institute for missional directionsthe mission place blog
missiontalk
an ordered life:
a spiritual order
seminary without walls
liturgical journey
institute for missional directions
missional communities
newsletter archives
contact:
gary waller
craig morton
The Seminary Without Walls
Course Description
Course Description
| Theology | Bible | Practics | Ecclesiology Mentoring |
To receive Lay Pastor Certification, students are required
to take 12 courses. Students will take 3
from theology, 3 from Bible, 3 from Practics, and 3 from Ecclesiology. See course descriptions below.
Systematic Theology
Studies the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The theological tone of the class leans towards a generous orthodoxy rather than narrow sectarian approaches. Attention will focus on the historical development of such doctrines as the Trinity, Christology, Sin, and Salvation.
Spiritual Theology
Addresses how one lives in relation to Scripture, doctrine, and the rich practices of the Church. It will seek to place these within the context of a contemporary landscape. Spiritual theology is the attention given to living what is known and believed about God.
Biblical Theology
Explores a discipline within Christian theology that studies the Bible, Old and New Testaments, from the perspective of their historical and literary contexts.
Intro to the New Testament: Introduces the New Testament in its historical, cultural, and literary context. The course emphasizes the essential content, structure, and theological message of the books of the New Testament. Students are introduced to the practice of biblical exegesis and exposition.
Intro to the Old Testament: Introduces the Old Testament in its historical, cultural, and literary context. The course emphasizes the essential content, structure, and theological message of the books of the Old Testament. Students are introduced to the geography and archaeology of the lands of the Bible.
Gospel or Epistle (elective): Focuses on a particular biblical book. Emphasis will be placed upon: historical context, authorship, theological content, and intent of the writing. Special attention will be given to practical application for teaching and preaching.
Spiritual Formation: Introduce students to the subject of Christian spirituality and the principles and practice of soul care, both private and corporate. Students will be exposed to ancient spiritual practices that inform contemporary spiritual disciplines.
Preaching: Introduces students to various theories of and the practice of preaching. Emphasis will be upon the disciplines of sermon preparation, delivery, and communication skills. Students will be given opportunity to write a short sermon and deliver it within the classroom for peer evaluation.
Christian Education: Covers the history and philosophy of the educational work of the church. Christian Education is the ministry of bringing people to maturity in Christ. The various programs of Christian Education will be introduced.
Worship Leadership: Gives attention to a study of the theory and practice of worship both personal and corporate. The purpose of this study is to help the student to envision, order, participate, and lead in contextualized theologically grounded worship. Attention will be given to the ability to develop and lead appropriate services for regular worship as well as for special occasions (i.e., weddings, funerals, baptism, and the Lord's Supper).
Pastoral Care and Counseling: Explores the scope, expectations, and techniques of parish pastoral care and short-term pastoral counseling. Skills of effective pastoral care will be presented and practiced, including effective listening and response skills, awareness of cultural differences, timely intervention, and appropriate referral.
Missional Ecclesiology: Considers the role of theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church as formed by the calling and sending of God, reflecting the redemptive reign of God in Christ to the world. Analysis of the theology of evangelism and faithfulness to God’s call to evangelism and discipleship is a component of this class.
Church History: Surveys the ideas, practices, and institutions of Christianity from the end of the New Testament period to the present, with critical reflection upon the individuals, decisive events, and theological developments that shaped the Christian church, relating it for contemporary life.
Polity/Church Administration: Focuses upon formation and competency in fulfilling the role of pastoral administrator so that a unity is achieved between the pastor’s doing and being. Addresses the development of administrative skills in keeping with the theology and polity of the individual’s faith tradition.
Realizing that academic preparation is only the beginning of ministerial preparation, mentoring of SWW students is available as they live out their ministerial assignments. Contact Bruce, Craig or Gary for more information and fees.
Systematic Theology
Studies the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. The theological tone of the class leans towards a generous orthodoxy rather than narrow sectarian approaches. Attention will focus on the historical development of such doctrines as the Trinity, Christology, Sin, and Salvation.
Spiritual Theology
Addresses how one lives in relation to Scripture, doctrine, and the rich practices of the Church. It will seek to place these within the context of a contemporary landscape. Spiritual theology is the attention given to living what is known and believed about God.
Biblical Theology
Explores a discipline within Christian theology that studies the Bible, Old and New Testaments, from the perspective of their historical and literary contexts.
Intro to the New Testament: Introduces the New Testament in its historical, cultural, and literary context. The course emphasizes the essential content, structure, and theological message of the books of the New Testament. Students are introduced to the practice of biblical exegesis and exposition.
Intro to the Old Testament: Introduces the Old Testament in its historical, cultural, and literary context. The course emphasizes the essential content, structure, and theological message of the books of the Old Testament. Students are introduced to the geography and archaeology of the lands of the Bible.
Gospel or Epistle (elective): Focuses on a particular biblical book. Emphasis will be placed upon: historical context, authorship, theological content, and intent of the writing. Special attention will be given to practical application for teaching and preaching.
Spiritual Formation: Introduce students to the subject of Christian spirituality and the principles and practice of soul care, both private and corporate. Students will be exposed to ancient spiritual practices that inform contemporary spiritual disciplines.
Preaching: Introduces students to various theories of and the practice of preaching. Emphasis will be upon the disciplines of sermon preparation, delivery, and communication skills. Students will be given opportunity to write a short sermon and deliver it within the classroom for peer evaluation.
Christian Education: Covers the history and philosophy of the educational work of the church. Christian Education is the ministry of bringing people to maturity in Christ. The various programs of Christian Education will be introduced.
Worship Leadership: Gives attention to a study of the theory and practice of worship both personal and corporate. The purpose of this study is to help the student to envision, order, participate, and lead in contextualized theologically grounded worship. Attention will be given to the ability to develop and lead appropriate services for regular worship as well as for special occasions (i.e., weddings, funerals, baptism, and the Lord's Supper).
Pastoral Care and Counseling: Explores the scope, expectations, and techniques of parish pastoral care and short-term pastoral counseling. Skills of effective pastoral care will be presented and practiced, including effective listening and response skills, awareness of cultural differences, timely intervention, and appropriate referral.
Missional Ecclesiology: Considers the role of theology as applied to the nature and structure of the Christian Church as formed by the calling and sending of God, reflecting the redemptive reign of God in Christ to the world. Analysis of the theology of evangelism and faithfulness to God’s call to evangelism and discipleship is a component of this class.
Church History: Surveys the ideas, practices, and institutions of Christianity from the end of the New Testament period to the present, with critical reflection upon the individuals, decisive events, and theological developments that shaped the Christian church, relating it for contemporary life.
Polity/Church Administration: Focuses upon formation and competency in fulfilling the role of pastoral administrator so that a unity is achieved between the pastor’s doing and being. Addresses the development of administrative skills in keeping with the theology and polity of the individual’s faith tradition.
Realizing that academic preparation is only the beginning of ministerial preparation, mentoring of SWW students is available as they live out their ministerial assignments. Contact Bruce, Craig or Gary for more information and fees.