Discipleship Ministry (DISMN.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 major emphasizes small group philosophy and the importance of the Great Commission.

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 Education 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

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.

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.

Bible Electives - Credit Hours: 9

Select nine hours of BIBL courses at or above the 300 level.

Select two of the courses below:

BIBL 301 - Deuteronomy Credit Hours: 3

A detailed study of Deuteronomy. Special emphasis will be given to the place of the book in the Pentateuch, the use of it by Jesus and the early Church, and the Jewish rabbinic interpretations of the book.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110.

BIBL 311 - The Prophets Credit Hours: 3

A study of the life and times of the prophets. An outline study is made of each book, with some attention given to present-day and homiletic use.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL- 102 or BIBL-110.

BIBL 312 - Synoptic Gospels Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to look at the interrelatedness of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke with a special emphasis on their presentation of Christ.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110. DAL additional prerequisites: BIBL-261 and BIBL-230 

BIBL 314 - Luke-Acts Credit Hours: 3

This course will study the books of Luke and Acts as a two-part narrative. Attention will be given to Luke's use of Christian traditions, to the literary character and structure of the work, and to theological and socio-cultural themes in the Lukan narrative.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110.

BIBL 402 - Romans and Galatians Credit Hours: 3

A comparative, expository and theological study of the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians with emphasis on the cardinal Christian doctrines as formulated in these documents. The course includes a study of the influences of both Judaism and Hellenism on the cultural and religious scene in the first century A.D.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110DAL additional prerequisites:  BIBL-261, and junior status. 

Theology Elective - Credit Hours: 3

Select one of the following courses:

Subtotal Collateral Requirements: 27

General Electives - Total Hours: 1

Total Hours in Program: 120