Educational Ministries (EM)
EM 5100 Educational Ministries and Leadership - 3 Hours
Educational Ministries and Leadership explores the equipping of educational and other church leaders through teaching and learning, curriculum development, discipleship, and team building as well as generational and intergenerational ministries with children, youth, emerging adults, adults, and aging adults. The course will help ministry leaders understand and function in their role as practitioners leading God's people toward maturity in Christ. Students will gain core educational and leadership competencies informed by biblical theology, a sound understanding of the human person, context, and theory. Required for MDiv students. Offered fall and spring. Available online.
EM 5125 Teaching and Learning - 2-3 Hours
This course examines how Christian teachers can deepen their conceptual understanding and educational skills as they communicate Gospel teaching in a variety of contexts. Topics addressed include maturing in Christ as a Christian teacher, developmental learning theories, teaching strategies, teaching the Bible, evaluation tools, teaching teachers, and the roles of both the teacher and the learner during the teaching and learning process. Available online.
EM 5200 Educational Ministries - 2 Hours
Educational Ministries explores the equipping of educational and other church leaders through teaching and learning, curriculum development, discipleship, and team building as well as generational and intergenerational ministries with children, youth, emerging adults, adults, and aging adults.ÿThe course willÿhelp ministry leaders understand and function in their role as practitioners leading God's people toward maturity in Christ.ÿStudents will gain core educational and leadership competencies informed by biblical theology, a sound understanding of the human person, context, and theory. Offered concurrently with EM 5100. Required for MA in EM students who should also register for EM 5210 during the same semester. May be substituted for EM 5100 when also taken with EM 5210. Offered fall and spring.
EM 5210 Christian Leadership and Administration - 2-3 Hours
What is a Christian leader? What is Christian administration? How does one lead in a system context whether church or other organization? The course will survey leadership history and theories, the character of the leader, and topics such as teams, communication, power, conflict, change, ethics, administration, and mentoring. Case studies will be used to assist participants in applying leadership theory to practice. Depending on the mode, this class is offered for one, two, or three hours. Offered concurrently with EM 5100 in the fall with additional meeting times. Required for MA in EM students who should also register for EM 5200 during the same semester. May be substituted for EM 5100 when also taken with EM 5200. Offered fall and spring. Available online.
EM 5510 Christian Formation & Journey - 2 Hours
An interactive exploration of the process of spiritual growth in the life of the believer, focusing on how the church has understood Christian spirituality and the process of Christ being formed in the believer. Special attention is given to the nature of the spiritual journey of the believer and the kind of educational interventions that are likely to enable spiritual growth in the people of God.
EM 5541 Youth and Emerging Adults in Congregations - 3 Hours
Youth and Emerging Adults in Congregations explores the equipping of leaders of Youth ages 11-18 and Emerging Adults ages 19-29. Biblical, educational, and philosophical foundations of holistic ministries in the church are explored. Research in youth culture, formative needs, competencies, adaptable skills, frameworks, and approaches needed for youth and emerging adult engagement will be addressed. Participants will gain core insights and develop personal practice for contextually ministering to youth and emerging adults enabling experiences of flourishing, connection, and belonging with and within the church. Available online.
EM 5560 Adults in Congregations - 2-3 Hours
A survey of adult development and generational differences, adult learning processes, and the ministry perspectives and structures necessary to assist Christian adults to progress toward maturity in a church or parachurch context.
EM 5576 Marriage & Family Enrichment - 2-3 Hours
Study of marriage and family from theological and social science viewpoints with a view to enriching them through methods and strategies of local church ministry. Students have the option of choosing projects to enrich their own marriage and family life or to prepare for marriage.
EM 6000 Current Topics in Educational Ministries - 1-4 Hours
Select and specialized topics relevant to educational ministry.
EM 6100 Intergenerational Ministry in the Church - 3 Hours
The course design will enable participants to develop an informed approach to ministry in the local church that builds bridges across generations. Themes in the course include intergenerational ministry in biblical and theological perspective; developmental and cultural issues in intergenerational ministry; learning and worship engaging the entire faith community; and service across the generations. Available online.
EM 6260 Small Group Ministry in the Church - 2-3 Hours
An examination of the biblical and theological foundations of small group ministry, the role of groups in spiritual formation, strategies for building group ministry in a local church, developing group dynamics, and the role and training of group leaders in guiding an effective group meeting.
EM 6265 Building Ministry Teams - 2-3 Hours
This course focuses on the role, effectiveness, structure, leadership, and impact of highly functioning teams in the church. Emphasis will be placed on team design, decision-making, mission, relationships, the role of the team in the larger organization, assessing team effectiveness and performance, and team leadership. Offered on a two-year rotation.
EM 6270 Building Community in the Church - 2-3 Hours
Focuses on building a culture of community in the local church. Includes having a basic theology of community, and an examination of existing models for building the community life of a congregation, including small group models, missional communities, classes, geography-based strategies, and medium-sized gatherings. Offered on a two-year rotation.
EM 6275 Developing Healthy Spiritual Leaders - 2-3 Hours
Participants will learn strategies and practices for developing healthy spiritual leaders, and will explore various leadership development strategies used by churches and other organizations. Offered on a two-year rotation. A retreat fee will be assessed.
EM 6500 Curriculum Development - 3 Hours
This course will prepare students to develop individual lessons and coherent curriculum products. Students will explore the application of curriculum theory and the learning sciences to curriculum development. While the skills and frameworks will be broadly applicable, the course will focus on the development of curriculum to support the mission of the church. Available online.
EM 7110 Spiritual Formation in the Family - 3 Hours
Spiritual Formation in the Family explores how the family environment is a fertile place of faith formation for all ages. Topics include exploring contemporary family structures, a biblical vision for family faith formation, the strategic partnership between church and home, and various methods and approaches for family faith formation. A special emphasis will include connecting with families through digital media and methods. Available online.
EM 7465 MA in EM Capstone - 0-4 Hours
The MA in EM Capstone is developed in consultation with the EM faculty adviser and may be a portfolio, internship, or applied ministry experience. Contact your EM faculty adviser for further details.
EM 7466 MA in EM Capstone Extension - 0 Hours
A one-semester extension for EM 7465. Enrollment with consent of the faculty member of record. Extension fee when not enrolled in other courses. May not be repeated. No credit.
EM 7501 Guided Research - 1-4 Hours
Independent research on an approved selected topic under a faculty member in the Educational Ministries Department. May be repeated for credit as the subject matter changes. Available in all departments. Letter grade or Credit / No Credit as arranged with faculty member.