Department of Ministry and Missions

Karen Jones, Thomas Bergler, Luke Fetters, Bob Myers, Gary Newton, RuthAnn Price (missionary in residence)

The Ministry and Missions Department seeks to develop in students the commitments and skills necessary for leading others in growing faithfulness to God. A curriculum that values critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and change is designed to integrate biblical truth, evangelical theology, church history, educational psychology and methodology.

Students may elect to fulfill degree requirements with a professional major leading to a bachelor of science degree in missions, recreation and sports ministry, youth ministries, worship leadership or educational ministries with a concentration in family and children’s ministries or a liberal arts major in educational ministries leading to a bachelor of arts degree.

Students who elect the professional youth ministries major pursuing the bachelor of science degree complete MI 211, 221, 231, 242, 251, 331, 373, 376, 377, 411, 421, 471YM, 481 and 496; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; and BR 414 and 415 for a total of 62 hours in the major. BR 271 is taken as a prerequisite for MI 373.

Students who elect the professional missions major pursuing the bachelor of science degree complete MI 211, 231, 242, 251, 321, 331, 365, 373, 401, 411, 421, 471MI, 481 and 496; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; and BR 331, 414 and 415 for a total of 65 hours in the major. BR 271 is taken as a prerequisite for MI 373. Students who graduate with a major in missions are permitted to request transcripts with educational ministries-cross-cultural studies as the alternate name for the major.

Students who elect the professional educational ministries major pursuing the bachelor of science degree with a concentration in family and children’s ministries complete MI 211, 221, 231, 242, 251, 331, 373, 381, 411, 421, 471FC, 481 and 496; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; BR 414 and 415; and one course from MI 376, RC 316, SO 292, and TH 253 for a total of 63 hours in the major. BR 271 is taken as a prerequisite for MI 373.

Students who elect the professional worship leadership major pursuing the bachelor of science degree complete MI 211, 221, 242, 251, 264, 304, 314, 344, 373, 471WL, 481, and 496; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; BR 414 and 415; MU 110, 111; MU A06; MI 214; and five credits from MU 112, 113, 338, A01, A02, A07, A08, A09, or any choral or instrumental ensemble for a total of 66 hours. BR 271 is taken as a prerequisite for MI 373. Students in the worship leadership major must pass a piano proficiency examination and a guitar proficiency examination prior to the PRIME experience. Students majoring in worship leadership may also be interested in completing a minor in Bible and religion, communication studies, music or theatre arts.

Students who elect the recreation and sports ministry major pursuing the bachelor of science degree complete RC 111, 211, 236, 316, 411, 461 and three additional hours in recreation; MI 211, 231, 242, 251, 373, 481, 471RS, and 496; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; and BR 414 and 415 for a total of 64 hours.

Students who elect the educational ministries major pursuing the bachelor of arts degree complete MI 211, 231, 242, 251, 331, 373, 411, 421, 482, and 495; one course from BR 231/BR 241 and one course from BR 251/BR 261 in addition to the introductory Bible course counted in the core; BR 414 and 415; one course from MI 221, 365, 376, or 381 for a total of 46 hours. BR 271 is taken as a prerequisite for MI 373.

The educational ministries minor requires MI 211, 242, 331, 411, 421 and seven additional hours in the department (not including MI 285). The missions minor requires MI 231, 321, 365, 401, 495 (two hours), and eight additional hours from the following courses: MI 233, 242, 373, 411, and BR 331. The youth ministries minor requires MI 211, 242, 331, 376, 411, 421 and 495 (four hours). Twenty-two hours are needed to fulfill the requirements for a minor in educational ministries, missions or youth ministries. The worship studies minor requires MI 211, 251, 264, 304, 314, 331, 344, 373, and BR 271 for a total of 24 hours.

The PRIME Experience

PRIME is an acronym for Practical Research and Immersion in Ministry Effectiveness. Students who elect one of the majors in the bachelor of science degree must plan their schedules carefully in order that the summer and fall immediately following the junior year may be devoted to this field ministry immersion. Students should make application for placement in The PRIME Experience during the first semester of the sophomore year. To be allowed to participate in the field ministry immersion, students must maintain an overall gpa of 2.0 and a gpa of 2.5 in their majors. They must also have completed MI 211, 231, 242, 331, 373, 411; MI 365 or 376 or 381; and BR 271. Students enrolled in this internship should not take any other courses or be involved in co-curricular or other experiences that may detract from the overall ministry immersion experience. Students must make arrangements for their own transportation and living arrangements, in consultation with their supervising professor, though host ministry sites will be chosen in part for their ability to help facilitate this dimension of the experience.

Courses in Ministry and Missions

MI 211 Foundations of Christian Ministry     (3)

Fall

MI 221 Lifespan Development for Ministry          (3)

An investigation into the specific characteristics of cognitive, psychosocial, physical and spiritual development from preschool through all stages of adulthood. Special emphasis will be placed upon the significance of developmental characteristics for formulating effective relational ministry strategies. Prerequisite: MI 211

A study of the basic principles, significant contexts and effective methods of personal and mass evangelism, including an examination of a variety of programs of evangelism for evaluative purposes. Field experiences and practical training are also featured in this course.

MI 233 Topics in Missions                                  (2)

Offered on Sufficient Demand

MI 233CO  Contextualization leads students through a process of theological reflection on the relationship between the transcendent truths of the Christian faith and the particularities of human cultures. Students learn principles that will help them identify and promote biblically faithful inculturation of the Christian Gospel.

MI 233CP  Church Planting considers church planting theories and models. Focus will be given to principles for establishing a reproducing church. Students will explore competencies for church planting in various settings.

MI 233ENL  Teaching English as a New Language will intro-duce students to major issues related to teaching English in inter-cultural contexts, develop instructional skills for use in the ENL classroom and explore avenues of ministry available to the ENL instructor.

MI 233LA  Language Acquisition equips students to use learner-directed techniques to acquire language with the assistance of a host culture language helper.

MI 233RS  Regional Studies in Missions will expose students to the geography, culture, traditional religions, mission history and current missionary efforts in a particular country, region or people group.

MI 233ST  Short-Term Mission Leadership prepares students to plan and implement short-term missions experiences with special attention to team dynamics, spiritual and intercultural team preparation and ethical issues related to funding and intercultural contact.

MI 233UM  Urban Ministry presents a historical and theological framework for the development of the philosophy and practice of urban ministry. Urban social issues are examined from a biblical basis and informed by the study of the church’s historical involvement in the city.

MI 242 Discipling Ministries                         (3)

A study of Jesus’ methods will be the basis for an exploration of the people-development practices in contemporary ministry. Students will consider biblical principles and processes, as well as the critical role of vision in disciple-making. Current discipleship approaches are analyzed, with specific attention given to the potential role of small groups in the discipling process. Practical training based upon biblical reflection is a major feature of this course.

Fall, Spring

MI 251 Relationships in Ministry                        (3)

Contemporary beliefs and practices of the Christian faith will be examined in light of foundational biblical concepts and themes. Students will reflect upon the role of Scripture and biblical concepts that have historically defined the Christian faith, the differences in Christian heritage so as to value both the fundamental unity of Christianity as well as the diversity within Christianity and their personal experiences and assumptions about the faith in order to understand better what they believe about Christianity. Does not count in BR or MI major or minor.

Fall, Spring

MI 285CSL The Life and Thought of C.S. Lewis       (3)

A systematically developed understanding of the Christian faith through the study and analysis of and interaction with the life and work of C.S. Lewis (1898-1963). The emphasis will be on Lewis’ apologetics, his efforts to identify and explain the essence of "mere Christianity" and the relevance of this enterprise for Christians in
the twenty-first century. May be taken as an alternative to Understanding the Christian Faith in the Core, or as elective after MI 285. Does not count in the MI major or minor.

Spring

MI 304 Multi-Media and Technology in Worship                 (2)

Spring Odd Years

MI 314 Worship Leadership for the Contemporary Church           (3)

Spring

MI 321 Intercultural Communication                       (3)

Spring Even Years

MI 331 Leadership and Structures for Educational Ministries      (3)

An examination of the impact of organizational culture upon the educational mission of the church or Christian organization. The student will consider views of leadership and the church based on the servant and body models of the New Testament, as well as engage in analysis of various contemporary leadership theories. Also featured will be the development of diagnosis and strategy skills critical to effective leadership. Prerequisite: MI 211 or consent

Fall

MI 365 History and Theology of Missions               (3)

This course considers theological, historical and strategic factors that impact missionary thought and practice.  Students will explore the missionary nature of God, historical missionary efforts, key missiological movements and strategies and current progress in world evangelization. Prerequisite: MI 211

Fall

MI 373 Theological and Ethical Issues in Christian Ministry            (2)

Spring

MI 376 Youth Ministry                                                (3)

With particular consideration given to the developmental needs of youth, this course is a comprehensive study of purposes, principles and programs effective in the ministry to young people. Students will articulate a biblical philosophy of ministry with adolescents.

Spring

MI 377 Contemporary American Youth Culture               (2)

A study of the social and cultural forces shaping the experience of adolescence in contemporary America. Students will learn to evaluate individual elements of youth culture, analyze the cultural systems that shape young people and develop effective strategies for cultural engagement. Prerequisite: MI 221 or consent

MI 381 Family and Children’s Ministry                   (3)

This course is a study of the purposes, principles and programs essential for effective and comprehensive family ministry. Emphasis will be given to children’s evangelism, marriage and family needs, intergenerational ministry models and lifelong Christian education. Prerequisite: MI 221

Spring Even Years

MI 401 Intercultural Learning and Adjustment             (3)

Students in this course consider learning competencies related to cross-cultural ministry. Specific attention will be given to prefield orientation, language acquisition, ethnographic research and community needs assessment, transition theory, multi-cultural team leadership and preparation for re-entry to the home culture. Students will develop a comprehensive learning plan for effective ministry within a specific cultural context.

Fall Even Years

MI 411 Curriculum Development                  (3)

A course in which the student will be guided in curriculum design. Philosophies, values, goals and objectives of curriculum will be studied to enable the student to structure curricula for persons in various age groups involved in the process of Christian education. Emphasis will be placed on understanding curriculum as the planning which is done to help persons progress in their spiritual walk. Prerequisite: MI 401 or 421

Spring

MI 421 Teaching for Character Transformation                    (3)

Fall

MI 471 Issues in Ministry                              (2)

Selected topics and issues related to the contemporary practice of ministry in specific contexts will be studied through directed readings and pointed field investigations while the student is involved in the PRIME Experience. Prerequisite: Senior standing

MI 471FC Issues in Family and Children’s Ministries

MI 471MI Issues in Missions

MI 471RS Issues in Recreation and Sports Ministry

MI 471WL Issues in Worship Leadership

MI 471YM Issues in Youth Ministry

Summer and Fall

MI 481 Senior Seminar                                 (3)

A culminating experience for students in the bachelor of science degree in educational ministries which seeks practical and thorough integration of material covered in previous courses with current literature and career goals. This course will feature a considerable amount of writing, focused especially on the implementation of specific ministry projects and on the role of change in ministry. Students will also submit an assessment portfolio demonstrating their achievement of the departmental objectives. Prerequisite: Senior standing

Spring

MI 482 Senior Project                                   (3)

A culminating experience for students in the bachelor of arts degree in educational ministries. Students will focus on assessing contemporary ministry needs in a selected cultural context and designing an appropriate ministry strategy for that culture which reflects integration of ministry theory and current research. Each student will select a project topic in consultation with faculty. The project will result in an oral presentation to the department and a formal written paper. Students will also submit an assessment portfolio demonstrating their achievement of the departmental objectives. Prerequisite: Senior standing

Fall

MI 490 Independent Study                          (1-4)

Fall, Spring

MI 495 Internship in Ministry and Missions            (2-4)

Fall, Spring

MI 496 Field Ministry Immersion                 (12)

An intensive ministry experience spanning a seven month period at a pre-approved location under the supervision of an approved ministry mentor in cooperation with ministry and missions faculty. This immersion, The PRIME Experience, must be completed in the concentration of choice. Prerequisites: Senior standing and approved PRIME application