Ministry and Leadership (MML)

Too often, theology and life can seem disconnected. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to be theologically grounded scholar-leaders in ministry through engagement with an ongoing, intentional process of practical theology. As one aspect of this process, students will develop competency in using a electronic biblical studies tool such as Logos Bible Software.

In this course, students will evaluate various theological positions as well as articulating and defending one's understanding of these positions on foundational areas of Christian theology in relationship to ministry praxis. Traditional theological categories will be addressed within the broader theme of the Kingdom of God narrative (Creation, fall, redemption, vocation, consummation).

From infancy to elderhood, God created people with a natural process of development in the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual realms. Building on an understanding of theological anthropology, this course will focus on applying the insights of developmental psychology to the critique and design of ministry strategies and programs for persons throughout the lifespan.

The purpose of this course is to facilitate the development of the student's character, spiritual life, and leadership through a process of self-reflection in interaction with a mentor, supervisor, ministry peers, and ministry participants.

Biblical interpretation is grounded in an understanding of the ancient worlds in which they are rooted. The purpose of this course is to develop students' understanding of and appreciation for biblical history, geography, and cultures through a study tour of the Holy Land.

Ministry is the overflow of one's life in deep connection with the Spirit of God into the lives of others. The purpose of this course is to encourage and enable students to cultivate that ongoing connection with God through the experience of pilgrimage on the Jesus Trail in Israel. Multiple spiritual disciplines will be incorporated into the aspects of the pilgrimage.

What are the factors influencing the development of ministry teams? How can the leader cultivate healthy and effective teams in ministry organizations? The purpose of this course is to equip and empower students to cultivate healthy and effective ministry teams, whether volunteers and staff. The course will engage students in the biblical, theological, and theoretical foundations related to teams, as they assess the needs of and create a development plan for a team in their ministry setting as well as critique popular thought on leadership in Christian ministry.

What are the factors influencing the development of ministry teams? How can the leader cultivate healthy and effective teams in ministry organizations? The purpose of this course is to equip and empower students to cultivate healthy and effective ministry teams, whether volunteers and staff. The course will engage students in the biblical, theological, and theoretical foundations related to teams, as they assess the needs of and create a development plan for a team in their ministry setting as well as critique popular thought on leadership in Christian ministry.

The facilitation of growth and learning are central to the practice of Christian ministry. In this course, students will integrate an understanding of the theological, biblical, and theoretical foundations of teaching and learning into the development of a curriculum plan and teaching materials for a Christian ministry. Attention will be given to the variety of instructional contexts available in a ministry setting.

Ministry is the incarnation of God's mission and purposes within the life of a particular community. In this course students will evaluate and apply various approaches to contextualization for use in their ministry context. Taking advantage of Judson's location, this class will include interaction with ministry leaders in Chicagoland area.

The purpose of this course is to evaluate and apply redemptive principles in intentional relationships understood through mentoring theory and principles, reflecting the theological foundations of spiritual formation. The practice of mentoring and discipleship in ministry will also be emphasized as students utilize the skills in the development of a mentoring relationship and the creation of a mentoring ministry within a Christian ministry organization.

The purpose of this course is to evaluate and apply redemptive principles in intentional relationships understood through mentoring theory and principles, reflecting the theological foundations of spiritual formation. The practice of mentoring and discipleship in ministry will also be emphasized as students utilize the skills in the development of a mentoring relationship and the creation of a mentoring ministry within a Christian ministry organization.