Church Ministries

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Donald A. Cheyney, M.Div., Chair

Professor

Associate Professor

Matthew M. McAlack, Th.M.

Assistant Professor

Part-time Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

The Department of Church Ministries provides a broad range of professional programs designed to prepare the student for church and church-related ministries. The department offers programs in the following fields of study: Pastoral Ministries, Pre-Seminary, Youth Ministries, Missions, Discipleship Counseling, Camping, Children’s Ministries, and an interdisciplinary program.

Welcome

If you are considering a career in church ministries or simply desire to serve the Lord skillfully in the local church, one of the Church Ministries programs will likely meet your needs. This department offers a variety of ministry specialties taught by skilled ministry veterans. Years of hands-on ministry experience; a passion to see students know, love, and understand the local church; and solid academic credentials are hallmarks of our faculty.

The Goal

God has called all believers to a life of service to Himself and to others. The Department of Church Ministries exists to lay a foundation in equipping students for a lifetime of service in and through the Church. Biblical knowledge is coupled with development of practical ministry skills in an area of specialization. Each specialty enablea a student to think biblically about ministry and then apply that knowledge appropriately and effectively.

1. The student will be able to articulate a biblical understanding of the local church.
2. The student will be able to apply biblical thinking to the general issues relating to ministry, leadership, and management.
3. The student will be able to use specialized skills in his/her chosen ministry.
4. The student will be able to minister in a culturally sensitive way.
5. The student will mature in his/her relationship with God, self, and others.

Specialty Areas

The Pastoral and Pre-Seminary programs are designed to prepare a student for the pastorate, pastoral staff positions and/or graduate study. Both programs explore the biblical model and principles of ministry, as well as practical and business aspects confronting the local pastor. Core courses include: Nature and Purpose of the Local Church, Ministry Leadership and Management, Pastoral Ministry, Counseling, Homiletics, and a Pastoral Internship.

The Youth Ministry program is designed for students pursuing ministry with teenagers either in a local church or para-church context. The program enables a student to develop a philosophy of youth ministry that is biblically based and culturally sensitive. There is a strong emphasis on teaching methodologies and programming strategies. Core courses include: Youth Culture, Philosophy of Youth Ministry, Effective Bible Teaching, Organization and Administration in Youth Ministry, Ministering to Families with Youth, and aYouth Internship.

The Missions program is designed for students pursuing ministry in a cross-cultural context both within the United States and around the world. The program emphasizes the intercultural competencies necessary to build relationships with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Core courses include: Biblical and Historical Foundations of Missions, Missionary Life and Work, Church Planting and Development, Intercultural Communication, and a professional internship in another culture.

The Discipleship Counseling program is designed for students desiring a ministry in counseling. This program should be considered as a preparatory course of study. The course work includes counseling in the local church context and psychology. Core courses include: Counseling Ministry, Applied Biblical Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Moral and Legal Issues in Christian Counseling, General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Human Development, and Educational Psychology. A Dual-Level degree program allows students to receive their B.S. in Bible degree and an M.S. in Christian Counseling degree in 5 to 5 1/2 years. A limited number of students are admitted to this program each year.

Other specialized programs are available in: Church Ministries Interdisciplinary, Camping, and Children’s Ministries.

Students who have graduated from these programs have found career opportunities as pastors, associate pastors, youth ministers, Christian education directors, missionaries, church planters, counselors, evangelists, sports ministry directors, and children’s workers as well as in camping ministries. Many go on to seminary or graduate school.

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