Important note regarding when courses are offered:

Term notations of Summer, Preterm, Fall, Interterm, Spring, or Post-term mean that the course is offered during that term every year. When a term notation is followed by odd or even, then the course is offered during that term only in odd or even years, respectively. For example, a course that meets Summer, Fall odd will meet every summer (e.g. 2009, 2010), but only during the fall semester of odd years (e.g. 2009, not 2010). A course that meets Summer even, Spring odd, will meet summer 2010, 2012, and spring 2011, 2013.

Courses that do not have a term notation are modules (e.g., DM and MM), are offered in specific sequence (e.g., M.F.A. courses), or are not offered on a set rotation (some electives). “DL” means distance learning.

The number of semester credit hours for a course is shown in parentheses following the title.

DM 701 Children’s Ministry in the Growing Church (3) This course will provide practical insight into developing and maintaining a ministry to children. Students discuss topics such as children’s church, weeknight programs, camp ministry, and vacation Bible school.

DM 702 Strategies for Global Missions (3) A study of methods for effectively instituting a global missions program in the local church. Students learn how to plan a missions budget, evaluate missionary candidates, and effectively involve the church family in missions.

DM 703 Family Enrichment through the Local Church (3) Students examine and critique effective tools for reaching and strengthening the family through the local church ministry.

DM 704 Managing Christian Organizations (3) This course provides practical insights and teaches students sound business principles for the local church and Christian school.

DM 705 21st Century Evangelism and Discipleship (3) A practical study of the challenges facing the pastor and his congregation as they seek to share the gospel in the midst of a rapidly changing cultural context. Students examine various methods of outreach and training.

DM 706 The Local Church: Building and Growing in the 21st Century (3) In this course, the student will establish a biblical philosophy of organization and administration for a growing fundamental church in the 21st century. Jan. ’10, DL.

DM 707 The Bible Translation Controversy and the Principle of Separation (3) This course applies principles of separation to the textual translation issue from the standpoint of a pastor. Especially applicable to local churches, this course will enable pastors to help their lay people understand the textual issue. Students critique Westcott and Hort’s unorthodox beliefs, along with doctrinal deviations in the NIV and NASB. DL.

DM 708 I & II Timothy: Principles for Winning the Younger Generation (3) Students learn biblical guidelines for evangelizing and edifying children, teens, and young adults from the pastoral epistles to Timothy. Projects will focus on messages and methodology moored to the timeless truths of God’s Word.

DM 709 Studies in Nehemiah: God’s Methodology for Building a Steadfast Church (3) Students explore the character, dedication, separation, and steadfastness of the prophet Nehemiah to set forth principles for overcoming obstacles to church growth.

DM 711 The Christian Home: Maintaining the Haven in Turbulent Times (3) The home is the basic unit of society and Satan’s primary target. This course gives Scriptural principles that will safeguard the Christian home against the vicious and subtle attacks of the enemy. Students will learn the parent’s responsibility of child rearing with an emphasis on biblical disciplining, the interaction of church and home in maintaining a safe haven for the family, and the pastor’s role in maintaining proper family relationships.

DM 715 Jeremiah: Pastoral Applications for Overcoming Ministry Trials (3) An in-depth study of Jeremiah’s life and prophecy, focusing on his ministry challenges and responses and correlating Jeremiah’s ministry paradigm with that of the New Testament pastor. The course will provide practical answers to the problems of contemporary ministry while demonstrating continuity between Old and New Testament spiritual leadership models. Aug. ’10.

DM 721 Current Theological Trends (3) Students critique selected major theological trends affecting the ministry today. DL.

DM 722 Biblical Perspectives on Contemporary Ethical Issues (3) Students apply biblical study to analyze present-day ethical issues of interest to the church.

DM 723 Genesis: Developing and Implementing a Biblical World View in Your Church (3) A pastor’s world view will influence how he approaches current issues facing the church today. This course provides practical, biblical instruction so that the student can develop and implement the appropriate world view in his church for the 21st century. DL.

DM 724 The Church and Government: Biblical Relationships in an Era of Hostility (3) Local churches and traditional Christian liberties are coming under attack across the United States of America. In this dynamic course, students explore various legal threats affecting the freedoms of pastors, local churches, parents, and Christian free speech. They also learn steps to help protect Christian liberty in our nation and practical outlines on how to minister effectively in today’s culture.

DM 725 The Book of Judges: Principles of Revival and Apostasy (3) Questions about spiritual revival are addressed and answered in the book of Judges in its treatment of Israel’s moral and religious cycles. This study is especially important in this day of controversy over revival principles. Students engage in a thorough exposition of the Book of Judges and make direct applications of its teachings to their ministries.

DM 727 Romans and Galatians: Pastoral Studies in the Doctrine of Soteriology (3) This course gives a practical and positive exposition of the biblical doctrine of soteriology. Students discuss and defend the simplicity of the gospel and eternal security of the believer against errant teachings such as Calvinism and lordship salvation.

DM 728 I Corinthians: Confronting Common Problems in the Local Church (3) Many of the problems the Apostle Paul confronted in the Corinthian church still plague the church today. Carnal Christianity is dealt with from a biblical perspective, including God’s principles of separation and sanctification. Aug. ’09.

DM 741 The Anatomy of Leadership: Evaluation and Development (3) This course provides practical insight that trains the student to discern and evaluate qualities that mark an effective leader.

DM 742 Ministry Enrichment: Renewing Your Vision (3) This course is taken in conjunction with the annual Enrichment Conference for pastors and youth directors. Students research topics of current interest to Christian ministry.

DM 744 Building Pastoral Relationships: The Bridges to Successful Ministry (3) The pastor’s relationship to God, his family, his church, and his community are key to successful ministry. This course will teach students how to develop these key relationships.

DM 745 Proverbs: Guidelines for Personal, Spiritual, and Professional Development (3) The corrupting influence of contemporary society can entice God’s people to wander through a maze of inadequate solutions for life’s challenges. In contrast to numerous “success manuals” currently available, God’s wisdom in the Book of Proverbs teaches students timeless guidance through precepts, principles, and priorities that give biblical keys for living an enjoyable and enriched Christian life to the glory of God.

DM 746 The Pastoral Epistles: New Testament Principles for Pastoring (3) The grammatical imperatives of the Pastoral Epistles are discussed in class and applied to vibrant pastoral ministry. Instruction combines sound Bible exposition and pastoral experience to instill the pastoral vision and expertise needed for a growing local church. May ’09.

DM 751 The Making and Ministry of a Missionary: Principles from the Life of Paul (3) This study of the book of Acts traces the life of the Apostle Paul and emphasizes his impact on world-wide evangelism. Students learn principles of missions from the Pauline Epistles and apply these principles to local church outreach in the 21st century.

DM 752 Studies in Philippians: A Biblical Guideline for Missions (3) This practical study of Paul’s prison epistle to Philippi will help God’s man to promote outreach at home and abroad. Pastors, missionaries, and teachers should grasp a biblical burden for missions and will become better equipped to train, encourage, and motivate believers to answer God’s call to missions.

DM 761 Communicating the Old Testament Message (3) Students interpret and apply selected Old Testament passages with an emphasis on communicating expository messages to the congregation.

DM 762 Communicating the New Testament Message (3) Students interpret and apply selected New Testament passages with an emphasis on communicating expository messages to the congregation.

DM 763 Contemporary Preaching (3) This course provides practical insight and hands-on experience for the pastor seeking to communicate the Word of God more effectively to his congregation.

DM 764 Preaching through the Book of Revelation (3) Students engage in a careful study of the themes and message found in this important book of New Testament prophecy, with emphasis on sermon construction and preaching.

DM 765 Preaching through the Old Testament: The Message of the Books (3) The very arrangement of the books of the Bible presents an unfolding revelation of truth. Students will explore the overall central message of each Old Testament book and develop selected sermons that connect each book to its overall context in Scripture. Helpful introductory and summary material will be discussed.

DM 791–792 Research Study I and II (3 credits each) These studies will be carried out at the student’s residence and will result in a completed major project and defense. The study is completed under the direction of a primary reader and the Seminary Doctoral Committee.