ACADEMICS

This study track explores the role of episcopal ministry and leadership from within historical, Biblical, ecumenical, and contextual frameworks. Students will be introduced to patristic theology, sacramental theology, and liturgical theology to understand the sacramentality of episcopal consecration, rite for the ordination of a bishop, presbyters, and deacons as classically understood though the sacrament of Holy Orders. Particular attention will be given to understanding the office of bishop beyond its administrative function and in its sacred and sacramental role as “in persona Christi”- “in the person of Christ.”

The United Nations world population study reports that more than half of the world population now lives in urban areas and that by 2050 nearly 70% will live in cities. In the United States of America the current state of urbanized population stands at 84% and is projected to increase to nearly 90% by 2050! Well informed, reflective, and highly trained urban faith community leadership will be critical in order to be effective leaders in this growing movement. We can project God’s need for urban transformational faith leaders! Deeply grounded in the urban context, students will reflect biblically and theologically, review historical, contemporary and emerging theories and practices of leadership and organizational behavior, such as, evidenced in the “Black Lives Matter” movement, assess their own leadership style and competencies, and project the gifts and graces of leadership called for to become highly effective faith leaders in the local, national and global urban contexts. Special attention will be given to urbanization as a growing global movement and the contextual leadership skills required to be effective in various settings.

Blacks were foundational to the spread of the Gospel message. Blacks were seminal to the understanding of theology. Blacks were instrumental in shaping of Christian history. This track seeks to empower the Black Church with the truth of their ancestry as “the basis for freedom and courage to take action.” (Rev. Dr. Brandon I. McCrae)

Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of the Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. Expository
preaching marries the art and science of study and speech, preparation and proclamation, autonomy to audience, and work and witness. It is the quintessential practice of truth from truth and sight from scripture.
G. Campbell Morgan, pastor of London’s Westminster Chapel and known as “the prince of expositors,” taught that a sermon is limited by the text it is covering. Every word from the pulpit should amplify, elaborate on, or illustrate the text at hand, with a view towards clarity. He wrote, “The sermon is the text repeated more fully.” A sermon’s primary function is to present the text. We will have four primary aims with this course: 1. To make the learner familiar with the interpretative tools of the trade. 2. Introduce a process for interpretations. 3. Develop a methodology to move from study to sermon. 4. Craft expositional sermons.

Women have contributed much to the ministry of the Church throughout its history. However, their role in this area has never been free from controversy. Today, most church bodies are discussing the place of women in their ministries. This course is designed to encourage, enlighten. enhance, and endorse Women In Ministry through an exploration of women in religious history, cultural anthropology, and womanist theology.
■ Encourage - students towards a call to ministry.
■ Enlighten - students concerning the challenges
and turning points of women's history.
■ Enhance - students' understanding of
womanhood in the “imago Dei”, image of God.
■ Endorse - a womanist Biblical hermeneutic.

Through this course is designed to introduce students to the historic practices of pastoral care and counseling Pastoral care will be viewed as involving interactions with individuals and groups of people needing pastoral care; equipping the people of Christ to care for one another; and helping the local church embrace its responsibility to the surrounding community and the wider world. This course will also explore preliminary intervention in pastoral counseling, helping students to practice basic counseling skills and mobilize lay people in the local church to engage in a broad range of care giving ministries.