Church Ministries

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Donald A. Cheyney, M.Div., Chair

Professor

Michael C. Dittman, D.Phil. 
Matthew M. McAlack, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

William J. Dunn, M.S.
James C. Meyer, Ed.D.

Part-time Faculty

Lisa M. Kuzma, M.S.
John C. O’Brien, Th.M.

Adjunct Faculty

K. Blair Benjamin, M.S.
Lynn Cacoilo, M.A. 
Cameron Garven, M.A.
Clarence A. Johnson, M.S. 
Sali Kaceli, B.S.
David J. Wiedis, J.D.

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, Pastoral Ministries: Pre-Seminary, Youth Ministries, Missions, Discipleship Counseling, Camping, Children’s Ministries, and an interdisciplinary program.

Students considering a career in church ministries or simply desiring to serve the Lord skillfully in the local church choose one of the Church Ministries programs. A variety of ministry specialties taught by skilled ministry veterans is offered. Years of hands-on ministry experience; a passion to help students know, love, and understand the local church; and solid academic credentials are hallmarks of the 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 service in and through the Church. Biblical knowledge is coupled with development of practical ministry skills in an area of specialization. Each specialty enables 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 Ministries and Pastoral Ministries: 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 challenges confronting the local pastor. Core courses include: Nature and Purpose of the Local Church, Ministry Leadership and Management, Pastoral Care, Church Adminstration Issues, Counseling, Homiletics, and a Pastoral Internship.

The Youth Ministries 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 for Youth Ministry, Effective Bible Teaching, Organization and Administration in Youth Ministry, Ministering to Families with Youth, Spiritual Formation and Disciple-Making Ministries, Computer Technology for Youth Ministry, Nature and Purpose of the Local Church, and a Youth 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: 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. Core courses include: Counseling Ministry, Applied Biblical Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Moral and Legal Issues in Christian Counseling, General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and Human Development. A Dual-Level degree program allows students to receive a 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, youth ministers, Christian education directors, missionaries, church planters, counselors, evangelists, children’s workers, and camp administrators. Many go on to seminary or graduate school.

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