Educational Ministries (EM)
EM 5110 Educational Ministry - 2 Hours
This course assists ministry leaders in understanding and functioning as practitioners who lead God's people toward maturity in Christ. Topics include: educational foundations and frameworks, teaching and learning, curriculum development, whole life discipleship, as well as generational and intergenerational ministries.
EM 5125 Teaching and Learning - 2 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 5510 Christian Formation & Journey - 1-2 Hours
This course focuses on 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 the Church - 1-2 Hours
This course 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 6000 Current Topics in Educational Ministries - 1-4 Hours
Select and specialized topics relevant to educational ministry.
EM 6110 Christian Leadership - 2 Hours
This course explores the theory and practice of Christian leadership through biblical, theological, and social science foundations. Topics include: developing the character and competency of leaders, strengthening contextual awareness in leading, fostering collaborative teams, leading change, managing conflict, and cultivating a life-giving systems approach to organizations.
EM 6260 Small Group Ministry in the Church - 1-2 Hours
This course examines 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 - 1-2 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 - 1-2 Hours
This course 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 - 1-2 Hours
This course discusses 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 - 1-2 Hours
This course prepares 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 - 1-2 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.