Pastoral Theology (PT)
PT 5090 Field Education - 0 Hours
Field-based ministry experience is vital to the development of Trinity students. Field education experiences are an opportunity to integrate academic work with practical ministry experience. All field education experiences are mentored experiences. Mentoring provides an opportunity to invest in the next generation of Christian leaders and ministries are enriched by having a student serve in a church or parachurch setting. Students are required to complete 40-45 hours of service (3-5 hours per week of ministry for a thirteen-week semester) for each Field Education course. Contact the Office of Supervised Ministry for orientation materials and details on fulfillment requirements. Field Education may be taken as an elective in any master?s program by students who want to reflect on the pastoral implications of their academic work. Repeatable indefinitely. Credit/No Credit.
PT 5100 Spiritual Formation for Ministry - 2 Hours
For fruitful Christian ministry, it is vital both to know oneself and to know God. This course helps students gain a biblical-theological understanding of how one grows in the knowledge and grace of God through Christ. This course also helps students understand themselves better so as to reflect on their vocational goals. Specifically, students will : 1) understand and engage in a biblical-theology of spiritual formation and sanctification centered on the "means of grace," 2) explore the importance of self-care in ministry in regard to oneself and one's family, 3) with the help of assessment instruments and a personal narrative, reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses and personalities as they pertain to vocational ministry and, 4) develop a Personal and Professional Development Plan. Should be taken during first or second semester of enrollment. A fee for assessments will be charged for this course.
PT 5150 Introduction to Church Planting - 3 Hours
This course will provide the student with an overview of the theology, theory, and practice of a church-planting ministry. Special attention will be given to a model of evangelism for church planting, to the Pauline cycle, and to contemporary models of church planting. A preliminary assessment component for church planters is also included.
PT 5155 Church Planting Boot Camp - 3 Hours
Church Planting Bootcamp provides an introduction to the major start-up issues the planter faces. The objective is to provide a theological foundation and practical ministry skills that will enable the planter to start healthy, growing, reproducing churches. Four stages of church planting: preparation, conception, development, and birth stage are explored. Offered each May.
PT 6000 Current Studies in Pastoral Theology - 1-3 Hours
Topics selected deal with significant issues related to pastoral theology.
PT 6155 Advanced Church Planting - 2 Hours
Students will investigate church planting from a practitioner's point of view. Particular attention will be given to leadership styles and skills, recruitment and training of leaders, and the integration of church growth principles with the practice of church planting. Prerequisite: PT 5150.
PT 6300 Intro to Chaplain Ministries - 2 Hours
The course will assist participants in exploring and evaluating various chaplaincy options as full or part-time ministry vocations. Though primary emphasis will be given to military and institutional chaplaincies (hospital, hospice, prison, etc.), other options will also be discussed including corporate, law enforcement, National Park, university, and Civil Air Patrol.
PT 6500 Money and Ministry - 2-3 Hours
This course helps students, ministry staff and pastors grow in sensitivity and knowledge about how to navigate financial challenges common in a variety of ministry settings. The course is designed to be flexible and developmental in nature, since each participant will come to the course with varying levels of financial knowledge, experience, and competency. The goal is to build upon the different foundations each participant will be bringing to the course, and tailor assignments in a variety of ways to help each participant grow in understanding and wisdom.
PT 7225 The Essence of Biblical Leadership - 2 Hours
In recent years the issue of leadership has occupied a great deal of our thinking and attention. There is no shortage of resources and seminars on the subject. To be sure, there needs to be the infusion of fresh, godly, biblical leadership who are filled with the compassion of Christ and who are committed to advancing His Cause. But what is distinctively Christian leadership? What does the Bible teach about leadership? What is the relationship between leadership and our effectiveness in ministry? These and other questions will be addressed in the course.
PT 7250 Christian Worship and Pastoral Practices - 3 Hours
An introduction to Christian worship and the practices of pastoral ministry particularly in the liturgical leadership and pastoral care of the church. The course includes attention to the biblical theology and history of Christian worship, an examination of the interplay between worship and culture, worship styles, worship planning and leadership. The course is designed to: 1) equip students with a biblical theological and historical understanding of Christian worship, 2) develop skills in planning and leading Christian worship that is biblically faithful and culturally engaging, 3) develop basic competency in engaging in select pastoral practices within the church, 4) gain intercultural skill in pastoral practices by better understanding a cultural / context different than their own. Prerequisite; PT 5100.
PT 7410 Denominational History & Polity - 1 Hour
Designed for students seeking a greater understanding of, or anticipating possible placement within, a particular Christian denomination. Attention paid to history, polity, doctrine, missionary outreach, and current trends. This is an independent study course, enabling the student to work with a pastor/ administrator from, and study the history and polity of, a denomination other than the EFCA. To register for course, the student must contact the professor of record to receive clearance. Before registering, the student must select a denominational representative, and the representative must be approved by the professor of record according to TEDS standards for supervision. This class may be taken as an alternative to PT 7412 Comparative Denominational Reading Course, or PT 7415 EFCA History and Polity. Offered every semester.
PT 7412 Comparative Denominational - 1 Hour
Designed for students seeking a greater understanding of two denominations in order to explore and envision how God might use them to serve in ministry, by possibly aligning with one of them. This is an independent study course with attention paid to history, polity, doctrine, missionary outreach, and current trends. To register for course, the student must contact the professor of record to receive clearance to register. Before registering, the student must select two denominations and submit a proposed reading list for comparing them. This class may be taken as an alternative to PT 7410 Denominational History and Polity Reading Course, or PT 7415 EFCA History and Polity. Offered every semester.
PT 7415 Evangelical Free Church History and Polity - 1 Hour
Designed for students seeking a greater understanding of the EFCA or anticipating possible placement within the denomination. Attention paid to history, polity, doctrine, missionary outreach, and current trends. Students are challenged to consider these distinctives in relation to their own concepts of ministry context and potential. Offered fall and spring.
PT 7440 Seminar for Placement - 1 Hour
Seminar designed for senior students who will be seeking placement in various local church ministries. Intended to help students present themselves for greatest possible consideration by prospective churches with an understanding of evaluating appropriate fit in particular ministry settings for long-term fruitfulness. Particular attention paid to ministry transitions and the candidating process. Recommended for students desiring to use the services of the Placement Office. No ThM credit.
PT 7450 Urban Ministry Practicum I - 3 Hours
Focus: urban church education. A practicum that aims to develop skills in structuring Christian education curricula for a particular urban church setting. Opportunities for the student to acquire or increase practical experience and skill in working in, or restructuring, such areas as Sunday school evaluation, curriculum evaluation and selection, and adult education programming with the unique opportunities and problems of the city in mind. Enrollment limited to MA in UM students. Offered only at the South Chicago Regional Center.
PT 7451 Urban Ministry Practicum II - 3 Hours
Focus: organization and administration of the urban programs of the church. A practicum that aims to develop increased skills in management, leadership, and development of leaders. Special attention given to practical organizational and administrative problems in an urban church setting. Enrollment limited to MA in UM students. Offered only at the South Chicago Regional Center.
PT 7452 Urban Ministry Practicum III - 3 Hours
Focus: theology of urban ministries. A practicum that aims to help students develop and reflect upon doctrinal, philosophical, and practical bases for functioning effectively in the city. Enrollment limited to MA in UM students. Offered only at the South Chicago Regional Center.
PT 7471 Urban Ministry Project Design/Research - 3 Hours
Research and design for professional projects involving pastoral ministry and outreach in an urban context. Includes a careful statement of specific project activities, measurable objectives, and evaluation procedures. Prerequisite: completion of all classroom studies in the MA in UM. Offered only at the South Chicago Regional Center.
PT 7472 Urban Ministry Project Report - 3 Hours
Implementation of the project designed in PT 7471, including adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of participants. Prerequisite: PT 7471. Offered only at the South Chicago Regional Center.
PT 7481 Internship I - 2-3 Hours
The internship is a guided ministry experience designed for the formation of pastoral identity under the guidance of ministry mentors and TEDS faculty. Interns are supervised in a ministry context by qualified internship mentors approved and trained by the Office of Supervised Ministries. The office and TEDS faculty from various departments provide formative interactions with interns individually, through written assignments, and through the leading of an Internship Huddle. The huddle includes student discussion with fellow interns and TEDS faculty. Internship seminars touch on integrative topics crucial to ministerial formation and practice. This course is the first internship experience for MDiv students in the Church and Parachurch track (may be taken for 2 or 3 hours; 100 hours of field experience required per credit hour) and the only internship option for those in the Academic Track (must be taken for 3 hours). Students enrolled in 2 or more hours during any semester of Internship are granted half-time academic status. Students enrolled in 3 or more credit hours during any semester of internship are granted full-time academic status. Prerequisites: approval from the Director of Supervised Ministries.
PT 7482 Internship II - 2-3 Hours
This course is the second internship experience for MDiv students in the Church and Parachurch track (may be taken for 2 or 3 hours). The course provides an expansion of the student's ministry experience, mentoring from qualified practitioners, and theological reflection in a huddle experience with other interns and faculty. One hundred hours of field experience are required per credit hour over a 13-week semester (15 hours per week for 2 hours of academic credit and 23 hours per week for 3 hours of academic credit). This course requires a continuation of the same ministry site and mentor as PT 7481 unless granted an exception by the Director of Supervised Ministries. Students enrolled in 2 hours during any semester of Internship are granted half-time academic status. Students enrolled in 3 or more credit hours during any semester of internship are granted full-time academic status. Prerequisite: PT 7481.
PT 7483 Internship III - 1-2 Hours
This course is for Church and Parachurch track MDiv students fulfilling their Internship requirements over three semesters. It is normally fulfilled in the same ministry setting where the students completed their prerequisite PT 7481 and PT 7482 Internships. It can only be fulfilled in a different ministry setting than the PT 7481 and PT 7482 ministry if permission has been granted by the Director of Supervised Ministries. Students enrolled in 2 or more hours during any semester of Internship are granted half-time academics status. Prerequisites: PT 7481, PT 7482.
PT 7484 Intensive Internship - 6 Hours
This course is for Church and Parachurch track MDiv students fulfilling their entire six hours of internship requirements in one semester. This option is for extraordinary cases only and requires approval from the Director of Supervised Ministries. Students will work in a single ministry setting for 45-50 hours per week for 13-15 weeks. Students enrolled in 3 or more credit hours during any semester of Internship are granted full-time academic status. Prerequisites: approval from the Director of Supervised Ministries.
PT 7501 Guided Research - 1-4 Hours
Independent research on an approved selected topic under a faculty member in the department bearing the course prefix. 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.
PT 7710 Maintaining Unity & Purity in the Church - 3 Hours
This course explores the nature of the unity of the church and its grounding in the triune nature of God and his reconciling work in Christ. Specifically addressed are issues of unity between churches (ecumenicity); multiethnic, intergenerational, socio-economic, and gender unity in the church; and doctrinal and moral dimensions of the unity of the church.
PT 7720 Perseverance, Assurance & Ministry - 3 Hours
This course is a study of the soteriological issues of the perseverance of the saints and the assurance of salvation and their impact on pastoral ministry. Topics to be considered will include biblical and theological frameworks for understanding these doctrines, the goal of pastoral ministry in light of these doctrines, preaching, especially from the warning passages of Scripture, pastoral care, especially in times of suffering, dealing with doubt, discipleship of believers at various points in their spiritual journeys, and evangelism and the offer of assurance.
PT 7722 Developing a Healthy Congregational Culture - 2 Hours
This course will explore a topic that is critical in the life of the church and yet is often overlooked: the formation of a congregational culture. In various ways, congregational culture impacts the shaping of the identity, mission, and spiritual formation of all local churches. However, the formation of the congregational culture becomes even more critical when a congregation is facing the challenge of forming or maintaining generational, ethnic, or socio-economic class diversity. In this course, we will seek to understand what congregational culture is, why it is so essential in the formation of a healthy church, and how it is formed.
PT 7724 Ministry in Under-Resourced Communities - 3 Hours
This course aims to equip students with biblical motivation and strategies for serving those who are in need in their communities. There are three course objectives, each of which involves the student developing a desire and ability to answer effectively the following three questions: (1) Do Christians and their churches have a responsibility to help meet not only the spiritual but also the material (social, economic, political) needs of people? (2) How can Christians respond to particular contemporary challenges such as those posed by family breakdown, the media, business, racism and poverty? (3) What means of structural change can be pursued by Christians today?.
PT 7820 Developing Asian American Min - 2 Hours
Given the Asian American church's unique socio-cultural setting and the particular set of challenges it faces, how should it care for its people and carry out its mission to the world? This course will examine the Asian American church experience from historical, sociological, and theological perspectives and then explore some of the models/approaches of ministry that might be appropriate for this particular context.
PT 7842 Understanding the Urban World - 2 Hours
The main focus of the course will be on modern and postmodern patterns of urbanization. Urban systems will be analyzed in their metropolitan as well as global contexts, and special attention will be given to the social, cultural, and economic restructurings that are taking place within the city. The student will be continually challenged to reflect on the unique ministry and mission implications that the urban context poses for the whole church.
PT 7848 Ministry of the Urban Church - 2 Hours
Through the lens of a biblical understanding of the church and its purposes, this course will examine the urban environment, with focused attention on the central city, the poor, and ethnic/minority communities as a context for ministry. The special needs in these contexts will be examined and related to the ministry challenge of the local church. The ministry task of the local church will in turn be examined in terms of the pastoral leadership role, including the personal dimensions of the minister's life and preparation, as well as the actual practice of ministry.
PT 7860 Social & Cultural Exegesis - 2-3 Hours
This course seeks to equip the student to critically analyze the social and cultural context of today's changing world from a biblical and theologically informed perspective. Special attention will be given to the social processes that have historically shaped our culture, from the post-1800s urbanization to postmodernism. The course will then seek to help the student to understand the dialectic relationship between the church and its surrounding culture/society and the church's prophetic call to be a change-producing agent.
PT 7870 Ministry of Mercy & Justice - 2 Hours
To equip students with biblical motivation and strategies for serving those who are in need in their communities. There are three course objectives, each of which involves the student developing a desire and ability to answer effectively the following three questions: (1) Do Christians have a responsibility to help meet not only the spiritual but also the material (social, economic, political) needs of people? (2) What means of structural change, if any, are allowable and most appropriate for Christians today? (3) How can Christians respond to particular contemporary challenges such as those posed by family breakdown, the media, business, racism and poverty?.
PT 7977 ThM Comprehensive Exam - 1 Hour
A department-specific major comprehensive exam required in some ThM concentrations. Registration should be completed at the beginning of the semester for the regularly scheduled exam date later that semester. Credit is posted when the exam is passed; No Credit if the exam is failed or not completed.
PT 8000 Current Issues - 2-3 Hours
Seminar discussion and advanced individual research on significant issues in pastoral theology.
PT 8980 ThM Major Research Paper - 0-1 Hours
ThM participants completing the two capstone research paper option must register for PT 8980 in their department concurrent with registration for the advanced elective course in which they are writing a ThM capstone research paper. Paper parameters are found in the Academic Handbook and paper objectives are specifically articulated in consultation with the faculty member on the online Capstone Proposal Form. Registration occurs twice at the same time as registration for the course, once for each paper. Credit / No Credit. (Both the course and the paper must be graded 'C'- or better to receive credit for the paper.)
PT 8985 ThM Thesis - 0-3 Hours
ThM thesis writers register for PT 8985 in the department of their concentration. Prerequisite: Approved thesis proposal on file in the Dean's Office and other department-specific prerequisites. Counts as full-time academic status. (35 hours of academic work per week.) Letter grade or Credit / No Credit as arranged with the department.
PT 8986 ThM Thesis Extension - 0 Hours
A total of three semesters extension for PT 8986 may be granted when progress is being made on the thesis. Extension fee when not enrolled in other courses. Counts as full-time academic status for the first semester, quarter time thereafter. No Credit.