Pastoral Theology (PTH)
PTH 507 Small Group Ministry - 3 Units
Examines biblical and theological foundations for small group ministry and analyzes the role of groups in spiritual formation within the local church. Explores principles of group dynamics, leadership development, and organizational strategy while evaluating models for cultivating healthy Christian community. Integrates theological reflection with practical planning to prepare students to design and lead accountable, missionally oriented small group ministries.
PTH 509M Spiritual Formation III - 1 Unit
Continuation of the Spiritual Formation sequence with particular attention to vocation, character, and servant leadership in Christian life and ministry. Students examine biblical and theological perspectives on calling, spiritual maturity, and leadership, while engaging practices that foster self-awareness, discernment, and sustainable habits for ministry. The course emphasizes the integration of personal formation, life in community, and ongoing participation in the church for faithful and enduring Christian service.
PTH 510 Spiritual Formation - 1-2 Units
Explores biblical and theological foundations of spiritual formation and examines historical and contemporary understandings of Christian spirituality. Analyzes the processes of spiritual growth, the role of community in formation, and the integration of spiritual disciplines in personal and ministry contexts. Emphasizes critical reflection, theological coherence, and responsible leadership practices that foster mature Christian character and support the spiritual development of others.
PTH 510M Spiritual Formation I - 1 Unit
Introduction to biblical and historical foundations for spiritual formation in Christian life and ministry. Students engage major themes and practices from the Christian spiritual tradition, with attention to personal formation, life in community, and participation in the life of the church. The course emphasizes spiritual disciplines, self-awareness, relational health, and theological reflection that support integrated growth in life, study, and ministry.
PTH 511M Spiritual Formation II - 1 Unit
Continuation of the study and practice of spiritual formation with particular attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and Christian community. Students examine themes of character, relational health, and spiritual maturity as they engage practices of daily devotion, theological reflection, and ministry participation. The course emphasizes growth in self-awareness, communication, and faithful relationships in the contexts of family, church, and society.
PTH 518 Mission and Culture - 3 Units
Examines the relationship between Christian mission and cultural context by integrating theological, historical, and social-scientific perspectives. The course analyzes how cultures shape belief and practice and how the church engages diverse social, political, and religious environments in local and global settings. Students explore biblical and theological foundations of mission, historical patterns of cross-cultural witness, and contemporary challenges such as pluralism, secularization, migration, and globalization. Emphasis is placed on contextual analysis, cultural discernment, and the development of informed ministry practices responsive to complex cultural realities.
PTH 550 Formation Group - 0 Units
Cultivates holistic Christian formation through guided communal practices within theological education and ministry preparation. Integrates Scripture, theology, and historical reflection with sustained engagement in formative Christian practices, including prayer, worship, and disciplined attention to Scripture. Encourages reflective engagement with personal, vocational, cultural, and sociopolitical questions in light of Christian faith. Emphasizes relational formation through mutual accountability, shared discernment, encouragement, and service within a learning community. The course supports spiritual maturity, vocational clarity, and relational wisdom as integral dimensions of graduate theological formation.
PTH 560 Christian Worship - 3 Units
Introduces the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of Christian worship and surveys major expressions of corporate worship across Christian traditions. Examines core elements of worship while exploring the relationship between worship and culture. Emphasizes theological understanding, historical awareness, and foundational competencies for thoughtful participation in and planning of corporate worship within diverse congregational settings.
PTH 600 Pastoral Theology and Practice - 3 Units
Examines the theological foundations and core practices of pastoral ministry within the life of the church. Explores pastoral identity, spiritual care, worship leadership, and key ministerial responsibilities, including prayer, preaching, administration of the sacraments, and congregational shepherding. Integrates pastoral theology with practical engagement in ministry practices, attending to biblical, historical, and cultural dimensions. Emphasizes the formation of pastoral judgment and competence for faithful leadership in contemporary ecclesial contexts.
PTH 603 Introduction to Preaching - 3 Units
Examines the theological foundations and methodological practices of biblical preaching with emphasis on genre-sensitive preaching, sermon development, and effective delivery. Students integrate biblical and theological reflection, contextual awareness, and homiletical skills to develop sermons. The course includes in-class sermon presentations with structured peer and instructor evaluation to support growth in preaching competence. Prerequisite: BIB 505.
PTH 605 Pastoral Counselling - 3 Units
Examines pastoral counseling as an integral dimension of pastoral care and congregational shepherding. The course develops competencies in empathic listening, reflection, and discernment while addressing key pastoral counseling concerns such as crisis intervention, suicide prevention, premarital counseling, family systems dynamics, ethical practice, and appropriate referral. Students engage common mental health challenges encountered in ministry contexts, including depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and chronic mental illness. Emphasis is placed on experiential skill development and theological reflection on personal formation, relational systems, and emotional health within the life of the church.
PTH 613 Evangelism and Faith Formation - 3 Units
Examines biblical, theological, and practical foundations for evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual formation in contemporary ministry contexts. The course emphasizes personal spiritual formation and disciple-making. Students engage models of evangelism, pathways of discipleship, and practices that foster Christian maturity and mission within diverse and pluralistic settings. Attention is given to forming leaders who embody faithful presence, cultivate spiritual habits, and equip others to follow Jesus within local church and ministry contexts.
PTH 640 Topics: Worship - 3 Units
Examines focused themes in Christian worship through sustained theological, historical, and contextual study. Investigates particular movements, practices, or theological questions within diverse Christian traditions and cultural settings. Emphasizes critical evaluation, constructive theological reflection, and pastoral application in relation to contemporary ecclesial challenges. Specific topics vary by semester. Repeatable for credit with different focus.
PTH 650 Topics: Preaching - 3 Units
Examines advanced dimensions of Christian preaching through sustained theological, biblical, and contextual engagement. Develops deeper understanding of proclamation by integrating biblical interpretation, theological reflection, and pastoral responsibility within diverse ministry contexts. Emphasizes critical analysis, contextual discernment, and growth in homiletical judgment and practice. Specific areas of focus may vary by semester. Repeatable for credit with different focus. Prerequisite: PTH 603 or permission of instructor.
PTH 696 Preaching in Context - 3 Units
Examines strategies for proclaiming and applying the biblical message within particular ministry and cultural contexts. Students assess their own ministry settings and homiletical traditions, analyze contextual dynamics that shape preaching, and develop biblically faithful sermons that address specific congregational and cultural realities. Attention is given to theological reflection, contextualization, and the formulation of sermon applications that faithfully interpret Scripture while engaging contemporary audiences. Students prepare and deliver sermons demonstrating contextual awareness and pastoral sensitivity.
PTH 820 Topics: Advanced Pastoral Ministry - 1-3 Units
Advanced study of selected issues in pastoral ministry. Topics may include pastoral leadership, congregational health, ministry formation, spiritual care, conflict engagement, ecclesial identity, or contextual ministry practice. Emphasis is placed on theological reflection, critical analysis, and integrative ministry leadership. Topics vary by semester. Repeatable for credit with different focus.
PTH 850 Topics: Advanced Homiletics - 1-3 Units
Advanced study of homiletical theory and practice. This course explores specialized approaches to preaching, including theological method, rhetorical strategy, cultural engagement, and genre-specific proclamation. Students refine their theological depth, exegetical integration, and pastoral voice in preaching for diverse ministry contexts. Emphases vary by semester. Repeatable for credit with different focus. Prerequisite: PTH 603 or instructor permission.
PTH 860 Topics: Advanced Worship - 1-3 Units
Advanced theological and interdisciplinary research in Christian worship with sustained attention to liturgical theology, ecclesiology, culture, and formation. Examines primary sources, contemporary scholarship, and diverse global practices. Specific themes may vary by semester. Repeatable for credit with different focus. Prerequisite: PTH 600 or instructor permission.