DM 800. Research Methodology and Thesis Writing Preparation (Three hours)
This course is aimed to help students develop a comprehensive understanding of applied research and the process to write a prospectus (proposal) and thesis. Topics will include the fundamentals of the scientific method and scientific inquiry, ethical considerations in research, and how to design and write a Doctor of Ministry thesis project.
DM 801. Ecclesiology for the Mission of Church (Three hours)
This advanced seminar explores the nature and mission of the Church from biblical, historical, theological, and missional perspectives. It engages students in developing a contextual ecclesiology to guide the Church in a post-Christian, globalized, and digital era. Emphasis is placed on practical application in diverse ministry contexts and developing strategic leadership for congregational renewal and mission.
DM 802. Spiritual Warfare (Three hours)
This course surveys movement of prayer and spiritual warfare of mission field which brought missions and church growth or Evangelism. The course emphasizes the Nature of spirituality, pray and power of the Holy Spirit for church growth. Spiritual warfare refers to the ongoing battle between good and evil, particularly in the context of Christian belief. It involves recognizing and combating spiritual attacks that can manifest in various forms, such as stress, temptation, and relational conflicts.
DM. 803. Old Testament Theology for Christian Ministry (Three hours)
This course introduces students to the foundational role of Old Testament theology. Ministry focus on the history of this discipline, crucial interpretive figures, continuities and discontinuities between the Old Testaments, major theological themes, and how Christians can faithfully appropriate and apply Old Testament theology to the New Testament and New Covenant realities. Students give attention to how Old Testament theology provides context and content for the New Testament’s message, gospel preaching, and Christian life. Old Testament theology is foundational to our understanding of God and His purposes in the world. The seeds of the doctrines of substitutionary atonement, salvation, election, holiness, mercy, judgment, and forgiveness are all found in the Old Testament.
DM 804. Applied Anthropology for Ministry (Three hours)
This is to study man and a Biblical anthropology as understood primarily from Scripture, involving discussion of the particular creation of man, man in the “image of God,” the constitutional nature of man, and man after the fall. Origin, nature, and original state of man; covenant relationship to God; the fall; doctrine of sin; free agency. Special attention is given to the question of “image of God” and the theology of adoption. dichotomy and trichotomy, the covenant with Adam, and the nature of sin.
DM 806. Perspectives on the Kingdom of God (Three hours)
In this course students examine Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom interpreted in the light of the Old Testament and intertestamental Judaism, and in the context of the first-century Palestine. Students then analyze contemporary understandings of the Kingdom prevalent in the Church today. The Kingdom Perspective is a theological framework that emphasizes the reign of God as central to understanding the message of the Bible. This perspective is rooted in the belief that God’s sovereign rule is both a present reality and a future hope, as revealed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is a central theme throughout Scripture, and understanding it is crucial for comprehending the overarching narrative of the Bible.
DM 807. Trinitarianism (3 credits)
A study of the unity and Persons and functions in the Trinity; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, with special attention to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and the Triune God as well as the perfect love and unity within the Godhead model for us. A Research seminar on Scripture’s teaching on the Trinity.
DM 811. Christian Leadership (Three hours)
This course explores the Biblical and theological basis for Christian leadership. The principal aspects of Christian leadership – character, competency and change – are examined in relationship to one another and to their practice in the Church and in society.
DM 812. Dynamics of Biblical Counseling (Three hours)
In a seminar format, this course examines the use of the Bible in counseling, focusing particularly on questions of methodology. Students explore the application of Scripture to the counseling problems that arise in pastoral ministry and develop a theology of counseling. Assigned readings, response papers, and seminar presentations are required.
DM 818. Marriage Counseling (Three hours)
This course examines marriage, divorce, and remarriage from a Biblical perspective, then explores the dynamics and common problems of the marital relationship. Current approaches to marital therapy as well as various assessment instruments are considered. Students develop and refine their own theology and practice of marriage counseling through participation in role plays, the presentation of case studies, and assigned readings.
DM 819. Renewing Counseling Ministry (Three hours)
This course provides an opportunity for participants to refresh their pastoral counseling skills by assessing their present practices and examining current pastoral counseling interventions. A Biblical model of counseling that includes an understanding of how people change provides the central focus for the renewal of one’s counseling ministry.
DM 820. Dealing with Conflict (Three hours)
The course examines the types of conflict found in both the New Testament and ministry settings. Students examine some of the cultural, theological, ecclesiastical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, familial, and marital dimensions of conflict. Special emphasis is devoted to the concept of power, the sources of conflict, and to recognizing, responding to, and preventing destructive conflicts in Biblically and personally responsible ways.
DM 821. Christian Education (Three hours)
An advanced course in Christian education, the course begins with current dilemmas in Christian education and the need for Biblical and theological foundations. The course surveys the theoretical roots of models of Christian education and examines how each is practiced in the Church. Attention is given to evaluation of the Christian education program of a local Church.
DM 822. Spiritual Formation and Soul Care (Three hours)
This is to focus on the inner life of the minister and congregational spiritual formation. Includes classic disciplines of prayer, confession, Sabbath, silence, and rule of life. The course also aims to promote practice of spiritual disciplines personally and in community, developing of models for spiritual formation in the local church, and to address spiritual burnout, temptation, and resilience.
DM 824. Ecclesiology: The Church of the Lord (Three hours)
The biblical teaching as to the nature of the church, its order and ministry. Evaluation of recent ecclesiology and renewal movement, including particular interest in transitional and contemporary marks of the true church and sacraments.
DM 825. Lay Ministry in Church and Society (Three Hours)
This course is designed to study the importance of laypersons and their ministry in Christian ministry. The course is to explore the wide range of Christian ministry in church and society. This course seeks to understand two scriptural claims as follows. One thing is every Christian is a minister. The other is the role of a pastor is to equip all the Christians for their ministry. For the Greek word ‘laikoi, laos’ in the New Testament means neither the clergyman nor the laity, but the people of God. The Scripture claims one people and one ministry for the kingdom of God, not two, clergymen and laypersons.
DM 827. The Worship of the Ancient Church (Three hours)
This course examines the New Testament and a number of early Christian documents such as the Didaché, the worship reported by Justin Martyr, the Odes of Solomon, and the prayer of the Church of Antioch in the Fourth Century. The sermons of John Chrysostom and Augustine and the hymns of Ambrose of Milan and Ephrem of Syria receive special attention.
DM 828. Exploring the Missional Church (Three hours)
This course analyzes the Biblical theme of mission and its significance for the development of a missional ecclesiology. Students explore missional church models of ministry and consider implications of the models for twenty-first century church ministry.
DM 829. Engaging Islam (Three hours)
Students describe key elements of the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam, along with its growth in the United States and impact on the contemporary world. Students analyze the implications of the growth of Islam for Christianity in the US and abroad, and evaluate and refine apologetic and evangelistic methodologies.
DM 830. Contemporary Ethical Issues (Three hours)
This course probes ethical issues which Christian leaders encounter in their ministry setting and in working with other professionals. Selected current issues are examined in the light of Biblical principles.
DM 833. Independent Study in Contextual Studies (Three hours)
A candidate may undertake an independent study in contexts (demographics, ethical issues, culture, events) of particular interest or importance to the candidate. The request is to be made in writing to the Post-Graduate Committee and approved by the Committee before a professor is assigned to oversee the work. The Dean assigns a professor according to faculty availability.
DM 834. Advanced study of Addiction and Abuse (Three hours)
This course covers current information about the addictive processes associated with chemical dependencies as well as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention within a family systems framework. Issues related to addictions, such as family dynamics, structure, roles, and codependency are explored. This course also examines current studies of the nature of physical and sexual abuse and contemporary treatments with particular attention to family dynamics.
DM 840. Advanced Homiletics and Ministry Communication (Three hours)
This course examines the theology, ethics, and craft of preaching in a postmodern world. May include digital communication, media literacy, and preaching to diverse audiences. The course aims to promote preaching with theological depth and cultural sensitivity through regular evaluation of sermons critically and giving/receiving feedback, and further exploration of narrative, prophetic, and expository preaching models.
DM 841. Spiritual Dynamics (Three hours)
An overview of the dynamics involved in developing mature character in the life of the Christian leader. The thesis is that a Christian leader leads from character before skill, with a Christ-like character being of the utmost importance.
DM 842. Advanced Fundamental Therapy Skills (Three hours)
Training in counseling and interviewing skills. Stress is placed on skills related to empathy, respect, and concreteness. Lecture, video and rehearsal of various counseling techniques and interventions help students develop knowledge of and facility in fundamental skills needed to conduct therapy. Students learn how their individual characteristics and behaviors influence the systemically interactive counseling process.
DM 843. Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (Three hours)
This course surveys primary current theoretical approaches to psychotherapy and demonstrates how theory relates to the practice of Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy. The historical components of these theories are examined for their continuing impact on the delivery of mental health services.
DM 844. Advanced Marriage and Family Therapy (Three hours)
This course is designed to familiarize the student with general systems theory and a broad range of established family systems models that have shaped the practice of couple and family therapy. Students learn to apply systems theory to family development and process. Theory and technique will be reviewed to assist the development of process skills necessary for addressing the multiple dynamics associated with counseling couples and families. Students explore their own family development by preparing a three-generational genogram.
DM 845. Advanced Psychopathology and Treatment (3 credits)
This course covers the psychopathology in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The scientific bases of contemporary theories and research regarding psychological disorders and mental disorders will be studied. The history of diagnostic classification and socio-cultural implications of mental disorders will be explored. The course focus on theoretical perspectives and current research to psychopathology. Students will learn about the types and causes of mental disorders, their assessment, treatment, and related research in psychotherapy for the disorders.
DM 846. The Genesis from Minister’s Viewpoint (3 credits)
This course is to study the major thrust of biblical teachings in the book of Genesis from the viewpoints of the ministers of the 21st century who everyday face church members living among neighbors who seek pluralistic sense of values and focus on how church members can overcome non biblical thoughts and way of life.
DM 847. Effective Ministry in the Small Church (Three hours)
Students in this course examine the importance of the small church in Christian history and its unique characteristics. The course focuses on learning the culture of the small church. Special emphasis is given to the small church in a rural setting. Students develop a model of ministry that is appropriate in helping the small church to be more effective in its ministry.
DM 850. Mission and Ministry in a Global Context (Three hours)
This is a study of intercultural mission, global Christianity, and contextual theology. Students explore the missional identity of the church and practical strategies for engaging the world. The course also aims to promote understanding of global trends in Christianity and mission, develop missional strategies for their own context, and reflect theologically on justice, evangelism, and cultural engagement.
DM 890. Doctoral Ministry Project Writing (Six hours)
This project writing equips Doctor of Ministry students to plan, research, and write their final ministry project. Emphasizing practical theology and applied ministry, students will refine their project proposal, conduct focused research, and develop a substantial portion of their doctoral paper. The course includes faculty mentoring and peer feedback to ensure academic and ministerial excellence in the final project.