Discipleship Ministry, Vocational Track (DISVO.BA)

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Christian Ministries

Discipleship Ministry teaches students how to design and implement programs that build authentic community and biblical knowledge within the church. The vocational track encourages students to pursue minors in other disciplines, in order to prepare for a variety of vocations.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Educational Requirements - Total Hours: 56

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

Specialty Area Requirements

CHMN 150 - Mission of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on the biblical, holistic and contextual mission of the church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, benevolence, social justice and stewardship. It is designed as the gateway course to the majors in the Department of Christian Ministries.
CHMN 210 - Personal Evangelism Credit Hours: 3

This introductory course is designed to equip students to think strategically and act compassionately in the process of effectively communicating the gospel message in a variety of ministry settings. Special attention will be given to spiritual character, one's faith story, contemporary culture, and effective evangelism one's faith strategies.
CHMN 220 - Biblical Interpretation for Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course intends to prepare students for quality Bible study which supports the work of evangelical, Pentecostal ministry. The pragmatic nature of this course emphasizes the inductive method of Bible study, fostering direct engagement with biblical texts and demonstration of sound hermeneutical skills. Sensitivity to a text's literary features will be a primary focus of the course.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 and 102, ENGL-110, and CHMN-150.
CHMN 230 - Introduction to Preaching and Teaching Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to the theology, basic construction and delivery of biblical messages through preaching and teaching within diverse ministry settings.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 and CHMN-220.
CHMN 310 - Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce the student to the nature of Christian spiritual formation. Key biblical, theological and historical persons and events will be examined. Socio-psychological issues will be reviewed as they specifically pertain to the process of Christian spirituality. Attention will be given to the development of the individual student's spiritual life as well as to how ministry personnel can cultivate spiritual growth in other people.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 (or MUSW-112 for Music & Worship majors).
CHMN 320 - Introduction to Multicultural Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course is premised upon the understanding that multicultural ministry is normative for the mission of the Church. Consequently, the course provides students with an appreciation for ministry from culturally diverse perspectives. Students are apprised of the basic tools required for integrating pastoral and theological skills in multicultural contexts.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.
CHMN 330 - Ministry of Worship Credit Hours: 3

This course intends to foster student knowledge in a biblical, historical, philosophical and contextual approach to Christian worship. Particular focus is on analysis of evangelical-Pentecostal traditions. Practical skills of leading worship events are developed and critiqued.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.
CHMN 340 - Christian Leadership Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce the student to significant concepts and theories that shape the contemporary study of Christian leadership. An emphasis will be placed on the biblical concept of servant leadership.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.
DISM 301 - Introduction to Small Group Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course is predicated on the belief that small group ministry is vital for the contemporary Christian church. The course seeks to provide students with an introduction to small group ministry that is based on biblical, theological, historical and socio-cultural perspectives.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150.
DISM 302 - Models of Small Group Ministry Credit Hours: 3

The course seeks to provide students with an understanding of the various models of small group ministry. Historical and contemporary models will be examined in depth. Students will also examine existing groups within the church not typically thought of as "small groups". The course seeks to more fully understand the nature of "community" and its effects on the spiritual life of a congregation as well as its effects on the structuring of groups in various educational settings.

Prerequisites

DISM-301
DISM 403 - Leading Small Groups Credit Hours: 3

The course seeks to provide students with an understanding of the various approaches to leading small groups. Included in this course will be materials related to leadership, principles and practices, communication and mentoring within small group ministry.

Prerequisites

DISM-302
DISM 450 - Senior Seminar in Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course is a senior capstone course for Children, Discipleship and Youth ministry majors. The seminar class will engage students about issues of their vocational area of ministry. Issues such as calling, training, church expectations and cultural awareness will be discussed, particularly in relation to the student's impending employment in church related fields. 

Prerequisites

CHLM-390 or DISM-390 or YTHM-390

Subtotal Specialty Area Requirements: 36

Collateral Requirements

DISM 390 - Internship Credit Hours: 3

This internship will provide the student with extensive supervised experience in discipleship ministry. A minimum of one hundred and fifty (150) hours of work in an approved ministry context is required.

Prerequisites

CHMN-230 and DISM-302.

Collateral Elective - Credit Hours: 3

Select one of the following courses:

CHED 241 - Educational Ministry of the Church Credit Hours: 3

A study of the basic principles and practices of organizing, administering, and supervising a balanced program of Christian Education. A wide variety of educational agencies of the church will be considered. The functions of the board of Christian Education and the role of church workers will be examined including the work of the director of Christian Education.

Prerequisites

None
CHED 444 - Ministry to the Family Credit Hours: 3

An examination of the contemporary Christian family will be conducted. Biblical principles will be examined. along with a study of the whole and fragmented family within the church. The course will also examine the methods and programs of the church and their contribution to the Christian home, along with the resources and techniques available to parents. Intergenerational ministry will also be examined.

Bible/Theology Elective - Credit Hours: 3

Choose one 3 hour BIBL course at or above 300 level.

(BIBL 399 may NOT be used to fulfill this requirement.)

OR

Select one of the following courses in THEO:

THEO 334 - Doctrine of Christ Credit Hours: 3

A historical and systematic study of the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This course surveys the primitive Christologies of the New Testament and the Christological controversies of the early church and continues by examining the various reconstructions of Christologies in the modern era. The centrality of Christ for other doctrines and for Christian proclamation will also be stressed.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250
THEO 335 - Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Credit Hours: 3

A study of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit with emphasis upon the Spirit's relationship to Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to other fundamental doctrines will also be considered (e.g. creation, salvation, ecclesiology, eschatology, etc.). Special attention will be focused on the distinct work of the Holy Spirit within the economy of salvation, specifically dealing with things such as regeneration, sanctification, and mission.  Some attention will be given to the meaning of "living in the Spirit" and spiritual gifts.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250Additional DAL prerequisites: BIBL-101, BIBL-102 and THEO-231.
THEO 336 - Doctrine of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine the various models of the Church proposed by the New Testament and later throughout the history of Christianity. Special attention will be given to these areas of ecclesiology: governmental structures and leadership; the nature and mission of the church; sacraments; and the church empowered by the Spirit. Relating these studies to the contemporary Body of Christ will always be a central goal.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250.

Subtotal Collateral Requirements: 27

General Electives - Total Hours: 1

Total Hours in Program: 120