Ministry Leadership (TN & FL)

Strategies of Children’s Ministry
This course prepares the student to develop and maintain an effective ministry to children, ages 0-11. This course introduces strategies, programs, ministries, and leadership skills necessary for the effective spiritual nurture of children. A practicum is part of the course.

Foundations of Student and Children’s Ministry
This course focuses on the foundations of next-generation ministry including a theology of children’s and student ministry, child & student development, understanding culture and its implications for ministry with young people, and the foundations for developing lesson plans to teach both children and students.

Theories of Family Ministry
This course will focus on developing a multi-generational approach to ministry. Theology and theories of family ministry will be explored including family systems theory, family ministry models, and best practices for ministry to the whole family.

Ministry Leadership Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual ministry contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various ministry tasks, observe ministry situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop the skills they need for ministry.

Introduction to Counseling Ministry
This course introduces students to the ministry of counseling and provides an orientation to the counseling field. This orientation includes the historical roots of the field, the person of the counselor, ethics, multicultural considerations, and professional development through the lens of a biblical worldview. Philosophical foundations for the integration between theology and psychology are also introduced and explored to aid the student in developing a sound worldview for counseling ministry.

Counseling Ministry Practicum
The practicum experience provides students the opportunity to integrate theory, knowledge, and skills acquired in the classroom through supervised experience in community ministries or churches.

Pastoral Counseling
This course provides an overview of specific counseling situations faced in ministry, including integration of psychology and theology. Theory and practical application will be integrated in such a way as to assist the student in developing a “style of counseling.” Some role-play situations are included.

Family Life Education Methodology
This course provides an understanding of the general philosophy and broad principles of family life education in conjunction with the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate such educational programs in a variety of settings (government, non-profit, faith-based, etc.). An understanding and application of employing various strategies, educational principles, and techniques and technologies to meet the needs of diverse audiences are addressed. Special emphasis is given to the implementation of evidence-based programs.

Ministry Leadership Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual ministry contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various ministry tasks, observe ministry situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop the skills they need for ministry.

Theories of Biblical Preaching
This course builds upon the principles learned in Foundations of Biblical Preaching, leading students to a deeper understanding of the history and theology of preaching, various sermon forms, the significance of and methods for developing a sermon series, and the application of Scripture to listeners’ lives.

Practices of Biblical Preaching
This course builds upon prior preaching courses and leads students to integrate preaching with worship, leadership, and biblical interpretation. Special attention is given to preaching from various biblical genres.

Dynamics of Senior Leadership
This course equips students for the relational, administrative, and leadership dynamics that are unique to senior leadership roles in churches. Learning activities include guest speakers and interactive projects designed to prepare students for positions such as lead minister, senior minister, or executive minister.

Foundations of Student and Children’s Ministry
This course focuses on the foundations of next-generation ministry including a theology of children’s and student ministry, child & student development, understanding culture and its implications for ministry with young people, and the foundations for developing lesson plans to teach both children’s and students.

Ministry Leadership Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual ministry contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various ministry tasks, observe ministry situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop the skills they need for ministry.

Theories of Biblical Preaching
This course builds upon the principles learned in Foundations of Biblical Preaching, leading students to a deeper understanding of the history and theology of preaching, various sermon forms, the significance of and methods for developing a sermon series, and the application of Scripture to listeners’ lives.

Strategies of Student Ministry
This course focuses on strategies to minister effectively to adolescents. This course introduces strategies, programs, ministries, and leadership skills necessary for effective spiritual development of students. A practicum is a part of this course.

Ministry Leadership Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual ministry contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various ministry tasks, observe ministry situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop the skills they need for ministry.

Sports Ministry Models
This course begins with a historical overview of the use of sports in Christian evangelism and discipleship (e.g. athletic metaphors of the Apostle Paul, the “Muscular Christianity” of the Victorian era, and the contemporary Sports Ministry movement), along with biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations for sports ministry (a theology of competition, victory, unity, character formation, and sportsmanship). Students then explore a variety of proven methods and models for using sports to share Christ with youth and adults (church leagues, sports mission trips, training camps, and clinics). Successful sports ministry programs serve as case studies providing ideas, lessons, and inspiration for their own outreach efforts. Participants learn about resources and organizations that promote sports ministry (including the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes), as well as professional opportunities in the field.

Legal, Ethical, & Professional Standards for Sports Professionals
This course focuses on legal, ethical, and professional standards for sports professionals. It gives attention to issues related to church, school, and community settings.

Choose one of the following:
Essentials of Strength Training & Conditioning
Health & Fitness Testing, Evaluation, & Prescription
Introduction to Coaching
Organization & Administration of Athletic Programs
Principles of Sports Marketing

Foundations of Student and Children’s Ministry
This course focuses on the foundations of next-generation ministry including a theology of children’s and student ministry, child & student development, understanding culture and its implications for ministry with young people, and the foundations for developing lesson plans to teach both children’s and students.

Theories of Family Ministry
This course will focus on developing a multi-generational approach to ministry. Theology and theories of family ministry will be explored including family systems theory, family ministry models, and best practices for ministry to the whole family.

Ministry Leadership Internship
This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual ministry contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various ministry tasks, observe ministry situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop the skills they need for ministry.

Strategies for Student Ministry
This course focuses on strategies to minister effectively to adolescents. This course introduces strategies, programs, ministries, and leadership skills necessary for the effective spiritual development of students. A practicum is a part of this course.

Students choosing the Customizable concentration can choose any three classes plus an internship from the list of classes in the other Ministry Leadership concentrations.