ACADEMICS: Church Revitalization

Description
Church Revitalization prepares the student with a foundational understanding of revitalization in the local congregation.  The student will develop skills and be equipped with the training needed to move plateaued and declining churches into healthy growing churches.

Program Outcomes
Students completing the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree are expected to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of the organization and origins of the written Word of God as a context for translation.
2. Build a foundational theological framework as a basis to defend the core beliefs of the American Baptist Association and to detect false doctrines.
3. Build the foundation and processes to think critically regarding decisions and the use of data.
4. Possess the ability to communicate personally and in a group with an understanding of people and community, relationships, and governance.
5. Understand the development of humanity through history, literature, fine arts, and philosophy.
6. Minister to people, through local church and the foreign field.
7. Lead a biblical worship service.
8. Lead in the development of a congregation that exemplifies spiritual and emotional formation.

Church Revitalization Emphasis will exemplify the following understanding and skills:

1. Articulate and summarize the leadership characteristics of a revitalization pastor.
2. Develop a conflict-resolution strategy specific to church revitalization.
3. Construct self-care skills and boundaries.

Career Opportunities

• Associate Pastor
• Church Planter
• Mission Work
• Pastor

Advanced Degree Opportunities

• Master of English Bible
• Master of Theological Studies
• Master of Divinity in Church Revitalization

Courses offered may be found in the current catalog.

Description
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program is designed as a three-year master’s degree to satisfy the graduate education needs of a pastor in a local church or para-church organization. The program requires 78 semester hours of graduate study as prescribed in the Program Requirements. The Master of Divinity is no longer viewed as the terminal degree in church ministry. It does, however, remain the most popular educational preparation for most pastors with advanced degrees.

The Doctor of Ministry program requires the successful completion of the Master of Divinity.

Program Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed course work, the student shall:

1. Demonstrate proficient use of both Greek and Hebrew in the context of Scripture translation.
2. Structure a historical and Biblical theology.
3. Maintain the capacity to conduct biblical research in both old and new testaments.
4. Have studied worldviews and made the determination that frames ministry for the student.
5. Have an in-depth understanding of the role of the Christian in ministry as a paid employee as well as a volunteer in the local congregation.
6. In consideration of a philosophy of ministry and in view of academic and experiential preparation, develop a ministry field and create a philosophy of that ministry that is effective in the growth of the local church.

Church Revitalization Majors will exemplify the following understanding and skills:

1. Have a historical, philosophical, and practical basis for the church revitalization ministry.
2. Apply revitalization principles to the various ministries within the local church.
3. Manifest an understanding of the evaluation of a revitalization program and a consistent assessment program addressing weaknesses through a structured planning program that informs budget development.

Career Opportunities

• Associate Pastor
• Chaplain
• Mission Work
• Pastor
• Seminary Professor
• Church Planter
• Church Revitalization Consultant

Advanced Degree Opportunities

• Doctor of Ministry in Church Revitalization
• Doctor of Ministry

Languages Courses

Students must complete 18 credits of Biblical languages under the Bachelor’s Degree

Courses offered may be found in the current catalog.

Description
The Doctor of Ministry in Church Revitalization is designed to equip individuals serving in a church or higher education setting.  The graduate will build a foundation for the implementation of revitalizing the church of their membership.

Program Outcomes
Upon Completion of the Doctor of Ministry in Church Revitalization, students will be able to…

1. Objectively evaluate the revitalization ministry in which the student has been involved by identifying and analyzing the limitations that hinder revitalization.
2. Develop networking strategies to identify best practices in research and implementation of the ongoing church revitalization ministry.
3. Create a Doctor of Ministry Project utilizing a problem-solving methodology to accomplish church revitalization.
4. Develop a reporting instrument for sharing the results of project implementation.

Career Opportunities

• Associate Pastor
• Chaplain
• Mission Work
• Pastor
• Seminary Professor
• Church Planter
• Church Revitalization Consultant

Course Descriptions

REV 8351 Preparing the Pastor for Revitalization
This course will address the leadership skills and personality traits that successful pastors possess in revitalization before the process begins. They must prepare themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the work of revitalization.

REV 8352 Characteristics of a Turn-Around Pastor (Prerequisite Course REV 8351)
This course provides an in-depth examination of the introspective qualities required by a revitalization pastor to effectively navigate the complex challenges of church revitalization.

REV 8353 Advanced Strategies in Church Revitalization (Prerequisite Course REV 8352)
This course expands upon strategic planning principles to facilitate the advanced implementation of church revitalization. The skills and models presented are essential for fostering effective revitalization within the context of the 21st-century local New Testament church

REV 8354 Diagnosing a Declining Church (Prerequisite Course REV 8353)
This course will analyze the indicators of a declining church and explore how a church consultant equips church leadership to diagnose these challenges and implement strategies for revitalization.

REV 8355 Building and Leading a Healthy Church (Prerequisite Course REV 8354)
This course will critically examine the core competencies and strategic approaches demonstrated by healthy churches, which effectively position themselves for sustained long-term success.

REV 8356 Leading Beyond Limits (Prerequisite Course REV 8355)
This course emphasizes the essential resources that a revitalized pastor should employ to consistently assess and enhance the health and growth of the church.

PHI 8015 Dissertation Writing
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of research design.  This overview includes understanding the preliminary considerations for selecting a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research design.