Course Descriptions
B.S. in Christian Ministry
BIB1205 Biblical Foundations for Ministry (3 units - 5 weeks)
This opening course in the Christian Ministry and Intercultural
Studies Majors lays a practical and theological foundation for
students' ministry studies. It begins with an overview of the Christian
Ministry and Intercultural Studies programs, continues with an
introduction to culture, and concludes with an overview of the Story
of Scripture that focuses on God's mission to the nations as the
foundation for ministry. Recommended: The faculty requires
Intercultural Studies majors and recommends that Christian Ministry
majors complete SSC4400 Cultural Anthropology sometime during
their B.S. program—preferably before entering their Major Course
Sequence. The faculty also highly recommends that Intercultural
Studies students complete SSC3325 sometime during the B.S.
program. (Please note that Cultural Anthropology is a prerequisite
for Methods of Discovering Culture.) Special Considerations:
Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies Majors must take
BIB1205 first because it lays a foundation for the remainder of their
Major Course Sequence. Such students may not substitute transfer
courses for BIB1205. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2130 Gospels of the Kingdom (3 units - 5 weeks)
Students explore the four canonical Gospels as witnesses to Christ.
The course emphasizes Jesus' person and mission as reflected in
major christological titles, his proclamation of God's Kingdom in his
words and deeds, the meaning and significance of Jesus' death and
resurrection, and Kingdom values in personal discipleship. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2230 Interpreting Scripture (3 units - 5 weeks)
This course introduces basic interpretive principles, tools, and
methods leading to the skillful use of Scripture in ministry. It places
special emphasis on understanding the various genres, or types of
literature, found in the Bible. [CM Major]
BIB2320 Old Testament Themes (3 units - 5 weeks)
Students explore major biblical themes in the context of the rich
history and genres of the Old Testament. Examples include the
themes of covenant in the Pentateuch, social justice in the Prophets,
worship in the Psalms, and the character of God revealed
throughout Scripture. The course focuses on the relevance of Old
Testament insights for building contemporary Christian communities
guided by the Lord. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2700 Servant Leadership Theory (3 units - 5 weeks)
Students develop a biblical theology of servant leadership modeled
after Christ. They also reflect on Christian leadership emergence
theory, or how God "grows" leaders. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3500 People of God (3 units - 5 weeks)
This course is a study of the people of God as a mission-driven
community drawn "from every nation, tribe, people and language"
(Rev 7:9). Topics include a biblical theology of culture and diversity,
Old and New Testament images of the covenant people of God, and
the priesthood of all believers. The course includes discussion of
values and principles of the Restoration Movement, the Christian
unity movement that formed Hope International University. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3460 Ephesians in the Context of Pauline Theology (3 units
- 5 weeks)
In his remarkable missionary endeavors, Paul demonstrated how to
present the gospel as a "word on target" for diverse audiences. This
course uses his Epistle to the Ephesians as the starting point for
integrating theological insights of Christ's Apostle to the Gentiles.
Students will apply the principles, tools, and methods learned in
Interpreting Scripture. Prerequisite: BIB2230 Interpreting Scripture.
[CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3600 Holy Spirit (3 units - 5 weeks)
Students learn about the Holy Spirit and the "Word-Spirit process"-
that is, how God uses individuals and groups to speak His Word
across cultural barriers of understanding. It includes the concepts of
call, gifts of the Spirit, and divine guidance. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3705 Personal Development of the Minister (3 units - 5
weeks)
This biblical study equips students with practical approaches to
strengthening their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Topics include spiritual disciplines, ethical standards, relational
skills, maintaining balance, and strategies for lifelong learning.
Special Considerations: Due to practicum elements, this course is
open only to Christian Ministry Majors and students in active
Christian service. Consult the Department Chair for details. [CM
Major]
BIB4905 Ministry in Context [Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies Capstone] (3
units - 5 weeks)
This interdisciplinary capstone course aims at developing a
theological perspective that will guide strategic thinking in the
ministry setting. It encourages students to lead the church as a
mission-driven community-a movement led by God's Spirit,
continually relevant to the ministry context. The course includes a
capstone project in which students demonstrate their synthesis of
insights gained throughout the Christian Ministry or Intercultural Studies program. Special
Considerations: This capstone course is open only to students majoring in Christian Ministry
or Intercultural Studies. [CM & ICS Majors]
CHM3220 Preaching and Teaching in Ministry (3 units - 5
weeks)
This course equips students for the ministry of the Word in cultural
context. It includes a practicum in the fundamentals of preaching
and teaching, with a special focus on the cross-cultural dimensions
of communication. Special Consideration: Due to practicum
elements, this course is open only to Christian Ministry Majors and
students in active Christian service. Consult the Department Chair
for details. [CM Major]
CHM3420 Ministry in Diversity (3 units - 5 weeks)
Ministry in Diversity is a study and practicum focusing on common
ministry issues and tasks in cultural context. Topics include informal
counseling and referral, conflict resolution, ministerial taxes and
finances, and human rites of passage across barriers created by
cultural differences and expectations. A field experience in relating
to persons from another culture is included. Special Consideration:
Due to practicum elements, this course is open only to Christian
Ministry Majors and students in active Christian service. Consult the
Department Chair for details. [CM Major]
CHM3710 Strategic Leadership for Ministry Organizations (3
units - 5 weeks)
Students develop practical skills for leading churches and other
multicultural faith-based organizations. Focus areas include
analyzing organizational culture and dynamics, vision casting, team
building, finance, and strategies for dealing with change.
Prerequisite: BIB2700 Servant Leadership Theory. [CM Major]
CHM4410 Social Issues in Context (3 units - 5 weeks)
Students develop a basic biblical, philosophical, and ethical
framework for engaging contemporary social concerns, such as
issues of life and death, sexuality, and social justice. The course
focuses on processes, strategies, and resources useful to the
minister. Special Consideration: Due to practicum elements, this
course is open only to Christian Ministry Majors and students in
active Christian service. Consult the Department Chair for details.
[CM Major]
CHM4700 Evangelism and Mentoring (3 units - 5 weeks)
This companion study to CHM3220 Preaching and Teaching in
Ministry equips students with skills and strategies for sharing the
Christian faith and helping others to grow in that faith. Participants
learn to recognize and develop others' gifts as a part of the
mentoring process. Special Consideration: Due to practicum
elements, this course is open only to Christian Ministry Majors and
students in active Christian service. Consult the Department Chair
for details. [CM Major]
CHM4860 Field Practicum: Mentored Ministry (3 units - 30
weeks)
The Field Practicum allows students to integrate concepts and skills
into real life ministry. It includes a series of ministry projects,
appropriate to the student’s giftedness, along with reflection on
those experiences. A seasoned mentor, trained and approved by the
Hope faculty, provides guidance and oversight. The practicum runs
concurrently with other courses taken during the last months of the
Christian Ministry Major (Preaching and Teaching in Ministry
through Ministry in Context) or the Intercultural Studies Major (The
Intercultural Ministry through Ministry in Context), which facilitates
the use of field assignments in those courses. An online
eCompanion serves as the repository for documents related to the
practicum. Required documentation typically includes (1) samples
of work products related to the student’s ministry projects, (2)
journaling on personal and spiritual development, (3) the student’s
self evaluations, (4) mentoring records and reports, and (5) an
academic assessment of the student’s performance. The Practicum
is designed in two tracks—namely, a track for students not currently
active in ministry, and a second track for students already
established in ministry. Prerequisite: CHM3220 Preaching and
Teaching in Ministry or COM3210 Intercultural Communication.
Special Consideration: Open only to students majoring in Christian
Ministry or Intercultural Studies. [CM & ICS Majors]
