Course Descriptions
Church Ministry
BIB0341 Acts/Hechos (3)
Designed for the Church Ministry Certificate in Spanish. A study of the origin and early expansion of the church with an emphasis on Acts linkage to the gospel of Luke, theology of the early church, its cross-cultural mission and relevance for today's church. Not for degree credit.
BIB0342 Romans/Romanos (3)
Designed for the Church Ministry Certificate in Spanish. A study of the letter to the Romans with an emphasis on both salvation and church fellowship of living in unity amid diversity for both the first century and the contemporary church and society. Not for degree credit.
BIB0345 Prison Epistles/Epistolas de la Prision (3)
Designed for the Church Ministry Certificate in Spanish. A study of each epistle with an emphasis on the distinctive theme and theological development of each with the relevance to the situations facing the church then and now. Not for degree credit.
CHM1300 Introduction to Youth Ministry (3)
Introduces basic youth ministry concepts. Local youth ministers assist in providing insights for the beginning youth ministry candidate.
CHM2400 Strategies for Mission (3)
Cross listed as ICS2400 Strategies for Mission. This course focuses on serving cross-culturally from a servant-leadership perspective. This course introduces students to the contemporary types of of cross-cultural ministry, including agents and agencies, structures, and the various roles workers may be asked to play. It includes an introduction to fundraising, networking, partnerships, and “global” mission.
CHM2900 Seminar in Church Ministry (3)
Subjects of interest to the individual student is explored in a creative format in order to complement a student's preparation for a specialized ministry context.
CHM3150 World Christian Movements (3)
Cross-listed as ICS3100 World Christian Movements. This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Challenging readings, written reports, multimedia presentations, and distinguished visiting scholars and missiologists will contribute to the students growing awareness that world evangelism is four dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural anthropology and cross-cultural communications along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’ global purpose.
CHM3200 Ministry of the Word (Homiletics) (3)
Studies the theory and practice of preaching; applies the art of public speaking to both Christian and non-Christian audiences.
CHM3210 Expository Preaching (3)
Equips speakers with tools and styles in the exposition of Biblical passages for information and persuasion. Prerequisite: CHM3200.
CHM3300 Creative Teaching and Curriculum Development (3)
Explores teaching techniques with particular emphasis on lesson design and curriculum evaluation.
CHM3310 Ministry to Children (3)
Acquaints the student with the job competencies of the children's minister as they relate to the total mission of the church and the needs of children.
CHM3361 Care and Counseling in Youth Ministry (3)
An experiential course designed to train youth workers to equip students to minister to their peers.
CHM3400 Ministry in the Urban Setting (3)
This course is designed to introduce a Biblical theology and practical models of urban ministry. It will contribute toward equipping students to be servant leaders who will impact the church and society through their service in urban areas. Through exposure to the literature and different models of urban ministries, the students will have and overview of key strategies for urban church planting and ministry in the transition church.
CHM3410 Strategies for Urban Ministry (3)
Introduces the student to a comprehensive model for urban ministry. Special emphasis is given to equipping the student for work in an urban setting as it relates to the local church.
CHM3510 A Theology of Women in Ministry (3)
A study of women in the Bible and the roles they played in leadership. The historical context will also be surveyed. Offered as Directed Independent Study.
CHM3515 Women in Leadership: A Historical View (3)
A look at women in leadership in the local church and society. This class focuses on the contribution of women in society as a whole. Offered as Directed Independent Study.
CHM3520 Family Ministry in the Church (3)
A study in the role of the church in programming, counseling, teaching, and building healthy families. Specific emphasis will be given to “proactive” verses “reactive” family ministry techniques, dealing with specific parenting issues, and building a “family ethos” in the local church.
CHM3600 World Religions (3)
Major world religions are studied with particular attentions to how they compare to and interact with Christianity. This course provides the student with a general knowledge of the major religions that exist in the world today as well as an understanding of their origins, development, and adaptation to present day social and political situations. In additions to these major religions, this course will provide an insight into folk religions and spiritual thinking that continues to this day.
CHM3700 Models of Church Planting (3)
Exposes the student to a wide range of models of church planting. The format is seminar oriented with a number of guest speakers describing their leadership style, preparation of sermons, philosophy of ministry, administrative approach, and methodology of church planting.
CHM3800 Practicum I (3)
Serves as a formal introduction to the Church Ministry major as well as a preparation for the upper-division Practicum II field experience. Class discussions and experiences provide a verifiable "picture" of the student's readiness for servant leadership.
CHM3900 Models of Ministry (3)
Exposes the student to a wide range of ministry models. The format is seminar oriented with a number of guest speakers describing their leadership style and preparation of sermons.
CHM4120 Management for Ministry (1-3)
Addresses management specifically designed for persons on a church staff. Explores personal characteristics and reviews those characteristics in the light of management philosophy.
CHM4210 Advanced Homiletics (3)
Enhances the skills of preaching learned in the Homiletics and Expository Preaching classes. Prerequisite: CHM3210.
CHM4220 Cross-Cultural Preaching (3)
Supervises preaching experiences in a cross-cultural setting. Experiences will be primarily in countries other than the United States. Prerequisite: ICS3200.
CHM4300 Strategies and Skills for Youth Ministry (3)
Focuses on the practical skills which an effective youth minister must utilize on a regular basis. Prerequisite: CHM1300.
CHM4320 Effective Youth Ministry (3)
An experiential training course which focuses on specific areas of youth ministry. Prerequisite: CHM4300.
CHM4345 Trends and Programs in Church Ministry (3)
Students will learn to discern the impact of current trends on programs for children’s ministry. Specific emphasis will be given to the impact on Sunday School, Children’s Church, after school programs, family programs, and camping programs.
CHM4420 Methods of Discovering Culture (3)
Cross listed as ICS4320 Methods of Discovering Culture. This course introduces students to methods and strategies of social and anthropological research for learning about the culture of a given people group. The central premise is preparation for successful work in cross-cultural settings. It emphasizes use of participant observation, focus groups, ethnographic interview, as well as multiple other culture research tools for cultural exploration.
CHM4430 The Church in Context (3)
Cross listed as ICS4430 The Church in Context. Students explore how the influences of God’s Word, the cultural context, and the local church come together to develop a healthy faith community in that context. The course focuses on current trends, including proven methods for assisting and growing faith communities in the face of emerging globalism. Theories of the hermeneutical spiral and leadership across cultures are integrated into the course.
CHM4510 Organizing an Involved Women's Ministry (3)
Assists in designing an effective women's ministry in the local church. Involves a study of successful models. Offered as Directed Independent Study.
CHM4800 Preaching Practicum (3)
Supervised preaching experiences in a local church.
CHM4831 Practicum II (3)
A field context experience, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, which integrates practice and theory relating to personal and occupational development, Biblical foundations, congregational life, work, and growth. Usually taken during Junior year. Credit/No Credit grading. Prerequisite: CHM3800. Additional Practicum fee required.
CHM4833 Practicum II - Fieldwork (1)
Commonly called "The Internship", this practicum is a hands-on experience with a seasoned mentor. The student will typically spend 10-20 hours per week in practical ministry. Credit/no credit grading.
CHM4840 Church Ministry Teaching Assistant (1-3)
Student will assist with tasks and projects assigned by the instructor of record for each course. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing with instructor's approval.
CHM4850 Practicum III (36)
This course of study is for selected students at selected churches. The student will spend three years at the University and one full year at the church. Thirty-six units will be credited for this church experience utilizing staff members as Adjunct Faculty. Approval through the Chair of the Church Ministry Dept and the Church Ministry Dept Faculty must be applied for. It is ideal for the student to make this application during his/her first year at the University. Presently, this program is approved only at Central Christian Church, Henderson, NV, and Central Christian Church, Mesa, AZ. Other churches are being considered.
CHM4900 Seminar in Church Ministry (3)
Subjects of interest to the individual student is explored in a creative format in order to complement a student's preparation for a specialized ministry context.
CHM4915 Seminar in Children's Ministry (3)
Subjects of interest to the individual student and children's ministry training courses are explored in a creative format in order to complement a student's preparation for a specialized children's ministry context.
CHM4935 Seminar in Youth Ministry (3)
Youth ministry training course that offers practical ideas and tools to help youth workers further their education and experience.
HIS0220 History of Christianity/Historia del Cristianismo (3)
Designed for the Church Ministry Certificate in Spanish. Traces the historical development of the Church throughout periods of history and examines the nature and role of the Christian message in each period. Not for degree credit.
ICS1101 Introduction to U.S. Life and Culture (1)
A course specifically designed for newly arrived international students. Students will be exposed to the U.S. educational system, cross-cultural adjustment issues, and an overview of U.S. history through lectures, field trips, class discussions, and assigned readings.
ICS2100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
Cross listed as SSC2400 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. An introduction to cultural and social anthropology with emphasis on the basic terminology, concepts, and approaches employed in the discipline.
ICS3200 Intercultural Communication (3)
Cross listed as COM4210 Intercultural Communication. Designed to enable the student to deal with the cultural dimension of inter-ethnic communication in American society and across cultures in international settings. Prerequisite: COM2200.
ICS3900 Comparative Culture Seminar (3)
An historical, literary, and cosmological comparison study of two distinctly different cultures.
ICS4760 Pre-Field Orientation (1)
A course designed to assist the student in applying their training in Intercultural Studies to field service in a team context.
ICS4810 Inter-Cultural Studies Teaching Assistant (1-3)
Student will assist with tasks and projects assigned by the instructor of record for each course. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing with instructor's approval.
