Study Areas

 

Christian Ministry

  • CM 600 Spiritual Formation for Ministry

    An exploration of the theology of Christian life and spiritual formation through attention to the biblical theme of union with Christ. Students will also examine the formation of Christian character, as well as the rationale for and practice of spiritual disciplines. (When this course is taken on campus, it culminates in a 24-hour retreat.)

  • CM 601 Philosophy and Foundation for Ministry

    An introduction to understanding and developing a biblical theology or philosophy of ministry. This course will explore the biblical foundations of ministry, the identification of calling, the development of mission, vision and core values statements and the role of ministry in the midst of rapid and challenging changes in church and societal cultures.

  • CM 608 Experiential Ministry: MCM and MDiv

    This course is an extended ministry experience under the direction of a church or para-church mentor that is designed to further the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry. The student may pursue this ministry experience within his/her own home church/organization or seek placement in a new ministry context. This course requires direct ministry experience and typically is taken over at least two semesters of study (eight months), with the preference being ten months, if possible. Note: CM 608 and CM 609 are designed to be taken together for a total of 6 credit hours.

  • CM 609 Experiential Ministry: MCM and MDiv

    This course is an extended ministry experience under the direction of a church or para-church mentor that is designed to further the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry. The student may pursue this ministry experience within his/her own home church/organization or seek placement in a new ministry context. This course requires direct ministry experience and typically is taken over at least two semesters of study (eight months), with the preference being ten months, if possible. Note: CM 608 and CM 609 are designed to be taken together for a total of 6 credit hours.

  • CM 612 Spiritual Formation in Ministry

    An exploration of the theology of Christian life and spiritual formation through attention to the biblical theme of union with Christ. Students will also examine the formation of Christian character, as well as the rationale for and practice of spiritual disciplines. This course will culminate in a 24-hour spiritual retreat. Note: Only available through the CYME (Coalition for Youth Ministry Excellence) Extension Site in Kelowna, BC. See Master of Youth Ministry program details for further information.

  • CM 615 Child, Church, and Mission

    This course provides an overview of holistic child development, the Biblical foundations for children's ministries, the work of child development, the roles and responsibilities of the church in caring for needy children, and the place of children's ministries as strategies and resources for mission. This course develops awareness of contemporary church and mission issues and strategies in order to understand how ministries to children fit into this broader picture, and helps the students grasp the global and eternal significance of their ministries.

  • CM 621 Theology of Mission and Evangelism

    An exploration of some recent thinking about both the centrality and the nature of mission in the teaching of the Scriptures, and an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of a biblically faithful theology of mission for the church's obedience to Christ in our contemporary world. Cross-listed: THEO 621 Theology of Mission and Evangelism

  • CM 626 Teaching and Learning for Discipleship

    This course provides a vision for Christian Education in the life and mission of the church and seeks to understand some of its major challenges today. Drawing from key passages in scripture and the wider field of educational theory, learners will develop a biblical theology for CE and discipleship, be familiar with some key pedagogical theorists, reflect on the character of the teacher, study Jesus' model of teaching, experiment with and evaluate different creative teaching approaches. The goal is to build strong theological and educational foundations for effective CE and discipleship in church and mission.

  • CM 632 Homiletics

    An exploration of a theology of preaching and the preparation and delivery of biblical sermons from the epistles and poetic texts. Students are guided through the foundational disciplines of choosing, exegeting, and preaching a biblical passage.

  • CM 641 Theology of Christian Worship

    This course explores a theological understanding of worship as it relates to Christian practice over the past two millennia. Current worship trends in North American churches will be evaluated in light of this theological and historical perspective. Cross-listed: THEO 641 Theology of Christian Worship

  • CM 661 Issues in Ministry Leadership

    An indepth focus on a particular emphasis of Christian ministry. This leadership focus will vary from year to year. Cross-listed: LE 661 Issues in Ministry Leadership

  • CM 670 Heart of Canadian Methodism

    An examination of the historical roots and contemporary presence of the Methodist church and the Wesleyan tradition in Canada. This course may be offered as part of the ordination requirements of the Free Methodist Church in Canada.

  • CM 701 Pastoral Theology and Practice

    This course explores the many dimensions of pastoral ministry from a biblical standpoint, with the goal of equipping students to function effectively as pastoral leaders within the contemporary culture. This course covers issues such as planning, scheduling, dealing with the expectations of others, administering the sacraments, performing weddings and funerals, functioning effectively with church staff (paid and volunteer), handling conflict and criticism, avoiding burnout, and other day-to-day aspects of the ministry.

  • CM 704 Small Group Ministry

    This course examines the theory and practice of Christian community through small group ministries. Major types of small groups and church programming models are highlighted. Special attention is given to local church administrative requirements, leadership training, implementation difficulties and issues, and oversight requirements which enable such ministries to be fruitful over the long-term.

  • CM 708 Experiential Ministry: MCM and MDiv

    This course is an extended Experiential Ministry (EM) carried forward under the direction of a previous or new Ministry Mentor (MM) that is designed to further the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry. The student may pursue this ministry experience within his/her own home church/organization or seek placement in a new ministry context. This course requires direct ministry experience and typically is taken over at least two semesters of study (eight months), with the preference being ten months, if possible. Note: CM 708 and CM 709 are designed to be taken together for a total of 6 credit hours.

    Prerequisite: Completion of 6 credit hours of study in addition to the completion of CM 608/609 Experiential Ministry, as well as acceptance into the MCM or MDiv program.

  • CM 709 Experiential Ministry: MCM and MDiv

    This course is an extended Experiential Ministry (EM) carried forward under the direction of a previous or new Ministry Mentor (MM) that is designed to further the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective ministry. The student may pursue this ministry experience within his/her own home church/organization or seek placement in a new ministry context. This course requires direct ministry experience and typically is taken over at least two semesters of study (eight months), with the preference being ten months, if possible. Note: CM 708 and CM 709 are designed to be taken together for a total of 6 credit hours.

    Prerequisite: Completion of 6 credit hours of study in addition to the completion of CM 608/609 Experiential Ministry, as well as acceptance into the MCM or MDiv program.

  • CM 714 Multigenerational Ministry in the 21st Century

    An exploration of current sociological perspectives and the rapidly changing cultural views of North American family dynamics. The course places the family of today in its historical perspective and explores the variety of forms contemporary families have taken. Practical elements such as family communication, conflict resolution, spiritual growth, etc., are covered, with particular emphasis placed on the ministry implications of the changes being observed.

  • CM 720 Approaches in Supporting Clergy Well-Being

    This course will focus on the unique features of vocational and multi-vocational ministry and its impact on the spiritual, psychological, social, and physical well-being of the clergy person and their family members. This course will also consider how various caregivers, educators, and leaders can support and enhance clergy well-being, both before and after issues arise. Cross-listed: CO 720 Approaches in Supporting Clergy Well-Being

  • CM 730 Church Planting and Development

    An examination of biblical and theological rationales and principles for church planting. Students will interrogate the best practices and strategies needed for creating and nurturing new congregations.

  • CM 732 Advanced Preaching

    An investigation of recent sermon development models in order to add variety and creativity to biblical preaching ministries. Students will discuss recent trends and issues in preaching and will be guided in developing and practicing a basic theology of creativity, especially in relation to preaching.

    Prerequisite: CM 632 Homiletics (or approval of Program Coordinator). Students with credit for CM 835 Advanced Preaching may not take this course for credit.

  • CM 734 Dynamics of Small Church Ministry

    An exploration of the advantages, challenges, and opportunities present in small church ministry in both urban and rural settings. Students will develop a biblical ecclesiology that promotes effective small church ministry.

  • CM 736 Discipleship and Mentoring

    A comparison and evaluation of different models and strategies of biblical discipleship and mentoring. Students will explore individual, small group, and congregational discipleship and mentoring in relation to the process of sanctification as presented in the Scriptures.

  • CM 814 Ministry Issues in Contemporary Culture

    This course will appraise significant theological, missiological and methodological trends and shifts in evangelical ministry in North America. An examination and evaluation of current literature and models of evangelical church and parachurch ministry will also be included. Specific topics and methods of instruction will vary by the instructor's background and ministry expertise.

  • CM 819 Christian Ministry Specialty

    An indepth focus on a particular emphasis of Christian ministry. This ministry focus will vary from year to year.

  • CM 820 Preaching Specialty

    An indepth focus on a particular emphasis of preaching ministry. This focus will vary from year to year.

  • CM 832 Contemporary Issues in Preaching

    An exploration of a current issue in preaching as addressed by the Evangelical Homiletics Society in its annual conference in mid-October. Students will be guided in their interaction with the papers presented (whether they attend in person or access them from the EHS website). An Associate Membership in EHS is required.

    Prerequisite: CM 632 Homiletics (or approval of Program Coordinator)

  • CM 833 Preaching Lab

    An online cohort-based exploration of the issues relating to planning and delivering sermons in a local church context. The students will be guided in the processes involved in a comprehensive sermon plan, peer learning and congregational feedback mechanisms.

    Prerequisite: CM 632 Homiletics (or approval of the Program Coordinator)