Academics

The congregational and ministry studies program offers a ministry leadership minor and a number of courses related to ministry studies.

These are designed to complement any major the university offers, and to equip you to bring your study in other areas into your ministry within the church. Students can take part in faculty-led research projects over the summer.

Courses offered in the Spring semester of 2022 are

CMS 251A Theological Reflections on Ministry Practices: Leadership (1) 

What does it mean to be a Christian leader? This one-credit course will help students develop as leaders through reading, reflection, and discussion on the nature of leadership, personal formation, and Christian vocation.  This course will engage students in understanding and using a range of leadership and personal development resources and help them assess their strengths and set goals for the future.  

CMS 251B Theological Reflections on Ministry Practices: Worship Planning Skills (1)

An introduction to basic virtues, skills, and knowledge for planning & leading Christian worship.  This course will apply theological principles to leading in prayer, reading scripture, speaking “in-between” words, choosing songs, and designing services. We’ll exercise pastoral virtues in planning and leading and perceive and empathize with diverse cultural approaches to worship. The design of this course is for students across diverse worshipping traditions interested in developing new skills but also for experienced students who desire to “get back to the basics” and hone their abilities.

CMS 374 Youth and Family Ministry (3)

This course provides a forum for students to investigate and evaluate a variety of models of ministry to youth. We will employ a variety of methods including, but not limited to, class discussions and presentations by both students and youth ministry experts on theological reflections of key issues associated with youth ministry. The course is specially designed for cross registration with students from Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary. Prerequisites: junior or senior status. The course is taught at Calvin Theological Seminary.

CMS 375 Ministry, Leadership, and Community Development (3)

A study of both the theology and methods used by church and parachurch organizations in local community development. Consideration will be given to developing a theology of leadership and service for local churches and ministries within their respective neighborhood and community. Particular attention will be given to the church office of deacon as a resource for church and ministry leadership and service. The course is an elective part of the Ministry Leadership Minor, and is required for students pursuing the community development emphasis within the minor.

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  Ministry Leadership

  Learn how to confront injustice and promote renewal in your community through faithful ministry.