Jump to a section:

Core Requirements

CM101 Introduction to Preaching
T. Brown
First-year students explore and grasp a biblical and Reformed vision of preaching. Includes a sermon preparation workshop and a "lab" in which written and preached sermons are carefully analyzed by faculty and peers. Significant homiletical concerns are presented, discussed, clarified, and applied to the task of preaching. 3 credits.
CM102 Seminar in Spiritual Formation
Chase
Our vocation to love God "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" is a challenge for people of faith today as it has been throughout the centuries. The seminar will survey diverse traditions of Christian faith to see how believers throughout history have responded to and struggled with being formed in faith and love. Using a variety of spiritual practices and through critical reflection, students will explore formation in loving God with heart and soul and mind. 1.5 credits.
CM103 Seminar in Congregational Studies
G. Brown
This seminar cultivates the art of knowing a congregation-its context, character, and vocation. Skills of observation, discovery, and interpretation are practiced, and the capacity for theological discernment in peer collegiality is nurtured. 1.5 credits.
CM112 Seminar on Communicating the Gospel
V. Sterk
This seminar cultivates the ability to communicate the gospel in articulate, relevant, and true ways among people for whom faith in Jesus Christ is not yet formed. The seminar nurtures personal practices and patterns of communication that correspond to the calling of the whole people of God to give witness to Christ in life, word, and deed. 2 credits.
CM113 Seminar on the Pastor as Person
Hamman, Latini
This seminar asks students to call on their own selves as God calls them to the ministry. Students will be empowered to address their wholistic health proactively, while being warned against the inherent dangers of being in the ministry. Through the processing of verbata and through pastoral preaching, the students will reflect on the selves they bring to their ministries. Students must either have completed or be concurrently registered for CM115. 2 credits.
CM115 An Introduction to Counsel and Care
Hamman, Latini
In this introductory course, students explore giving counsel and offering care as ministers of Word and sacrament. They develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of pastoral care and acquire basic skills required for giving counsel and offering care. Numerous pastoral themes are addressed in lectures, learning labs, and small group interaction. Students will be encouraged to develop their own pastoral presence in offering counsel and care. 3 credits.
CM120 Leading Christian Communities
Voskuil, MacLeod
An introduction to the theory and practice of Christian leadership from a missional and theological perspective. A course for seniors. 3 credits.
CM121 Church Governance and Denominational Standards (J-Term)
G. Brown
Within the context of an overall theology of church governance, explores the candidate's specific ecclesiastical tradition (including polity and standards) as a framework for mission. 2 credits.
CM122 Empowering Christian Education
G. Brown
This course is designed to introduce learners to the field of Christian religious education and to equip them for the church's teaching ministry. In addition to developing an understanding of fundamental principles of teaching and learning, learners will be exposed to five basic models of teaching and locate themselves within one of four distinctive approaches to Christian religious education. 3 credits.
CM123 Seminar on Teaching and Learning
G. Brown
This seminar integrates experiential learning in teaching churches under the supervision of mentors with critical reflection in peer group settings on the practice of Christian religious education. The focus is on developing competence as a teacher and learner through the practice of ministry and critical reflection. Students must either have completed or be concurrently registered for CM122. 1.5 credits.
CM124 Worship
An exploration of the ways in which the church's worship declares God's worth, expresses the church's faith, mediates divine grace, and empowers God's people for mission. 1.5 credits.

 

Top

Required Courses, Dual Track Master of Divinity - Master of Social Work

CM331 Dual Track Cohort Group
Hamman
Cohort group meets bi-weekly during the first year of the Dual Track degree program. 1 credit

CM332 Dual Track Cohort Group
Hamman
Cohort group meets weekly during the second year of the Dual Track degree program. 2 credits

CM333 Dual Track Cohort Group
Hamman
Cohort group meets online during the third year of the Dual Track degree program. 1.5 credits

CM334 Dual Track Cohort Group
Hamman
Cohort group meets online during the fourth year of the Dual Track degree program. 1.5 credits

 

Top

Vocational Courses, Pastoral Care and Counseling

CM499 Family of Origin Group
Hamman
Teaches the theory of family relationships and assesses the very impact of those relationships on a pastor's person and call to the ministry. This group, which meets weekly, will empower students to discover ways of being with people (rather than doing to people). Seeking both cognitive and emotional knowledge, the Family of Origin Group gives students the opportunity to carefully look at the relationships that formed them and the ways of being in relationship they bring to their ministry. 1.5 credits.

CM513 Basic Clinical Pastoral Education -
A pastoral ministry practicum that integrates the theory and practice of ministry in a clinical setting with special attention given to the person in ministry. A basic practicum accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. 6 credits

CM513N Basic Clinical Pastoral Education - non-accredited
A pastoral ministry practicum that integrates the theory and practice of ministry in a clinical setting with special attention given to the person in ministry. 6 credits

CM522 Counseling Youth
Hamman
Students will be equipped to understand teenagers and adolescents from a developmental framework (i.e., physiological, emotional, cognitive, relational, social, and spiritual development) and will gain effective counseling skills to inform any youth ministry. The class will involve lectures, collaborative learning groups, and role-play before video cameras. Prerequisite: CM115 and current engagement in a ministry that includes working with youth. 3 credits

CM527 Ministry at the End of Life
Floding
Provides a broad introduction to the privilege of ministry at the end of life. The class will consider practical issues such as the dying experience, pastoral care of the dying, partners in ministry, the funeral sermon and worship service, and bereavement ministry. Students will examine the theology and ethics surrounding the end-of-life and look at the social history of death in America. This course equips Christian caregivers with knowledge and skills for effective ministry to the dying and their loved ones. 1.5 credits

CM528 Ministry as Grief Work
Hamman
Identifies the life-giving work of mourning and grieving as essential to any pastoral ministry. Embracing interdisciplinary, this course draws on biblical, theological, psychological, and sociological insights. It has three distinct foci: 1) Students will be empowered to grieve personal losses in their lives and disappointments experienced in ministry; 2) Students will be equipped to facilitate the work of mourning in the lives of individuals and families; 3) Students will be prepared to guide the grief process for a large group of people (such as a congregation). 3 credits

CM535 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry
Latini
A survey and critical analysis of a variety of models of small group ministry (e.g., bible study, spiritual direction, covenant discipleship, self-help, and leadership groups). Groups will be studied in light of the history of the small group movement, contemporary sociological trends, and a normative ecclesiology. Students will learn group process as they observe and participate in small groups throughout the semester. (limit 24 students) 3 credits

CM578 Wounded Healer
Hamman
Addresses the relationship between a pastor's personality (which includes the desire for healing, wholeness, and holiness) on the one hand, and a pastor's conviction of being called by God to enter the ministry on the other. To highlight the dynamic relationship between the deeply personal and the grace-filled mystery, the class will look at the psychobiographies of pastors and prominent theologians (Luther, Bonhoeffer, and others). 3 credits

CM580 Group Spiritual Direction
Chase
The spiritual direction relationship begins with an invitation from God to be together. It is surrounded by prayer and the contemplative art of listening with one's whole being. Group spiritual direction involves a facilitator and three to five other persons seeking the guidance and will of God together. The process involves a time of silence, sharing of a participant, silence, response from the group, and silence. The process is repeated for all members of the group. 1.5 credits.

 

Top

Vacational Courses, Religious Education

CM531 Curriculum Evaluation and Design
G. Brown
Analysis and evaluation of Christian education resources and curricula designs. Students develop skills for evaluating and designing a Christian education program. 3 credits

CM532 Equipping for Teaching and Leadership
G. Brown
Skills taught in this course include discerning spiritual gifts, calling people to service, and equipping teachers and leaders for their ministries and affirming their contributions. A variety of methods and media will be used. 3 credits

CM534 Educating for Transformation
G. Brown
Church education frequently limits its focus to information and formation. Romans 12:1-3 reminds pastors and religious educators that education in the church also needs to attend to transformation. This seminar-style course is designed to introduce participants to the thought of James E. Loder and other educators. Participants will explore practical implications of the theoretical perspectives of Loder and others. 1.5 credits

CM582 Developing Education Programs in the Local Church
G. Brown
A minister serving a congregation is both a teacher and the key leader in the congregation's education ministry. This course is designed to help prepare learners develop, implement, and evaluate teaching and learning opportunities that will equip laypeople for leadership in the church's teaching ministry and empower the congregation to participate more effectively in God's mission. Attention will be given to identifying and assessing appropriate education models, programs, and resources for use with adults, youth, and children in a variety of settings. 3 credits

CM621 Christian Education of Adults
G. Brown
Developmental characteristics and religious needs of adult learners, learning styles and appropriate in structional methods, and program design and resources are covered in this course. Students develop a philos ophy of Christian education with adults. 3credits

 

Top

Vocational Courses, Worship and Preaching

CM451 RCA Worship
Drawing from Scripture and Reformed confessions and liturgies, and in sympathetic discussion with a wide range of other worshiping traditions, this course will present, discuss, clarify, and apply a Reformed vision of worship to congregational settings in the RCA in the United States and Canada. 2.5 credits

CM529 Tuned For Praise
Bechtel
Discover the beauty and potential of the human voice singing in harmony. This class focuses on learning music for worship, including opportunities for leading the WTS community in song. Bring whatever musical gifts God has given you (instrumentalists, too). Sample styles like Iona, Taize, Jewish, and whateveer else the class would like to explore. Make beautiful music, enrich the worship life of the community, and praise God all at the same time. 1 credit.

CM547 Preaching in the Urban Context
TBA
Participants will explore authentic strategies for preaching and effectively communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ to urban, contemporary hearers. In dialogue with peers and the professor the participants will reflect on the person of the preacher, examine the urban context, explore the homiletical demands in diverse, city congregations, and incorporate experiential context and theological content in sermons. Participants will explore new strategies for preaching, reflective of their commitment to the biblical text, the urban community,m and their personal voice. 3 credit.

CM548 Keeping and Talking the Word
T. Brown
A course designed to both consider and practice the centuries long spiritual discipline of scripture memorization and. With specific consideration to the nature and history of the oral transmission of the scriptures and building on specific training in contemplative exegesis, each participant will prepare and perform selected portions of the biblical witness and participate in a larger group performance of the same.

CM549 The Rhythms of Preaching: How to Prepare for a Year in the Pulpit 
This course addresses particular preaching events in pastoral ministry: liturgical seasons, weddings, funerals, and holidays. It includes an initial look at how preaching the catechism provides a time-tested way of teaching doctrine to long-time believers as well as seekers. Assesses classic and contemporary resources for preaching. Participants will prepare and preach at least two sermons and will prepare a draft preaching calendar with scripture texts and topics for Advent through Ordinary Time. 3 credits

CM555 Seeker-Sensitive Preaching
T. Brown
Investigates, evaluates, and implements strategies for preaching in a "post-Christian" culture. The course will evaluate the phenomenon of "seeker-sensitive worship" and offer a vision for preaching that is both responsive to the Reformed heritage and sensitive to contemporary culture. 3 credits

CM557 Preaching and the Literary Forms of the Bible
T. Brown
An exploration of the particular demands of preaching from the apocalyptic literature of the Bible. Focusing largely on the Apocalypse of St. John, the course will investigate preaching themes in corresponding Old Testament works such as Daniel and Ezekiel. Preaching is required, and each student will leave the course with a specific preaching plan. 3 credits

CM564 The Ministry of the Word and the Land and Culture of the Bible
T. Brown
The Bible, by God's design, was written by human beings living in a specific time and place. A faithful interpretation, application, and proclamation of the biblical witness requires an understanding of the cultural, political, and geographical context from which it arose. Material will be drawn from work done previously in the biblical field, Jewish and rabbinic studies, and an intensive travel seminar in Israel itself. The Jewish roots of the Christian faith make significant implications for the ministry of the Word in the twenty-first century. 3 credits

CM567 Spirituality for Preaching
T. Brown
Participants explore and exercise the classic disciplines of the Christian life that for centuries have sustained those whom God has called to preach. The course focuses on a "contemplative exegetical" reading of St. Paul's letter to the Colossians. In alternating rhythms of "lectio continua" and "lectio divina", prayer, silence, meditation, and mutual encouragement, participants ready themselves for "a long obedience in the same direction." 3 credits

CM568 Preaching and Pain
T. Brown
Skill development for dealing with the deep pains of the human experience in relation to the biblical vision of hope and healing. Preaching is required in this course. Seven weeks; 1.5 credits.

CM576 Called to Preach
T. Brown
A course for the person sensing a call to a life of proclamation in the parish setting. Students will examine varying homiletical models to help them discover their "voice" for the task of preaching, to consider a range of sermon planning possibilities, and to investigate approaches for dealing with the inevitable conflicts of preaching in a parish setting. The course involves the regular rhythm of lectures, discussions, and preaching labs. Prerequisite: CM101. 3 credits

 

Top

Vacational Courses, Leadership

CM450 RCA Polity
G. Brown
A survey of the "Book of Church Order" and the organizational theory, structure, and function of the Reformed Church in America. 1.5 credits.

CM523 Leading Missional Innovation and Change in Ministries and Congregations
MacLeod
Will examine the theory of leading change in ministries and congregations through empowering learning. The theory of the learning organization and its primary focus on guiding change will be applied to ministry and congregational cases. Students will draw upon their Teaching Church experience as actual cases to investigate. Assignments will include applying the five principles for leading learning organizations. 3 credits

CM526 Leadership for a Revitalized Church in Mission
This course will help students understand the leadership issues necessary for shaping a healthy and missional congregational culture. Nurturing congregational health and vitality, leading change, shaping congregational culture, and organizing for mission are the key components of this course. A wide range of church and community leaders will be invited to help introduce students to central concepts and contextual applications for what is being learned. 3 credits

CM537 Leadership within the Complex Social Systems of a Congregation
MacLeod
Effective pastoral leadership entails the wise leadership and management of a complex and multi-layered social system. This course will explore the collective social patterns deeply lodged within congregations. Students will develop skills in discovering social patterns, assessing the implications for ministry and congregational health/change and determining types of leadership responses. 3 credits

CM575 New Church Development
This course will provide an overview of strategies for church planting and church multiplication, with particular attention to the skills, gifts, and aptitudes needed to serve as the founding pastor of a new church. 3 credits

Top
 

Other Vocational Courses

CM524 Introduction to Campus Ministry
Floding
Examines the issues confronting the chaplain or church-based campus ministry position including worship, faith development of eighteen- to twenty-four-year olds, pastoral care challenges, engaging faculty, working with the administration, international student ministry, self-care, and proven models. 1.5 credits.

CM525 Ministry in a Postmodern World
MacLeod
Many of today's congregational practices find their roots in mid-twentieth-century culture and are now colliding with aspects of the emerging new twenty-first-century culture. This course will examine dominant social aspects of the emerging culture often called "postmodern." Values, beliefs, and assumptions of modernity and postmodernity will be theologically and socially critiqued and examined with regard to their implications for congregational and ministry practices. 3 credits

CM536 Popular Culture, Practical Theology, and Ministry to Adolescents and Young Adults
Latini
Using various forms of popular culture - e.g., music, movies, fashion, TV - this course will examine the psychological, social, and spiritual challenges and questions of adolescents and young adults living in contemporary North America. Students will learn both to interpret popular culture from multiple perspectives and to develop strategies of ministry to adolescents and young adults. 3 credits

CM577 Rural Church Ministries
Floding
Students sensing a call to serve in a rural ministry setting will explore the opportunity and challenge from a social systems perspective. Sixty percent of RCA congregations are in town and country settings with populations of 50,000 or less. Students will consider rural church leadership in light of its spiritual, geographic, social, economic, demographic, and political contexts. This learning experience includes significant interaction with a rural RCA pastor, the Rural Church Network, and a field trip. Seven weeks; 1.5 credits.

Top