ACADEMICS: SEMINARY DIVISION

The Master of Theology prepares a student for teaching, preaching and pastoral ministry. Students will demonstrate the knowledge to use Biblical text and ministry skills for teaching, preaching, and pastoral ministry and a more in-depth application to the world. Students may choose between an emphasis of Christian Education, Pastoral Ministry, or Preaching. Upon completion of 54 credit hours, the student may be presented:

• Master of Theology, Major Christian Education Degree
• Master of Theology, Major Pastoral Ministry Degree
• Master of Theology, Major Preaching Degree

The Master of Divinity is designed to satisfy the graduate educational needs of a pastor in a local church or para-church organization. Students may choose between an emphasis of Christian Education, Pastoral Ministry, or Preaching. Upon completion of 78 credit hours, the student may be presented:

• Master of Divinity, Major Christian Education Degree
• Master of Divinity, Major Pastoral Ministry Degree
• Master of Divinity, Major Preaching Degree

The Doctor of Ministry is designed to equip the graduate needs of individuals serving in a church or higher education setting. Graduates will gain skills to preach, teach and minister at advanced levels. Upon completion of 36 credit hours, the student may be presented:

• Doctor of Ministry Degree

*Master of Divinity, with a thesis or equivalent is required to enter the D.Min. program.

COURSES:

• Pastoral Leadership
• Pastor & Biblical Theology
• Church Growth/Revitalization
• Exegesis to Exhortation
• Pastor & Missions
• Pastoral Care & Counseling
• Dissertation Writing

CLASS OBJECTIVES:

EXEGESIS TO EXHORTATION (Dr. Proctor)

• • Interpretation of Scripture is investigated with regard to Biblical preaching that changes hearts for greater understanding and discipleship for Christians.

CHURCH GROWTH/REVITALIZATION (Glen Moore)

• • Prepare the student to successfully evaluate, plan and lead a local church through continuous growth.

PASTOR & MISSIONS (Dr. Morell)

• • An in-depth view of the pastor’s role of the local church’s mission program and the pastor’s involvement as leader.

THE PASTOR & BIBLICAL THEOLOGY (Dr. Barros)

• • An in-depth study and application of Biblical Theology to contemporary Christian ministries. This course has two main goals: to help Christian leaders to gain an in-depth understanding of Biblical Theology and to train church leaders to apply Biblical Theology to Christian ministries, especially to preaching, teaching, discipleship, and leadership ministries.

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP (Dr. Clements)

• • Leadership investigation to inform the Pastor regarding his role in the guidance of the local church or para-church organization for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELING (Dr. Butler)

• • Counseling that assists the pastor in caring for the flock as well as serve as a foundation for the advancement of spiritual health for the congregation.

DISSERTATION WRITING (Dr. Barros)

• • The dissertation is the final written doctoral-level project that addresses a problem arising out of the student’s own practice of ministry. The project follows the traditional dissertation format, which consists of five chapters organized in the following sequence: Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results, and Conclusion.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

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

• Objectively evaluate the ministry in which the student has been involved.
• Identify and analyze limitations that hinder church maturation.
• Develop networking strategies as a means of learning from other pastors regarding church limitations.
• Identify and research diverse approaches as well as implement action to overcome obstacles to church maturation.
• Establish strategies for effective church leadership for the advancement of spiritual maturity.
• Create a Doctor of Ministry Project utilizing a problem-solving methodology to accomplish church maturity.
• Develop a reporting instrument for sharing the results of project implementation.

D.Min FACULTY:

Dr. Larry Clements
D.Ed.Min. from Dallas Theological Seminary, Doctor of Theology from California Missionary Baptist Institute, pastor for forty-five years, Editor in Chief of Publication Bogard Press fifteen years.

Dr. Joe Morell
Doctor of Theology from Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary, twenty years as Missionary to Lithuania, pastor for thirty years in United States, lectures extensively on Mission Readiness for local churches, founded and coordinates Missionary Training Ministry for training and equipping leaders for Mission work.

Glen Moore
PhD Practical Theology, Columbia Biblical Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina, in progress.  Thirty-one years of experience leading churches to be effective in spiritual growth strategies, outreach with the gospel, and community impact.

Dr. Steve Butler
D.Ed.Min. from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Biblical Counseling Certification from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Doctor of Theology from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, forty-one years associate pastor.

Dr. Francisco Barros
PhD in Classics – Greek Language and Literature from University of Sao Paulo, studied at Cambridge University, Research Specialist for Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary.

Dr. David Proctor
D. Min. in Preaching from Union University, certification from Olford Institute in Preaching, Doctor of Theology from Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, Instructor at Texas Baptist Institute twenty-three years, church pastor twenty-five years.