COURSES OF INSTRUCTION – Professional Education
MN 3120 Exegeting the City This course is designed to create awareness of the complexity of 21st century American cities and cultivate situational awareness and cultural agility in students. New York City will serve as a laboratory for experience and reflection. Models and theories of interpreting cultural texts with a biblical worldview will be explored. Prerequisite: Student must have completed 60 hours. Course fee. (2 hours) MN 3121 Expository Preaching This is a course designed to aid in the construction and delivery of the expository sermon. Students learn how to craft a series of sermons from one Bible book. The class follows a lecture and student-preaching format. Prerequisites: MN 2611 Homiletics and PI 2410 Principles of Interpretation. (3 hours, one extra hour lab) MN 3122 Introduction to Church Growth This course is an introductory study of the factors influencing the growth or non-growth of the church. Emphasis is given to the application of the principles of church growth to local churches. Format will be lecture and discussion. (2 hours) MN 3123 Ministry through Small Groups This course is a specialized study of group dynamics and the techniques that are being used successfully in small groups in the local church. Directed readings, lecture and small-group interaction will focus this seminar. Seminar format. (1 hour) MN 3124 Leadership in Ministry This course is a study of the dynamics of leadership and administration as they apply in the local church setting. Class meetings will involve lecture, small group discussion, problem solving and role play. During the course, each student will be led to discover his/her own leadership style and abilities while also honing personal organizational skills. (2 hours) MN 3125 Teaching Adults This course introduces a variety of topics related to the effective teaching of adults in the church. Through lecture and peer interaction, participants will discuss pertinent biblical/theological themes, survey adult educational theories and consider teaching methods that adequately facilitate adult learning. Prerequisite: MN 2213 Adult Ministry. Seminar format. (1 hour) MN 3126 Ministering to the Grieving This course will address the issue of grief and how to minister to those who are grieving. Some of the topics addressed include: what is grief, how people grieve differently, what is recovery, tools for recovery and grieving children. Students will learn through lecture and class discussions. Seminar format. (1 hour) MN 3128 Practical Issues in Ministry This course is a general study of the dynamics of ministry. The minister’s professional and personal lives will be examined. This course is interactive with a variety of lecture, discussion, guest lectures, case studies as well as observations and projects. (2 hours) MN 3129 Christian Community Development This course is a study of the theology, principles and methods of Christian community development. Students will attend the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) National Conference as well as visit three local Joplin organizations committed to CDA principles. The course will consist of readings, lectures, workshops and group discussions. Course fee. (2 hours) MN 3130 Seminar in College Ministry This course introduces the principles of college age ministry. Students will gain an understanding of generational issues in ministry and learn how to start and develop college ministry structures that facilitate spiritual formation. The course is taught by multiple staff with diverse experience in college age ministry. Students will learn through lecture, discussions, assigned readings and projects. Course fee. Seminar format. (1 hour) MN 3131 Ministry to the Fatherless This course will analysis the sociological effects of the “father wound.” It will explore the theology of God as Father, as well as, God’s heart for the fatherless. It will also present God’s redemptive plan to restore wholeness to the fatherless. The course will consists of lecture, media, reading, discussion, and student participation. Seminar format. (1 hour)
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