Western
Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning
Course Descriptions
Pastoral Ministry
Note: Course syllabi for most courses may be found on the WSCLL student website: www.wscll.net/Syllabi/
DMS 501E – Thinking Theologically about Ministry. Ministry is built upon
sound biblical, theological and cultural foundations. Each generation of the
Church must understand and build on these foundations, as well as discover
relevant contemporary innovations and applications. This course intends
to help you integrate an understanding of the Word and the world with the
development of a personal philosophy of ministry. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
DMS 502E – Introducing the Theology and the Practice of Worship. John Johnson. The biblical concept of worship and the appropriate utilization of music in its public forms. Identifies the conditions, qualities, and ingredients that most enhance the integrity and meaningfulness of public worship. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
DMS 506E – Developing Godly Leadership for the 21st Century. A core
leadership course designed for those who intend to be future leaders of
the church. This course will move from definitions to the core values of a
leader; how to take ministry through a vision process, engage in strategic
planning, decision-making, and implementation, build great teams, work
through conflict and change, delegate tasks, and effectively mentor the next
generation of leaders. Models from the corporate, political, and military
worlds will be compared and contrasted with the biblical definitions and
illustrations of leadership. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
PTS 505E - Providing Effective Leadership in the Local Church. John Johnson, Ph.D. This course builds on the principles of DMS 506 and applies them to the local church. The aim is to prepare pastors to be the leaders God intends for His church. Specific issues treated include pastoral self-leadership; building a leadership team; creating a healthy staff-board relationship; leading a congregation through change, crises and conflict, and the dynamics that come with growth; effective management of resources - from volunteers to staff development to budgeting and expenditures; and leading the church into the future. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
PTS 506E - Providing Pastoral Care. John Johnson, Ph.D. This course will equip you to shepherd the church. A philosophy of pastoral care and the skills required for the practical application of this philosophy will be addressed. The role of the shepherd will be examined, as well as the spiritual foundations for pastoral care. The duties that come with shepherding will be taught, including the conducting of ordinances, weddings and funerals. The essentials of pastoral counseling, visitation, care to the dying, and congregational accountability will be covered. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
PTS 510E - Preparing and Preaching Expository Sermons. Art Azurdia, D.Min. In this course you will learn how to organize and develop life-changing sermons based upon and bounded by careful biblical interpretation. You will also learn how to communicate the relevance of the biblical message to your contemporary audience, and to deliver that message in a natural and effective manner. Prerequisite: DBS 506. 2-4 credit hours.
PTS 541E – Shepherding the Small Church. Glenn Daman, D.Min. This course provides the background for developing and revitalizing the overall ministry of the small church. The focus is upon how the unique cultural and organizational distinctives of the small church affect each of the key areas of ministry effectiveness. Delivered via CD ROM with Internet-based resources. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
PTS 542E – Pastoral Practices in the Small Church. Glenn Daman, D.Min. This course provides the background for developing and revitalizing the overall ministry of the small church. The focus is upon how the unique cultrual and organizational distinctives of the small church affect each of the key areas of ministry effectiveness. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
ITS Audio Courses
IPT 502E – Exploring Approaches to Apologetics. Gordon Lewis, Ph.D. In this course, learners compare biblical, historical, and recent approaches to defending faith in God, Christ, and Scripture. The course emphasizes the apologetics of Peter among Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 2), and Paul among the Gentiles in Athens (Acts 17). It compares the still influential approaches of Augustine and Aquinas, but focuses primarily on the approaches of six apologists who led in the resurgence of evangelicalism during the last half of the twentieth century. 24 audio sessions. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
IPT 504E – Christian Worldview. James M. Grier, Th.D. This course examines the nature and function of belief structures, and the value of developing and living a distinctly Christian life. The course develops a Christian worldview from a redemptive history model of Biblical theology, which is then clarified using the philosophical categories of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Learners will gain an understanding of modern and postmodern thought and how to critique them biblically, and are encouraged to develop and apply a Christian worldview to life and ministry. 24 audio sessions. 2 hours or 2 Learning Units.
* A Learning
Unit is Western Seminary’s measurement of non-credit
participation in a course. One LU is equivalent to 15 hours of classroom
time. Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, are required by some professional
organizations to measure ongoing learning performed by their members.
The Center for Lifelong Learning offers CEUs to members of these groups;
please contact the CLL office for details.
