Christian Ministries
Biblical Studies | Christian Thought and Mission | Christian Ministries | Integrative Courses
PROFESSORS
Francesca Nuzzolese, Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care
Mayra Picos-Lee, Instructor in Counseling
Carol M. Schreck, Associate Professor of Marriage and Family
Guenter Peter Schreck, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Marsha Brown Woodard, Instructor in Christian Ministry
Willette Burgie, Director of Student Formation and Seminary Chaplain
Elizabeth Congdon-Martin, Affiliate in Christian Ministries
William R. Thomas, Affiliate in Pastoral Ministry
Lynn Vanderhoof, Affiliate in Counseling
Peter C. Wool, Affiliate in Christian Ministries
F. Albert Tizon, Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Holistic Ministry
The area of Christian Ministries reflects Palmer Theological Seminary's commitment to applied and practical theology. This area encompasses such fields as preaching, counseling, church music, Christian education and youth ministry, psychology and religion, pastoral ministry and leadership, administration and theological field education. All M.Div. students are required to take core courses that introduce each field, after which electives are chosen to broaden and deepen understanding and skills. Stress is placed upon diverse styles and current trends in the practice of ministry. Ministry theories are examined in light of theological field education experiences.
REQUIRED COURSES
CM 502. INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL CARE
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of the ministry of pastoral care. Special emphasis is placed on the pastor's encounter with persons in crisis in order to gain an awareness of and deeper appreciation for the healing aspects of ministry and the human dynamics in stress, as well as the Biblical and theological foundations of pastoral care. Two units. Nuzzolese/Pretz/Thomas.
CM 503. PERSONAL DIMENSIONS OF MINISTRY
Gaining self, sharing self, investing self and saving self are the activities around which we order our lives. Personal maturity-whether as a student, as a friend/spouse/parent or as a person in ministry-is a function of understanding, embracing and balancing the demands inherent in these relational life tasks. This course provides a context for exploring identity, intimacy, industry and integrity (spiritual wholeness) through theological, psychological and experiential perspectives. Small groups will facilitate discussion, accountability and support in working with these personal dimensions of growth and ministry. Two units. C. & P. Schreck, et al.
CM 504. INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING
A basic course in the principles of preaching as they relate to texts, content, style, delivery and communication of the Word of God. An examination of homiletic fundamentals with emphasis on the nature and function of preaching in the context of worship. Students will prepare outlines and a sermon manuscript. Prerequisites: B 501 or B 503 and CTM 501. Two units. Farmer/Greiser.
CM 505. PASTORAL MINISTRY
This course is designed to provide an exploration of various dynamics in pastoral ministry such as, but not limited to: pastoral identity, ministry paradigms, leadership models, laity empowerment and transformation. Two units. Wool.
CM 506. PREACHING PRACTICUM
Emphasis on organization, style and delivery of the sermon. The aim of the course is to give the student practice in the preparation and delivery of sermons. The delivery and content of sermons will be analyzed and evaluated by various techniques, student peers and faculty. Prerequisite: CM 504. One unit. Berghuis/Epply-Schmidt.
CM 507 & 508. MIDDLER THEOLOGICAL FIELD EDUCATION
Middler theological field education is comprised of supervised ministry in a church-based setting. Faculty-led seminar groups utilize an integrative reflective and practice model. Students must begin theological field education courses with the fall semester and remain in the seminar group and site placement through fall and spring semesters. Prerequisites: CM 502; CM 503. One unit each semester. Supervised Ministries.
CM 509 & 510. SENIOR THEOLOGICAL FIELD EDUCATION
Senior theological field education is required after completion of Middler theological field education CM 507 & CM 508. A faculty-led seminar group is required. The focus is on enhancing and identifying personal and professional areas of growth for ministry. Prerequisites: CM 507 & CM 508 and CTM 501 & CTM 502. One unit each semester. Supervised Ministries.
CM 513. INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PASTORAL CARE PRACTICUM
Pastoral visitation in a hospital or other institutional setting under clinical supervision. Verbatim reports, reading critiques, supervision, peer discussion and in-service learning experiences are included in the program. At least 160 hours of supervised learning is required. Offered during fall or spring semesters and in January or Summer terms. CM 635 may be taken in place of CM 513. Prerequisites: CM 502 and CTM 501. Two units. Supervised Ministries and institutional chaplain.
CM 514. CHURCH RENEWAL AND EVANGELISM
This course will consider God's work of renewal accomplished in and through believers via the reformation and revitalization of the Church. Students will examine the biblical and theological foundations for renewal; the message, methods and goals of evangelism; and the contemporary "navigational environment" (the mission field on which each has been placed). Attention will be given to congregational and community ministry and to the phenomena of mass evangelism, personal witnessing, revivals, social action, the Church Growth Movement and the evangelical ecumenical movement. Two units. DiRaddo.
CM 515. THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF WORSHIP
A theology of worship will be explored as the basis upon which worship services are planned and conducted. The special worship services of the church such as weddings, funerals, dedication services, baptisms and communion will be considered, as will the contribution of contemporary creative emphasis on worship. The significant role of music in worship is also explored. Prerequisite: At least 3-4 full semesters of Seminary work. Two units. Morrison.
CM 516. M.T.S. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Two to four units. Counseling Professors.
CM 517. M.T.S. THESIS PROJECT
Four units. Counseling Professors.
CM 518. M.T.S. RESEARCH PROJECT (CHRISTIAN COUNSELING)
Two units. Counseling Professors.
PREACHING ELECTIVES:
In order to participate in preaching electives students must have taken the basic course, CM 504, Introduction to Preaching.
CM 606. PREACHING IN CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
An advanced course in preaching for students who anticipate, or are already active in, a pastoral ministry. It envisions a life of week-to-week preaching, and especially preaching in special settings of congregational life such as funerals, baptisms, weddings, and crisis situations in a church's life when a clear gospel word is needed. Two units. Greiser.
CM 607. PREACHING AND THE MOVIES
Movies play a major role in the shaping of American culture: how we understand ourselves and the world, establish goals and priorities, value and recognize justice, identify heroes, develop facility in language and imagery, and form relationships. Course participants will develop theological skills to identify and interact with life-claims made by movies; learn strategies and hazards in the use of movies in sermons, including controversial material; and preach sermons in the critically friendly world of peers. Two units.
CM 609. MINISTERING TO YOUTH THROUGH PREACHING
Two units. Alford.
CM 610. INDEPENDENT STUDY/READINGS IN PREACHING
One or two units.
CM 611. THE PREACHING OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY
Women have been preaching, whether called that or not, from the beginning days of this country. They have and are contributing to all facets of the preaching ministry: pastoral, social, prophetic, educational, and evangelistic. This course focuses on how women were given or denied pulpits, what women who were permitted to preach said, and how they said it. Beginning with the widespread preaching of Quaker women in England before the American Revolution, the course takes us from Anne Hutchinson through noted women preachers in modern American church history. We will attend to women from various ethnic and cultural groups, and from various denominational traditions and theological perspectives. The course empowers women called to preach and in search of their pulpits, and also encourages men to affirm more fully the gifts, callings, and rights of women preachers. Two units. Farmer.
*JCM (JANUARY INTENSIVE). PREACHER AS STORYTELLER I
This course concentrates on storytelling as an art unto itself. Using selected folk tales, Scriptures, and factual narratives, we will try out some of the tools of the trade: visualization, articulation, personal expressiveness, and interpretation. Generally offered as a January term intensive course. Previous completion of CM504 preferred but not required. One unit. Epply-Schmidt.
* JCM (JANUARY INTENSIVE). PREACHER AS STORYTELLER II
Working with a "preachable" folktale provided prior to the course, each student will create a short sermon that joins story, Scripture, and personal artistry. Classroom activities include workshop exercises to deepen and sharpen storytelling skills; discussion of selected readings on narrative as preaching; and, at the end of the class, preaching newly created sermons to the glory of our Creator. Generally offered as a January term intensive course. Prerequisites: Introduction to Preaching, Preacher as Storyteller I. One unit. Epply-Schmidt.* If both Preacher as Storyteller I and II are taken as graded courses, they may count toward the two units of Preaching Elective required for M.Div. students.
MINISTRY ELECTIVES:
CM 613. THEOLOGICAL FIELD EDUCATION INTERNSHIP
This elective internship offers the possibility of an intensive serving/learning experience in ministry. Arrangements must be negotiated with and approved by the Supervised Ministries office. This elective may supplement, but cannot be taken in the place of CM 507/ 508, CM 509/510. No more than three elective units can be earned. Offered during fall or spring semesters and in January or Summer terms. Supervised Ministries.
CM 614. PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Two units. Hudson.
CM 615. BEST PRACTICES FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS
Addresses the life of the learner as a leader in ministry and as a community leader. We'll look at personal, public, church and political life, with special attention to biblical principles that guide best practices in each area. Students will identify critical issues confronting church leaders today and develop approaches to face these challenges. The course will include small group discussion and classroom presentations. Two units. Yego.
CM 616. INDEPENDENT STUDY/READINGS IN PARISH MINISTRY
This course offers opportunity for individual involvement in a significant research project or readings in a specialized area of ministry. One or two units. Ministry faculty.
MINISTRIES OF PASTORAL CARE AND COUNSELING ELECTIVES:
CM 631. ESSENTIAL PASTORAL COUNSELING SKILLS
This course will focus on equipping the pastoral counselor with the basic skills that will be needed to carry out effective pastoral ministry. Specific modalities of counseling such as individual, couples and family counseling skills will be emphasized. Attention will be paid to developing conceptual (theoretical framework), perceptual (non-verbal communication) and executive (the actual counseling), skills. Additionally, real life situations such as working with members who are suffering from trauma, addictions, suicidal thoughts, marital concerns and sexual issues will be integrated throughout the course. The use of role-play and actual cases from Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) will be used extensively. Two units. Collins.
CM 634. MINISTERIAL ETHICS
Relationships between and among clergy, issues of behavior between clergy and congregants and congregants with each other, issues with denominations -- all these and more will be examined in light of ethics and in the form of case studies in this course. And always, within and at the heart of the study, remains the question: Who am I as I struggle with these dilemmas? (Counseling/Ethics elective) Two units. Vanderhoof.
CM 635. CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
A basic unit of supervised clinical pastoral education in certified CPE centers. The program includes verbatim writing, lectures, visitations, on-call involvement, peer process group, individual supervision and in-service learning experiences. Can be substituted for the required CM 513. At least 400 hours of supervised learning is required. Offered 12 weeks in the summer or as an extended experience throughout the academic year. Two to four units. Supervised Ministries and institutional chaplain.
CM 638. PASTORAL CARE TO AT-RISK WOMEN AND FAMILIES
The main aim of this course is to help students investigate, assess, and pastorally respond to the interlocking systems of oppression (economic, racial, sexual, cultural) which endanger particularly the lives of women - and often the lives of those more directly entrusted in their care (such as children and elderly parents). Students will be challenged to engage both knowledge (theoretical information) and praxis (their pastoral experience) as they learn to perform the tasks of investigation, assessment, and pastoral response. Such tasks are foundational to the construction of adequate pastoral models that address the particular needs of those who are considered at risk. Pastoral care experience preferred but not required for this course. Two units. Nuzzolese.
CM 639. BIBLICAL CONCEPTS AND PASTORAL REALITIES
This course looks at the biblical concepts of boards/councils/sessions/consistories, meetings, money, stewardship, strategic planning, conflict management, lay ministry, communications, and pastoral leadership and how they have developed in the church of today. The student will be expected to use his or her present church setting to analyze and apply these concepts as they have developed in today's cultural milieu. Previous completion of CTM501 Systematic Theology I recommended but not required. Two units. Spink.
CM 640. MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS: A PAIRS PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
Designed for engaged or married couples, this course focuses on nurturing marital relationships through the teaching and practicing of relationship skills. Topics addressed and skills taught include: bonding; couple communication; emotional literacy; a win-win approach to handling conflict; contracting; learning to appreciate differences; self-understanding in light of family-of-origin; couple sexuality; and couple spirituality. The course both provides theoretical content to help develop better understanding of interpersonal dynamics and offers a practical, hands-on, 13 week laboratory experience in which couples practice applying specific relationship skills to their daily interactions. High value will be placed on integrating Biblical and social science knowledge throughout the course. Two units. Carol & Peter Schreck.
CM 641. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AS SYSTEMS
An introduction to the principles of systems theory, focusing on this approach as an alternative to the individualism of much psychology and theology. The systemic qualities of marriage and family receive particular attention as relationship features of special psychological and theological importance. Written assignments encourage reflection upon the student's own family system. Two units. P. Schreck.
CM 644. SYSTEMS DYNAMICS IN CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
This course helps the student apply family systems theory to the life of the congregation. Concepts such as boundaries, unspoken rules, communication patterns, triangles, parentification, legacies, entitlements and obligations, and loyalties will be explored as helpful categories for understanding the dynamics of congregational life. Parallels will be drawn between families and churches in how they handle such issues as roles, authority, power, conflict, intimacy, individuation, change and growth, and socialization. The student will be involved in doing field surveys and assessments in her/his congregational context. Creative interaction between the social science categories and biblical/theological concepts concerning the church is expected. Prerequisite: CM 641. Two units. P. Schreck.
CM 645. PRE-MARRIAGE COUNSELING
This course will present key relational and theological issues present when forming a marriage covenant, and provide practical counseling interventions to equip pastors and counselors to provide effective pre-marital and early years counseling. Students will develop a series of structured comprehensive pre-marital counseling sessions for engaged couples and for married couples dealing with the foundational issues of marriage. The instructor will draw on his experiences as a pastor and counselor to provide a framework for woking in the congregational and/or therapeutic setting. Two units. Pretz.
CM 647. INDEPENDENT STUDY/TUTORIAL READINGS IN PASTORAL COUNSELING
Independent reading set up by consultation between professor and advanced student. Specific objectives leading to deeper insights into counseling theory and practice are pursued in regular conference. Enrollment by permission of professor. One or two units.
CM 648. ADDICTIONS AND TRAUMA IN THE URBAN CONTEXT
This course surveys ways Pastoral Care can help mediate the pain of congregants suffering the after-effects of trauma and addictions. Special emphasis will be paid to the dimensions of trauma as they might surface in everyday experiences in the local urban church. A poly-addictions model will be used to study the variety of addictions that commonly occur in parish ministry. For example, Substance Abuse Addictions (cocaine, crack, and heroine), Prescribed Drugs: Valium, Oxytocins, and Designer Drugs: Ecstasy, Angel Dust, Alcohol. Process Addictions such as Sex Addiction, Love Addiction, Food Addiction, Gambling Addiction, Workaholism, and Smoking will also be covered. We will look at Biblical/Theological resources to help people through an addiction or traumatic experience, as well as Twelve Step Models and other therapeutic approaches to give solution oriented suggestions to members who may be suffering from an addiction or trauma. (Urban or Counseling elective). Two units. Collins.
CM 649. VICTIM CARE: ISSUES AND STRATEGIES
A course designed to train pastors to consider and discern the life issues facing victims of crime. It will cover strategies to assist victims toward recovery with compassion, understanding, theological reflection and ethical and legal correctness. Additionally, it will familiarize pastors with an understanding of the organization and purpose of the criminal justice system and highlight the skills/responsibilities of confidentiality and legal reporting. There will be opportunities to think theologically about justice, law and evil. Two units. Pretz.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ELECTIVES:
CM 672. SURVEY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The educational ministry of the local church will be explored to provide the parish pastor or educational specialist with a foundation for developing effective programs in church education. Historical patterns of Christian education, faith development, administration, teaching methodology, the context of the local church, as well as new models for education will be studied. Two units.
CM 673. TEACHING THE FAITH ACCORDING TO ST. PAUL
The early Christian community's understanding of Christ was formed more by the writings and interpretation of the Apostle Paul than any other single figure. This class will look at Paul's theology and method as a model for preaching, teaching, and spiritual formation in the contemporary Church. Primary emphasis will be on Romans, the Corinthian letters, and Galatians. (Christian Education/Bible elective). Two units. Borror
CM 677. INDEPENDENT STUDY/TUTORIAL READINGS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Student will design learning contract with professor utilizing readings, research papers and conferences to gain insights on Christian education theory and practice. Enrollment to be arranged with professor. One or two units.
SINT (SUMMER INTENSIVE). MINISTRY WITH CHILDREN
Children's potential and needs for Christian development and nurture will be examined. Issues will include understanding child development, enabling effective parenting, involving children in the total life of the church and children's participation in worship and education. Two units. Purkis-Brash.
URBAN MINISTRY ELECTIVES:
CM 681. MINISTERIAL BRIDGES: CHRISTIAN AND URBAN EDUCATION
Urban Ministry techniques and skills are biblically oriented and developed through prayerful, thoughtful, studied and observed strategies that can cause the Christian Church to be extremely efficient in a hostile environment. The called of God must understand that urban ministry involves spiritual warfare that requires the exploration of critical social, cultural, and theological issues from the perspective of marginalized persons and communities. Issues such as poverty, addiction, racism and classism, unemployment, illiteracy, lack of education, domestic violence, child neglect, environmental toxicity, and generational curses are social issues that often affect an entire urban community. To become effective in Urban Ministry, one must immerse him- or herself within the life of the urban community. There are no textbook cases, nor monolithic styles or solutions found in Urban Ministry. To become proficient in Urban Ministry, one must learn to become a strategist and be creative in developing models for intervention. �Christian Educational models can provide a means for addressing such. These models can be developed to address ways of promoting positive influences for the lived experience of urban community inhabitants. Two units. Alford.
SINT (SUMMER INTENSIVE). ANABAPTISM TODAY: LEARNING WITH YODER AND HAUERWAS John Yoder articulated a compelling vision, attracting many around the globe to the "politics of Jesus." Yoder demonstrated that the Anabaptist movement was fundamentally a new way of viewing Christian faith and life - including the centrality of Jesus, a re-imagining of church and world and a commitment to love both enemies and neighbors. This course focuses on the contemporary challenges of Anabaptism as mediated through Yoder and his most influential convert - Stanley Hauerwas. One or two units.
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