COURSE DESCRIPTION & SCHEDULE
Full Schedule of Courses (pdf)
Updated July 5, 2010
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
MASTER OF DIVINITY & MASTER OF ARTS
MASTER OF DIVINITY & MASTER OF ARTS
APPL 500 Guided Study
Guided Studies provide students with an opportunity to engage in an area of study not specifically covered by current foundational curriculum.
APPL 511 Introduction to Preaching
The course focuses on the formation and development of the skills necessary to develop and deliver a biblical sermon. Sermons will be preached in ministry settings of the student’s choice. Sermons will be evaluated by a committee of congregation members in that setting, as well as by the professor. Bible courses are prerequisite.
APPL 512 Worship
Worship is central to the life of the Church of Jesus Christ. Some would even assert that it is the primary purpose of the Church. What is worship? Why do we worship? What comprises true biblical worship? Given the constantly changing context of our churches, how do we maintain genuine worship while also seeking to be appropriate to our context? What is the relationship between our personal involvement in worship and our corporate experience of worship? How is community fostered in the act of worship? These are some of the central questions this course will seek to answer through classroom teaching and also through experiences of worship and reflection on them.
APPL 574 Introduction to Pastoral Care
The course will survey the broad theological, psychological and practical foundations critical to the task of pastoral care. From a strongly articulated theological understanding of pastoral care, the course will provide the student with skill to apply their learning in real life settings. General care, crisis care, marriage, death and bereavement will be the main issues of the course.
APPL 580 Leadership
This course acknowledges that understanding servant leadership in the church is one of the major issues in the growth of the Christian community today. Drawing upon biblical teachings regarding servant leadership and reviewing current theory and practice from the business sector, this course will explore the nature of effective servant leadership.
APPL 619 Advanced Preaching 講道學進階 (Chinese)
The course builds on the foundation of Introduction to Preaching and explores the varieties of preaching by focusing on nine different approaches, with the goal of helping the students to find one or several approaches that best suit them and their congregations.
傳道人面對怎樣宣講及撰寫一篇講章會有不同抉擇:演譯或歸納，強調大綱要點抑或故事見証，重情或說理等。本科將探討九種不同講道進路，幫助傳道人認識更多講道法，了解最新講道的趨勢，從而更有創意及有效的宣講神的話語。課堂內亦會分析不同類型的講道及講章，從不同前輩中學
習，集思廣益，以收互動研討之效，藉此幫助傳道人找出一條或多條適合自己及牧養群體的講道進路。
APPL 685 Teaching & Learning in the Church
This course will provide opportunity for participants to analyze their own and other’s church related learning requirements. This course is designed for participants to examine a variety of learning theories, perspectives and principles relevant to teaching and preaching ministries, and explore how participants can design and implement effective learning experiences in and for churches. Through examination of theoretical perspectives on designing learning experiences and analyses of “science of learning” principles, participants will have an opportunity to grow in their understanding of their own teaching strengths and challenges, and to consider with others in the course, how to best design and implement effective learning experiences in churches. This course will include participant presentation of a model church program designed according to the theoretical perspectives and science of learning principles examined in the course.
APPL 690 Supervised Ministry (11 Months)
The goal of this course is readiness for effective ministry. It is an eleven-month orientation to ministry which has at its heart an individually-designed ministry experience involving supervision, selected reading, reflection on ministry through journaling and reports, and direct ministry involvement. Students are advised to enrol when they have completed 15-30 credit hours of study.
APPL 695 MASF Practicum
A six-credit hour practicum will be designed to enable students to gain both practical skill and vocational discernment. Practica may be completed in a variety of settings, including but not restricted to congregational ministry, retreat settings, and the public work of the church. Students wishing to focus on learning to accompany persons in the ministry of spiritual direction will be encouraged to complete their practica in a context that focuses on this role.
BIBL 501 Introduction to Old Testament
The purpose of this course is to give an overview of the background and contents of the Old Testament as Christian Scripture, to offer a basic orientation to the field of OT study, and to locate the place of the OT in the life of the Church today.
本課程要向學員介紹舊約的背景和內容之概要，如何研究舊約聖經，並如何在現今教會中應用舊約。
BIBL 503 Reading & Speaking the Text
This is an introductory course in which the student is exposed to the basic steps and some of the tools and methodology for interpreting the Bible. The course emphasizes hands-on experience in exegetical method. At the same time some of the preliminary questions of hermeneutics are also addressed.
BIBL 512 New Testament I: Jesus and the Gospels
Within the Christian Church and secular society we see renewed controversy concerning Jesus. One’s perception of Jesus is contingent on which sources one views as genuine. The course starts with a survey of the non-biblical sources for the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus. It then provides an historical overview of the most influential interpreters of Jesus. With this background, the student is prepared for a detailed study of the four New Testament Gospels. While attention is given to the first century, the focus is on the contemporary relevance of Jesus’ ministry and teaching for the life of the individual and church.
BIBL 513 New Testament II: Acts – Revelation
This course explores how Acts to Revelation build upon the foundation laid by Jesus’ life and ministry. Special attention is given to God’s use of people such as Paul, Peter and John to further the cause of the kingdom. Various critical theological issues and background information will be studied. In addition, the course provides an introduction to Biblical Greek.
BIBL 512 Introduction to the New Testament I: Gospels is not a prerequisite for this course.
BIBL 620 Gospel of Matthew
The Kingdom of God is a focus for many Evangelical Christians. More than any of the other gospel writers, Matthew is captivated by Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom. Are we ready for the Gospel of Mathew’s portrayal of an unconventional King and counter cultural Kingdom? This course consists of a detailed exposition of the text of the Gospel of Matthew. Special attention is given to what life in the Kingdom meant in the first century and what it requires today.
BIBL 640 Old Testament Exegeses, Deuteronomy
This course focuses on the detailed exegesis of Deuteronomy as a representative of the Pentateuch, utilizing the exegetical skills gained in the basic biblical exegesis course. A variety of methods and tools of interpretation will be brought to bear on this book to uncover what it meant to its original implied audience and what it still has to say to the Church today. Additionally, the course will examine how Deuteronomy has been influential on its readers in biblical history, ancient Judaism (especially at Qumran), and the New Testament.
CSF 500 Awakening to the Inward Journey
Spiritual formation is the process of being formed by the Holy Spirit through God into the likeness of Christ. It involves both an inward journey of a deepening life with God and the outward expression of that life in compassion. This course will lay a foundation for the inward journey through focusing on biblical movements in relation to one’s personal story, Christian spiritual formation through the ages, self-understanding and practices that cultivate God-attentiveness.
CSF 600 Living in the Outward Journey
Relationality is at the heart of God and thus the heart of Christian spirituality. We do not become spiritually mature without others. Christian community within which and through which we live out the spiritual life is a reflection of our relationship with God and others. Ours is a shared journey. As we willingly open ourselves to the transformative movement of the love of God, we open ourselves to the world around us. The inward/outward spiritual experience is a participation in Jesus’ incarnational presence, through the Spirit, giving flesh to God’s compassionate love of humanity and all creation.
The outward journey takes into consideration the persons we are, our interests, our personality, and our unique relationship with God and weaves that uniqueness into the fabric of community, the people of God. Together we are entrusted with the challenge of embodying the values and vision of God’s kingdom. The Spirit of God invites us to be an attentive and responsive presence as we listen for and respond to the guidance of that “still small voice” guiding our journey together; a journey that promotes and establishes healing and hope, compassion and justice, peace and reconciliation, in the world … on earth, as it is in heaven.
CSF 650 A Lived Spirituality
This course has been designed specifically for CSF graduates (pre 2010) who are registered for the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation. The content of this course focuses on material new to the CSF program in 2010, aiding students in their preparation for continued study in the MASF.
The course includes an emphasis on learning to live out the attitudes and beliefs of a community characterized by an attentive and responsive presence to the Spirit of God, and includes an opportunity for involvement in stewardship of the earth and the public life of the church.
FORM 500 Character and Call of the Pastor – The Pastor as Person
The essential foundation of Christian ministry is one’s “character and call.” Skills, knowledge, ministry practices and spiritual gifts are built on this essential and personal core. The purpose of this course is to assist students in discerning their call to vocational Christian ministry (inside and outside of the church) and to explore with them the essential spiritual, familial, personality, emotional and character issues that enable a lifetime of faithfulness and enjoyment of Christian ministry. As such, the course serves to focus and strengthen the student in pastoral ethics. Our learning will be highly personal, dialectic and discovery focused, where more than academic competency is required. Note: The Character and Call of the Pastor is divided into 2 separate courses (FORM 500 and FORM 501). There are no prerequisites to the class and students may choose to enrol in FORM 501 prior to completing FORM 500. FORM 500 focuses on the shaping of the “Pastor as Person.” FORM 501 focuses on the shaping of the “Health of the Church and Minister.”
FORM 501 Character and Call of the Pastor – The Health of the Church and Minister
The essential foundation of Christian ministry is one’s “character and call.” Skills, knowledge, ministry practices and spiritual gifts are built on this essential and personal core. The purpose of this course is to assist students in discerning their call to vocational Christian ministry (inside and outside of the church) and to explore with them the essential spiritual, familial, personality, emotional and character issues that enable a lifetime of faithfulness and enjoyment of Christian ministry. As such, the course serves to focus and strengthen the student in pastoral ethics. Our learning will be highly personal, dialectic and discovery focused, where more than academic competency is required. Note: The Character and Call of the Pastor is divided into 2 separate courses (FORM 500 and FORM 501). There are no prerequisites to the class and students may choose to enrol in FORM 501 prior to completing FORM 500. FORM 500 focuses on the shaping of the “Pastor as Person.” FORM 501 focuses on the shaping of the “Health of the Church and Minister.”
HIST 503 Global Church History
A survey of the history of Christianity from the end of the New Testament era (ca. 100 C.E.) to the present through an examination of both primary and secondary texts with an emphasis on Christian theology, spirituality, ethics, institutional developments, and the interaction between culture and faith, in a global context.
HIST 562 Baptist Identity
Baptists constitute a people within the family of Christian churches who share a common history and a common vision of the Christian faith. This on-line course seeks to introduce the distinctive character of the Baptist heritage with a view toward our shared task, namely, ministering in western Canada in the twenty-first century.
MISS 535 Integral Mission
The notion of integral mission emerged out of 20th century discussion and debate in evangelical and ecumenical circles concerning the Church, the Gospel, and the mission of God in the world. This course introduces that history through relevant readings, examines key Biblical principles, and provides an overview of mission methods and strategies that illustrate integral mission in practice.
MISS 550 Urban Mission and Ministry
In this course, participants will examine the uniqueness of the city and develop appropriate strategies for effective ministry and mission within the urban context. A particular context for ministry within greater Vancouver will be explored and a contextual urban vision developed. Special consideration will be paid to relevant sociological, demographic, economic and religious factors influencing urban ministry. These factors will be examined through the lens of a broad, transformational vision of the gospel that understands the local church to be a missional community.
MLOS 500 Graduate Studies Orientation
The Graduate Studies Orientation introduces the learning objectives of the degree program and prepares students to re-enter the academic world while remaining involved in practical ministry. It provides a foundation for the process of discernment of ministry gifts and skills, and the deepening of Christian character, which are integral to readiness for ministry. Ministry audits are a part of this process.
NACC 680 Leadership Issues in North American Chinese Churches 北美華人教會教牧領導
This course is designed to address specific issues confronting inward and outward expressions of North American Chinese pastoral leadership which include the understanding of calling and identity, pastoral ethics, interpersonal relationships and power dynamics, pastoral and congregational relationships, team work, communication and addressing conflict, and church governance issues.
NACC 670 Reading the Contexts of Chinese Churches in North America 北美華人教會文化詮釋
This course will explore the historical background and cultural framework that influence the life and ministry of Chinese congregations in North America. Students will learn to reflect, interpret and critique theologically on the history of the Chinese and immigrant church, prominent Chinese Christian Spiritualities, cultural values such as face and shame, filial piety and family system, and in light of the larger North American context.
NACC 685 Liturgical and Congregational Concerns in North American Chinese Churches 北美華人教會牧養藝術
This course will address liturgical and congregational concerns pertaining to the particular context of North American Chinese congregations. Special attention will be paid to the area of pastoral care, worship, preaching and inter-generational ministries in North American Chinese congregations.
NACC 635 Rethinking the Mission of North American Chinese Christian Communities 北美華人教會社會使命
This course is designed to help leaders to rethink the identity and mission of Chinese Christian communities in North America from the larger social context. This course will engage students in learning and reading the contemporary Western postmodern culture, specifically in the North American society, and its implication on mission, evangelism, and the ministries of justice and mercy.
SPIR 500 Spiritual Formation I
Through this course, students will learn to recognize the relationship between the inward journey of a deepening life with God and the outward expression of that life in compassion. In addition, they will deepen their desire to grow in Christ and learn to use spiritual practices that facilitate that desire and sustain life with God. This course precedes Spiritual Formation II.
SPIR 501 Spiritual Formation II
Relationality is at the heart of God and thus the heart of Christian spirituality. We do not become spiritually mature without others. This course will consider the Christian community within which and through which we live out a shared spiritual life. A communal spirituality demands that we be full participants in a more vibrant, shared expression of Jesus’ incarnational presence; giving flesh to God’s compassionate love of humanity and all creation.
The outward journey is the way of community, a community entrusted with the challenge of embodying the values and vision of God’s kingdom. The Spirit of God invites us to be an attentive and responsive presence as we listen for and respond to the guidance of that “still small voice” guiding our journey together. This course will focus on the role of leadership in community by addressing topics such as the temptations of spiritual leadership, contemplative communities of action, spiritual practices for the outward journey, and Christian spirituality and creation care. This course follows Spiritual Formation I.
SPIR 588 Introduction to Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction is the simple gift of offering to another person the gentle but tenacious encouragement to open oneself fully to God’s loving presence and to co-discern God’s action in every aspect of life. In receiving spiritual direction, we learn to open our hearts more deeply in trust and surrender. Spiritual direction provides a safe and yet challenging place where our story can be honoured as the raw material in which we learn to discern the signs of God drawing us into the intimacy of loving union and intimacy with God. Through spiritual direction we also learn to follow the Spirit’s guidance as we discover how to integrate and express God’s presence in our everyday choices.
SPIR 690 Leading Spiritual Formation Ministries
In this course, students will gain experience and knowledge in designing, leading and evaluating spiritual formation ministries. Particular attention will be given to the context of each student’s anticipated ministry context.
THEO 503 World Religions
Knowledge of the major religions of the world is critical not only to understand global affairs but also numerous local issues. Many regions of Canada have become distinctly multicultural and often this includes religious diversity. This course provides a basic understanding of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Taoism, evaluates their impact on both Canadian Society and world affairs and develops a strategy for witnessing to the adherents of these non-Christian religions.
THEO 520 Doctrinal Heritage of the Church
Effective Christian pastoral ministry demands that we live and minister “theologically,” that is, that we view life and ministry through the lens of Christian commitment. To do so requires a solid theological foundation consisting of an informed understanding of the core convictions that we share as Christians, from which we draw implications for living. This course surveys the central Christian doctrines as set forth in the biblical message and taught in the church throughout its history, but viewed in the context of the contemporary world in which God calls us to live and minister. In so doing, the course seeks to help participants develop expertise as theologically informed Christian ministers who can connect stated beliefs with life and ministry. This course must be taken prior to THEO 618.
THEO 618 Theological Reflection
Effective pastoral ministry requires that we minister “theologically,” that is, that we view ourselves, our vocational calling and those we serve through the lens of Christian commitment. Doing so, however, requires a solid theological foundation as well as an acute understanding of the manner in which life and ministry arise out of, or are informed by core Christian convictions. This course explores both the manner in which Christian convictions arise and the way in which such convictions ought to affect the practice of ministry. Its primary goal is to assist you in developing expertise as a theologically oriented pastor or church leader who can come to solid theological conclusions and can draw from the resources of Christian conviction for the sake of God-honouring and effective ministry. THEO 520 is a prerequisite.
THEO 630 Christian Ethics
In this course we seek to discern how to participate in the reality of God’s redemption of creation through the crucified and risen Messiah so that we may live and bear witness to that work especially in the areas where our lives overlap with the lives of those who do not know and believe the good news of Jesus Christ.
DCC 901 Research and Design Methodology for Ministry
This is a required course designed to assist the student in theological reflection and academic thought. Particular attention is paid to the nature of research and various patterns of research procedures. An introduction will be given to the methodologies (qualitative, narrative, critical, and some empirical) which might be utilized during the congregational engagement and the candidacy phase of the program.
DCE 996 Congregational Engagement
The congregational engagement is a guided study which assists the student to apply learning components to the practical ministry setting. The local congregation along with the student and the Faculty Supervisor will determine how the congregation will participate in the learning module which will be locally based. This will be an action-based research study component through which students organize and reflect on their respective application in the church.
DCM 921 Guided Studies
A guided study is contracted with a member of the faculty who is willing to supervise the proposed course of study.
DCO 925 Preaching as Theatre
This course examines the common ground between theatre and preaching. Through theological reflection and homilectical analysis, the notion of performance will be explored and applied to preaching. Skills and attitudes preachers may learn from actors will be educed. Attention will be given to the creative process so that students may deepen their self-knowledge and practices.
DCO 991/992 Reflecting Theologically in Ministry
These courses are designed so that participants are able to reflect on the actual ministry in which each is engaged. The integration of theology and ministry forms the basis for discussion. Participants sharpen their focus on their specific ministry concerns through interacting with the instructor and the peer group. Ministry experience reports will be presented by each participant.
DOS 900 Doctoral Orientation Seminar
This orientation to the Doctor of Ministry program gives an overview of its goals, learning theory, critical pedagogy and the demands on personal time, discipline and motivation for the program. It also includes an orientation to the John Allison Library.
DPM 940 Leading the Congregation/Engaging the Community
The concept of integral mission places mercy, justice and community development alongside evangelism and discipleship on the agenda of pastoral leadership. While the biblical foundations for integral mission are clear, the practical outworking presents many challenges. This course provides an opportunity to wrestle with the implications of integral mission for the local church as a question of practical theology. The focus is how pastors might lead their congregation to a renewed theological vision of the church’s calling in ministry and witness to the Gospel, and to practical missional engagement in their community context.
DPS 900 Doctoral Project Seminar
This is a required course designed to assist the participant through the project design phase of the Doctor of Ministry program. Completing an approved proposal is one of the final steps that moves a participant to Doctor of Ministry Candidacy status and allows the participant to proceed with the implementation and completion of their project. A review of various research paradigms will assist the participant to design their doctoral project whether they use qualitative research (ethnographic), action-reflection or quantitative research. Participants will complete a penultimate draft of the project proposal during the seminar.
DSF 910 Vital Spirituality for Christians, Congregations and Communities
Course description coming soon. Please check on-line at www.carey-edu.ca for updates.