26 courses with the subject CF, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CF 701Foundations for Christian Formation ()3
This course will investigate the biblical, theological and historical foundations for Christian formation. Established approaches to Christian nurture will be placed in dialogue with Pentecostal expressions of conversion, salvation, sanctification, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and growth within the Body of Christ. The nature of religious instruction will be considered. Biblical and historical models of discipleship will be explored and compared with contemporary Models.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the inductive approach to the study of the Bible in the vernacular. Emphasis is placed on developing skills necessary to do a thorough and systematic study of a book of the Bible. The book of Mark is utilized as an example of this method. CF/CO 703 Human Growth and Transformation (3 Credit Hours) Students will study theories of human growth and transformation in order to understand their implications for Christian discipleship. The Freudian tradition and object-relations theory will be explored as well as the psycho-social theory of Erik Erikson. Developmental theories espoused by Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg and James Fowler will be investigated. The course includes The expanded Family Life Cycle (individual, family and social perspectives) looking at the normal and abnormal developmental patterns of individuals and families. The course will investigate life-span and personality development within cultural context. These theories will be placed in dialogue with research concerning religious transformation, noting in particular the work of James Loder. The nature of growth and transformation from a Wesleyan/Pentecostal perspective will be explored. 161
In this course, students will explore the pedagogical nature and activities of the Holy Spirit from the perspective of historical theology. The premise of the course is that the Johannine image of the Paraclete as teacher must be taken seriously in theological studies. The method of inquiry will be to place fundamental issues in education into dialogue with the theological question. Emphasis will be placed upon early Christian (ante-Nicene) images of the Spirit as well as movements and individuals. Special attention will also be given to the critique of Pentecostal-Charismatic perceptions of the pedagogical presence of the Holy Spirit.
A model for providing one-on-one spiritual direction will be studied. Students will be required to enter into a relationship with someone for whom they provide spiritual direction throughout the semester. Case studies out of these experiences will be presented to the class.
An experience-based course designed to supervise students in small group discipleship experiences. Students are required to participate in a covenant based group either in their local congregation or at the seminary. This group must have an established covenant of participation; it must meet on a weekly basis; and it must include dimensions of accountability and shared ministry. Class time will be given to guided reflection on these experiences, other ministerial activities, and how they interrelate. (It is recommended that this course be taken prior to enrollment in CF 713.)
Principles of leadership for small group ministry will be introduced. Students will be expected to lead a faith-based small group throughout the semester and present case studies out of those experiences. (Prerequisite: CF712) CF/CO 715 Counseling Youth (3 Credit Hours) This course will explore the psychosocial development of youth between the ages of ten and twenty five as a foundation for providing pastoral care and counseling. Approaches to counseling youth will be overviewed and methods of crisis counseling will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on issues common to today’s youth, including grief brought on by death and divorce, sexual identity and behavior, relational stresses, substance abuse, and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. (C-L)
This course will deal with the theory and practice of the teaching-learning process, including a survey of the teaching ministry of Jesus. The Christian 162
This course is designed to help the student develop a critical appreciation of the teaching ministry of the Christian pastor. Emphasis will be placed upon the Biblical and historical foundations for understanding the pastor as teacher. Students will study and compare the approaches of Origen, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and others. Field research will be conducted in order to assess the instructional-formational impact of contemporary models of pastoral ministry. CF/ML 730 Leading Practices of Worship and Discipleship (3 Credit Hours) Students will be engaged in an interdisciplinary process of reflection and dialogue on constitutive practices of Pentecostal discipleship and worship in the new missional context. Insights from early Pentecostalism will be integrated with contextual analysis for the purpose of discerning effective missional models. Students will develop an integrated plan for worship and discipleship informed by their context and theological orientation. CF/ML 727 Formational Leadership (3 Credit Hours) This course is intended to help students develop a biblical model for administering discipleship ministries of the church. Various theories of educational administration will be reviewed and critiqued. Emphasis will be placed on the manner in which the theories are practiced. Students will complete a systemic evaluation of a local church educational program. (C-
This course will help students to explore, from the Pentecostal perspective, the role of children in the kingdom of God. Consideration will be given to the manner in which they should participate in the life of the community of faith. Emphasis will be placed upon the distinctiveness of Pentecostal catechesis and the appropriate manner of transmitting the Pentecostal story to future Generations.
CF 760Ministry With Youth in the Postmodern Context ()3
This course will deal with various aspects of ministering with youth. Adolescent needs and characteristics will be surveyed. Programs and methods of ministering with youth will be evaluated from the perspective of theological implications and effectiveness.
This course will enable students to become acquainted with models for ministering to youth as individuals. The development of one-on-one relationships which facilitate spiritual growth and problem-resolution will be stressed.
This course will introduce the student to the structure, purpose, curriculum and function of the various denominational youth programs including state youth camps, Teen Talent, Christian Service Brigade, 164
This course will introduce the student to the ministerial role of the Youth Pastor. Models of youth ministry will be overviewed. Staff relationships will be studied. Students will be introduced to professional issues of ministry descriptions, contractual agreements, and legal responsibilities. Emphasis will be placed on biblical and theological foundations for the role of the Youth Pastor.
CF 770Adult Education and Ministry of the Laity ()3
This course will enable students to examine the needs and characteristics of adults and to consider the organizations and programs which will best serve adults and help them utilize their gifts for service to the church and to the family.
This course is an intensive course designed to explore the unique needs and gifts of singles in modern society, develop scriptural guidelines for ministry with them and lay the foundations for effective approaches to the evangelization of singles and their incorporation into the church. CF/CO 772 Gender Development & Identity Formation and Identity Formation This course is designed to provide an overview of the current discussions regarding gender identity and its development. Particular attention will be given to the interaction between environment, society, family, and church in the shaping of gender identity. Questions regarding genetic differences will be explored as these differences relate to societal roles.
This internship is for students who specialize in Children’s Ministries and is for the purpose of gaining experience in the praxis of overseeing and conducting congregational ministries to children. The internship must be completed under the supervision of an approved Minister of Children, Senior Pastor, Minister of Education, or Minister of Discipleship.
This internship is for students who specialize in Youth Ministry and is for the purpose of gaining experience in the praxis of overseeing and conducting congregational ministries for youth. The internship must be 165
This internship is for students who specialize in Discipleship Ministries and is for the purpose of gaining experience in the praxis of overseeing congregational discipleship ministries. The internship must be completed under the supervision of an approved Senior Pastor, Minister of Education or Minister of Discipleship. CF/ML 784 Coaching, Mentoring, and Leadership Development (3 Credit Hours) This course is designed to provide participants with a basic orientation to coaching and mentoring for leadership development. Contemporary practices of coaching and mentoring will be evaluated from biblical- historical, theological, and formational perspectives. Various discipleship strategies and ministry development processes employed in coaching and mentoring will be examined. Participants will assess their current coaching/mentoring practice and design and implement a personal coach/mentor development plan. Involvement in some coach/mentor relationship or experience is required for this course. (C-L)
This course will emphasize critical reflection on the practice of discipleship ministries. Students serve in an approved ministry setting where they will receive supervision in ministry practice appropriate to their focus area of study (i.e., children's ministry, youth ministry, etc.). One of the following research courses gives students an opportunity to research issues in Christian Education:
Students in the Master of Arts in Discipleship and Christian Formation degree program must complete a paper which integrates personal story, theology of ministry, goals and projections for ministry in the student’s chosen track for ministry focus. 166
