Academic Catalog 2016-2017

Academic Programs

Certificate Programs

Certificate of Biblical Guidance
Certificate of Biblical Studies
Certificate of Christian Education
Certificate of Christian Leadership
Certificate of Family Ministry
Certificate of Outreach Ministry
Certificate of Worship Ministry

Diploma of Christian Ministry (DCM)
Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Local Pastor Continuing Education

Academic Programs

Certificate Programs

Each certificate program is a 24 credit course of study designed for men and women who have a desire to be servant leaders after the model of Christ by approaching ministry through a Christian worldview and a commitment to authentic discipleship. With the exception of the Certificate of Biblical Studies program, each program is designed to be completed in two years. The Certificate of Biblical Studies program may be completed in as little as three terms.

Each certificate program is available internationally in English and in Spanish to students who live within the United States and Canada. Students may enroll in a certificate program as early as their junior year of high school*.

*High school students should consider the time commitment before enrolling. Students will not be permitted to enroll in THE 201 until their senior year of high school.

Certificate of Biblical Guidance

The Certificate of Biblical Guidance program is designed for individuals who are gifted and active in compassion ministries.

Goal: Equip students to

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to compassion ministries as an outflow of biblical theology
interpret and apply scripture
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God and ministering in the context of a church community
evaluate and practice basic Christian counseling methods
identify common mental health issues and practices through which a Christian community can support good mental health
evaluate and implement models of ministering to individuals in the context of family

Courses:

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
FAM 301 Introduction to Family Ministry (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
LEA 301 Spiritual Formation & Ministry (4)
PSY 311 The Church & Mental Health (4)
PSY 321 Principles of Counseling (4)

Certificate of Biblical Studies

The Certificate of Biblical Studies program is designed for individuals who have a desire to explore the character of God through enriching their understanding of the Bible and theology.

A Certificate of Biblical Studies or its equivalent is the recommended certificate prerequisite option for the Diploma of Christian Ministry program and is also one of the educational requirements for a Local Pastor Certificate through the License and Credentials Committee of the NAMC.

Goals: Equip students to...

explain the basic teachings of each book of the Bible in their historical, geographic, and cultural contexts
interpret and apply scripture
integrate the principles and themes of Christian theology and CG7 doctrine into their interactions with God and the world
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God

Courses:

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (4)
BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
THE 201 Systematic Theology (4)
THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4)

Certificate of Christian Education

The Certificate of Christian Education program is designed for individuals who are gifted and active as Sabbath School teachers or Bible study leaders.

Goals: Equip students to…

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to Christian education as an outflow of biblical theology
explain the basic teachings of each book of the Bible in their historical, geographic, and cultural contexts
interpret and apply scripture
integrate the principles and themes of Christian theology and CG7 doctrine into their interactions with God and the world
identify instructional goals and implement effective teaching techniques for Christian educational settings

Courses:

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (4)
BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
CHE 301 Introduction to Christian Education (4)
THE 201 Systematic Theology (4)
THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4)

Certificate of Christian Leadership

The Certificate of Christian Leadership program is designed for individuals who are serving as local, district or national board member or lay leaders.

Goals: Equip students to…

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to Christian leadership as an outflow of biblical theology
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God and ministering in the context of a church community
integrate the principles and themes of Christian theology and CG7 doctrine into their interactions with God and the world
implement biblical principles of Christian leadership and basic management and supervisory skills
practice principles of church administration as they relate to leadership, polity, finance, and legal issues
discuss significant issues relating to Church of God (Seventh Day) history, polity, and contemporary church culture

Courses:

LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
LEA 301 Spiritual Formation & Ministry (4)
LEA 311 Leadership (4)
LEA 321 Ministry in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (4)
LEA 331 Church Administration (4)
THE 202 Introduction to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4)

Certificate of Family Ministry

The Certificate of Family Ministry program is designed for individuals who are gifted and active in ministry to Children, Youth, Young Adults, Women or Men.

Goals: Equip students to…

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to family ministry as an outflow of biblical theology
interpret and apply scripture
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God
identify common mental health issues and practices through which a Christian community can support good mental health
identify instructional goals and implement effective teaching techniques for Christian educational settings
evaluate and implement models of ministering to individuals in the context of family

Courses:

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
CHE 301 Introduction to Christian Education (4)
FAM 301 Introduction to Family Ministry (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
MIS 311 Evangelism & Discipleship (4)
PSY 311 The Church & Mental Health (4)

Certificate of Outreach Ministry

The Certificate of Outreach Ministry program is designed for individuals who are gifted and active in outreach ministries.

Goals: Equip students to…

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to outreach ministries as an outflow of biblical theology
interpret and apply scripture
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God
identify common mental health issues and practices through which a Christian community can support good mental health
effectively evaluate and implement models of evangelism and discipleship
evaluate and compare Christian and secular worldviews and their significance in evangelism and discipleship

Courses:

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
MIS 311 Evangelism & Discipleship (4)
PHI 311 Worldviews (4)
PSY 311 The Church & Mental Health (4)
WOA 311 Prayer Ministry (4)

Certificate of Worship Ministry

The Certificate of Worship Ministry program is designed for individuals who are gifted and active in music ministry or other worship arts.

Goals: Equip students to…

evaluate and adopt practical approaches to worship arts as an outflow of biblical theology
interpret and apply scripture
integrate the principles and themes of Christian theology into their interactions with God and the world
evaluate their calling and implement spiritual disciplines for the purpose of increasing their nearness to God

Courses:

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
LEA 301 Spiritual Formation & Ministry (4)
THE 201 Systematic Theology (4)
WOA 301 Introduction to Worship Arts (4)
WOA 311 Prayer Ministry (4)

Diploma of Christian Ministry (DCM)

Prerequisite: Any certificate program (24 credits)

The Diploma of Christian Ministry program is designed for individuals who are pursuing vocational or long-term service in ministry. A Diploma of Christian Ministry with a Pastoral Ministry Emphasis (or its equivalent) is one of the requirements for a candidate for a Ministerial License issued by the North American Ministerial Council of the Church of God (Seventh Day).

Biblical and Theological Studies (20 Credits)

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (4)
BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
THE 201 Systematic Theology (4)
THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4)

Christian Ministry (64 credits)

This component of the program allows students to choose courses which will be the most meaningful to their personal ministry focus. Students may earn an emphasis in a field by completing designated courses listed below.

Ministry in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (4 credits)

LEA 321 Ministry in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (4)

History of Christianity (4 credits)

HIS 321 History of Christianity (4)

Ministry Foundations (4 credits)

LEA 301 Spiritual Formation and Ministry (4)
OR
PAM 301 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (4)

Practicum (4 credits)

LEA 491 Ministry Practicum (4)
OR
PAM 491 Pastoral Ministry Practicum (4)

Christian Ministry Electives (48 credits)

Span a minimum of 6 of the following discipline areas: CHE, COM, FAM, LEA, MIS, PAM, PHI, PSY, THE, WOA.
A minimum of 24 credits earned through 300 and 400 level courses. Remaining credits must meet 100 level minimum.

Pastoral Ministry Emphasis

COM 341 Expository Preaching (4)
CHE 301 Introduction to Christian Education (4)
LEA 331 Church Administration (4)
MIS 311 Evangelism and Discipleship (4)
PAM 301 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (4)
PAM 491 Pastoral Ministry Practicum (4)
PSY 321 Principles of Counseling (4)
WOA 301 Introduction to Worship Arts (4)

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry

Prerequisite: LifeSpring Certificate and 96 credits of undergraduate studies

The B.A. in Christian Ministry is a degree completion program designed for individuals who are pursuing vocational or long-term service in ministry. A B.A. in Christian Ministry (or its equivalent) is one of the requirements for a minister licensed through the NAMC to elevate his documentation to ministerial credentials.

General Education (80 credits)

Arts and Humanities (12 Credits)

12 credits spanning each of the following disciplines: Philosophy, Literature, Fine Arts

Biblical and Theological Studies (20 Credits)

Communication (20 Credits)

20 credits spanning each of the following disciplines: Oral Communication, Composition/Writing, Foreign Language

Mathematics/Science (12 Credits)

12 credits spanning each of the following disciplines: Mathematics, Science, Computer Science

Social Science (16 Credits)

16 credits spanning a minimum of three of the following disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

General Electives (36 credits)

36 credits in any discipline of study (100 level minimum)

Christian Ministry (64 credits)

This component of the program allows students to choose courses which will be the most meaningful to their personal ministry focus. Students may earn a minor in a field by completing designated courses listed below.

Ministry in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (4 credits)

LEA 321 Ministry in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (4)

History of Christianity (4 credits)

HIS 321 History of Christianity (4)

Ministry Foundations (4 credits)

LEA 301 Spiritual Formation and Ministry (4)
OR
PAM 301 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (4)

Practicum (4 credits)

LEA 491 Ministry Practicum (4)
OR
PAM 491 Pastoral Ministry Practicum (4)

Christian Ministry Electives (48 credits)

48 credits spanning a minimum of 6 of the following disciplines: Christian Education, Communications, Family Ministry, Leadership, Missions, Pastoral Ministry, Philosophy, Psychology, Theology, Worship Arts
A minimum of 24 credits earned through 300 and 400 level courses. Remaining credits must meet 100 level minimum.

Pastoral Ministry Emphasis

*note: these courses count toward the above requirements for Ministry Foundations, Practicum, and Christian Ministry Electives

Local Pastor Continuing Education

The Local Pastor Continuing Education (LPCE) program is designed to assist Local Pastors in planning and tracking their continuing education requirements as set forth by the North American Ministerial Council.

Local Pastors are automatically pre-enrolled in the program and are given access to their LifeSpring Student Center account. View NAMC FAQ’s for more information.

LPCE students must submit a Program Completion Form no later than the last day of their final course of the Certificate of Biblical Studies program. The Program Completion form is available in the LifeSpring Student Center.

The NAMC continuing education requirements for Local Pastors are as follows:

Division of Local Pastors	Continuing Education Requirements	Timeline
Local Pastor Certificate granted prior to 2010 NAMC	Completion of the Certificate of Biblical Studies Completion of the first half of the Diploma of Christian Ministry Completion of the second half of the Diploma of Christian Ministry	2 years (beginning upon the next renewal of their LPC) 4 years (beginning upon the next renewal of their LPC) 6 years (beginning upon the next renewal of their LPC)
Local Pastor Certificate granted after 2010 NAMC	Completion of the first half of the Diploma of Christian Ministry Completion of the second half of the Diploma of Christian Ministry	2 years (beginning upon receipt of their LPC) 4 years (beginning upon receipt of their LPC)

More information is available in the Church Manual from the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day).