Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Leadership

An introduction to the theory and practice of New Testament exegesis, the tools and methods of biblical research, and the academic writing process. Students must complete this course as the first course in the graduate program in New Testament.

This course introduces students to the concept, process, and practice of spiritual formation. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination of and the practice of classical spiritual disciplines and other devotional practices. The purpose is to help students with their own spiritual formation as they prepare to lead others. This 3-credit course is taken in a one-week residence with cohort members. Additional online pre- and post-course assignments are required.

The purpose of this course is to examine the varieties of spiritual and devotional movements throughout the history of Christianity. The strengths and weaknesses of these movements are explored with the intent of appreciating the role of history and tradition in spiritual formation and applying valid spiritual principles to contemporary practice in individual and corporate contexts.

This course prepares students to provide opportunities for the spiritual formation of churches through their preaching and teaching. Students learn to focus on their own spiritual formation as a basis for the ministry of the Word, assess a congregation’s spiritual condition, determine how congregations develop spiritually, and design specific preaching and teaching methodologies that effectively shape corporate and individual spiritual formation.