settings including seminars, workshops, retreats, luncheons, Bible studies, and evangelistic events. The focus will be on developing Bible study research and presentation skills including the use of PowerPoint to minister to women in different settings. Students will also learn basic small group communication skills and have opportunity to practice them.

PM 701 Pastoral Ministry (3)
This course covers general aspects of local church leadership and administration along with particular procedures for pastoral ministry starting from candidating through to the proper closure of a ministry. Each student starts the process of developing a philosophy of ministry and church operating policies. Management of staff and assessing a church ministry are also introduced.

PM 703 Advanced Homiletics II (2)
Prerequisite: PM 602, PM 603
Advanced creative techniques in sermon preparation and delivery, using various technologies (PowerPoint, Video, etc.) and a first-person monologue by a biblical character. Each student prepares and preaches three messages. Enrollment is limited to 9 Students

PM 722 Chaplaincy Ministries (2)
The purpose of this course is to explore the various aspects of the ministry as a chaplain. Aspects of the chaplaincy will include: hospital, prison, military, and industrial. The course will include field trips to various military and hospital locations and guest lectures by various chaplains. Students examine some of the challenges associated with this special type of ministry such as priviledged communication, church-state relationships and free exercise challenges. Each student will be given a chance to explore in detail an aspect of this ministry as a future calling.

PM 723 Ministry in the Black Community (2)
A study of the historical influences that have contributed to the contemporary Black culture with special emphasis on the role of the church among African-Americans.

PM 724 Clinical Pastoral Training--Hospital Practicum (2)
A practical experience in learning pastoral care in a hospital setting under the supervision of a Certified Teaching Chaplain with the Hospital Chaplain's Ministry of America (HCMA). Students will explore their attitudes about disease, pain, suffering, psychic dysfunction, separation from family, death, and dying, and develop skills in the visitation of patients and family members; and, sharpen abilities to reflect theologically in connection with personal encounters in the hospital setting. The course is offered on a pass/fail basis and may be used to meet two field education credits.

PM 741 Teaching Seminar (1)
Prerequisite: Minimum of 60 hrs earned in M.Div or Th.M. program
This course will survey methodologies of teaching and is designed for M.Div/Th.M. students who are planning a teaching internship.

PM 753 Pastoral Internship (3)
The internship consists of three weeks (or more) of practical training in a ministry setting under a qualified supervisor. A minimum of 135 clock hours is required, of which 90 hours are concentrated in the primary aspects of the ministry. Students must have completed the 60 s.h. of course work to be eligible for pastoral internship placement.
Internship Manual; Self Appraisal; Church and Parachurch Internship First Service Report; Supervisor Evaluation

PM 754 Teaching Internship (2)
The internship consists of service as an assistant to a full time Bible College or Seminary professor. Students will participate in all aspects of teaching ministry under the guidance of their mentor professors. Students must have completed 60 s.h.of course work to be eligible for teaching internship placement.
Internship Manual; Teaching Internship First Service Report; Teaching Internship Final Report

PM 755 Missions Internship (1)
The internship consists of two weeks (or more) of practical training in a missions setting under a qualified supervisor. Students must have completed the 60 s.h. of course work to be eligible for missions internship placement.
Internship Manual; Missions Internship Final Report