Welcome to PTS 542E, Pastoral Practices in the Small Church taught by Dr. Glenn Daman! This is an online demo of the course which contains only the first topic.

This is a multimedia course, making effective use of many newer technologies including Internet streaming of audio and video materials, formatted text, chat rooms and bulletin boards, and live interactive broadcasts. If your are comfortable in browsing the web (and reading this text), you likely have all the computer skills needed to successfuly complete this course. Despite our technical innovations, we have made every effort to simplify the delivery while emphasizing content and educational quality.

Software Requirements

This on-line course will require a general understanding of the World Wide Web and the use of email communication. Each student will be required to have a personal email address with the ability to send and receive email attachments and appropriate access to the Web (broadband connection recommended).

Software Requirements:

• Microsoft Windows OS (XP Preferred)
• Word processor able to write to Microsoft Word 6.0 (or later) format
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 (or higher) (free download)
• Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) Internet Browser (free download)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) internet browser
• Windows Media Player 9.0 (or higher) (free download)
• Microsoft PowerPoint 97 (or later) OR Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer (free download)

The free downloads may be accessed via the buttons to the left. If you don't have a high-speed internet connection, you may request a CLL Utilities Disk which contains most of them.

Note for Mac Users:
While our CD-ROM courses are not designed for operation on Macintosh brand computers, some students have successfully completed courses, though with limitations to full course functionality. Contact WSCLL for more information.

Format Conventions

	Text files are typically in Word document format. Some text files may require the Adobe Reader; this is available via the buttons on the left.
	Audio Files require sound card & speakers. Files are in .wma, .wmv or .mp3 audio formats.
	Western Seminary's Center for Lifelong Learning uses video files in the Windows Media Video format (.wmv). This is a free download that you can access from the link in the left column.
	If there are notes for the course, you will normally require either Microsoft Word or Word Viewer, or you will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This, too, is available by clicking on the appropriate link on the left.
	Powerpoint Slides require either the full version of Powerpoint or the Powerpoint Viewer.
	As with notes files, outlines may require Word, Word Viewer, or Acrobat Reader to view the file.
	The Online Learning Center is Western's Learning Management System (LMS) that provides more detailed information about your course, provides opportunities for peer or faculty interaction, and affords a variety of other tools and resources.
	These numbered buttons found in the left hand column of each page take you to the media page for each course Topic. If a button is grey, it means that that Topic is on another disk (check the disk labels to see which Topics are included on each disk).

Many of the files which are included in the course are available as downloads. In "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" open the folder for your CD-ROM drive and click on "Documents" or "Powerpoint" in the "Course" folder to browse the files there. If you have plenty of space, you may also wish to copy the entire contents of this CD onto your hard drive to gain better performance.

What Happens Now

Credit Students

Lifelong Learning students who choose to study for graduate credit are required to complete all course requirements within the prescribed duration of the course. This is a graduate-level course and will require a significant investment of time and effort by the student comparable to that of Western's on-campus students. We recommend that you carefully review the course syllabus for complete information concerning both the learning objectives and course requirements prior to registration.

For the student who is not interested in graduate level credit but who desires to benefit from world-class Bible and ministry instruction, courses may be taken for enrichment or audit. At a fraction of the cost of credit instruction, students may still participate in all functions of the course, but will not, under any circumstances, earn graduate credit. Students will receive appropriate Learning Units from the Center for Lifelong Learning which may be applied toward non-academic Advanced Study Certificates.

As an enrichment student, you are welcome to do all or part of the course - depending upon your purpose and commitment. You are welcome to complete the assignments, and to participate in other aspects of the course as you desire. None of the materials will be hand graded, however, and no academic credit will be given.

How to Get Started Right

We encourage you to explore the internet resource links found in the top menu bar and the upper right hand corner of each page. These provide valuable resources and information which you may find helpful in your studies. When you are comfortable, click on the Online Learning Center link and log in to the course website to begin this course.

Questions

Questions that deal with course delivery (use of the Internet, Online Learning Center, CD-ROM functionality, etc.) should be directed to the course administrator at the Western Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning. For course content questions, please address communications to the course instructor. You may use the "Email" buttons in the left column of each page.