SWCU - Courses

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.COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
(All courses are for 3 credit hours and use the Bible as the foundational text.)

CG 5013/5023 Directed Studies

These courses give students the opportunity to do study and/or do field research in a selected area of professional interest. Three hours of credit may be awarded. A proposal for any directed study must be submitted and approved by the Dean. A course designation will be assigned appropriate with the area of study with the number 5013 or 5023. (For example: TH 5013 etc.)

GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES

CG 5103 Church Growth Principles

This course surveys the Biblical, theological, and sociological principles in a scientific study of church growth as first developed by Donald McGavran. Statistical analysis of the positive and negative factors of growth theories are applied to local congregations. Emphasis is placed on students' ability to do research methodology in order to develop healthy churches.

CG 5303 Small Groups and Community

This course is designed as a lecture-laboratory experience where small group principles and dynamics are applied towards building healthy, wholesome relationships and community. Various models of local church renewals through small groups and their use in planting new churches are examined.

CG 5323 (LEAD 5323) Skill Formation of a Leader

This course explores change agent roles, conflict management, decision making processes, and organizational dynamics needed by effective leaders in a local church. Character and other essential qualities for leaders are stressed along with the changing landscape of today's ministry.

CG 5423 Church Revitalization and Renewal

Students are trained to evaluate the 15 key factors essential to a healthy church. Keys are provided to break through growth barriers so churches are revitalized and renewed. Studies are made of demographic, geographic, and historic factors impacting the life of a church. Developing healthy churches that reproduce themselves is emphasized.

CG 5443 (PMIN 5443) Praise and Worship

This course is an investigation of the role of worship in the life of the Church, emphasizing the development of a theology of worship. Pentecostal-Charismatic worship and its place in growing churches are emphasized. Practical training is given in how to plan, lead, and flow in a worship service.

CG 5513 (PMIN 5513) Church Stewardship & Management

Stewardship of time, talent, treasure and temple are stressed in this course. The management, budgeting and financing for successful church life and ministry support are examined. A survey of the Biblical foundations of stewardship principles, fund raising and capital campaigns essential to resource growing churches are units included in this course.

CG 5523 (WE 5523) Church Planters School

This is an intensive, practical study of methodologies for church planting in the Urban U.S. and cross-cultural locales. Strategies are developed to reach and evangelize targeted people groups in these cities. This course is usually held in partnership with EVUSA and the Church Planters School.

LEADERSHIP

LEAD 5303 Spiritual Formation of a Leader

The processes of God in the development of Godly leaders are studied. Examples are drawn from the scriptures and life to provide case studies of God's ways. Patterns such as time lines, development phases, process items, convergence, gift mix, character formation, spiritual authority, and leaving a lasting legacy comprise units of this course.

LEAD 5323 (CG 5323) Skill Formation of a Leader

LEAD 5403 (PMIN 5403) Leadership Administration

Sound administrative principles and effective ways to lead the local church into a vibrant, dynamic community of faith touching and changing the world are examined. As part of a learning lab, field visits to dynamic local churches that demonstrate these characteristics are a vital part of the class. Church structure, government, budgets and finances, building and facility management, and outreach are also units in this course.

LEAD 5653 Emerging Destiny Patterns

A study of leadership development processes and phases leading to the discovery of purpose, personal destiny and focused lives are taught. Spiritual authority, character, focused lives and other principles are covered to enable leaders to finish well.

LEAD 5703 Equipping and Releasing Leadership

The leadership selection process, discipling, mentoring, and relational empowerment of emerging leaders are vital aspects of this course. The discovery of one's spiritual gifts and their release through various ministry opportunities enable the church to fully function as a dynamic body. Curricula for spiritual growth and life-development to facilitate the maturity of believers makes this a valuable course for local church life.

LEAD 5723 Personal Disciplines of a Leader

The personal growth and professional development of a leader are emphasized in this practical course. Characteristics of successful leaders are studied and applied to the leader's personal life. Growth goals, time management, and personal health of a successful leader are encouraged by becoming accountable to peers as part of the requirements of this course.

LEAD 5763 Bible Centered Leadership

An intensive study of selected New Testament books and passages to discover leadership principles comprise the core of this course. The objective is to stir the excitement of discovering concepts from God's word and motivate the student to become a life-long student of the Word.

LEAD 5783 Developing The Healthy Leader

This course assists students in establishing a good self identity through understanding who they are in Christ. Personal issues and practices are examined in light of God's word. Bondages from past heritages, models and thought patterns are overcome to bring freedom and fulfill destiny.

LEAD 5843 Profiles in Leadership

The lives of significant historical and current leaders are studied as to their development, personal lives, historical situation, significant decisions and legacy or contribution. This course allows students to be mentored by these case studies and apply concepts to their own leadership development.

LEAD 5863 Transformational Coaching

Basic types of coaching and mentoring are examined as part of the equipping model for emerging leaders. The value of relational empowerment is stressed so leaders develop their full potential and fulfill destinies. The constellation model of coaching/mentoring is stressed.

LEAD 5883 (PMIN 5883) Marketplace Ministries

Principles of city transformation, market place ministries and networking are studied as part of the total outreach and impact of the local church in a community or region. The role of apostles in the marketplace is stressed along with ways to build bridges to reach and minister to the needs of contemporary society.

LEAD 5953 Organizational Leadership Principles

Students are exposed to the ministries of a local church where effective leadership and organizational principles are demonstrated. Time management, master planning, goal setting, organizational structure, staff relationships and the establishing of a corporate culture for purposeful fulfillment of a vision are key aspects of this course.

LEAD 5983 Leading Apostolic Churches

The nature, characteristics, ministry opportunities, and impact of mega churches on a city, state or region as they bring transformation are studied on site. Attention is given to the organizational structure, corporate culture and apostolic leadership of these dynamic churches that are rising around the world.

LEAD 5993 Leading Large Churches

The nature, characteristics, development, organizational structure, ministry opportunities, and pastoral leadership styles of growing, large, full service churches are studied on site. Included is an examination of the impact these dynamic churches make on a city, region or state as they transform areas.

PASTORAL MINISTRIES

PMN 5403 (LEAD 5403) Leadership Administration

Sound administrative principles and effective ways to lead the local church into a vibrant, dynamic community of faith touching and changing the world are examined. Classes are held on the campuses of churches that demonstrates these characteristics. Church structure, government, budgets and finances, building and facility management, and outreach are also units in this course.

PMIN 5443 (CG 5443) Praise and Worship

PMIN 5513 (CG 5513) Stewardship & Management

PMIN 5673 Evangelism and Outreach

Various types of evangelism and outreach are studied to enhance the mission, growth and impact of the local church in a community. Outreach to all segments of society and ethnic groups are stressed. Practical field experience in a dynamic church is a vital aspect of this course.

PMIN 5713 Pastoral Care

This course seeks to integrate all the functions and practices of pastoral ministry into a wholeness for healthy individuals and the local body. Included are critical issues in counseling, different methodologies, and the pastor's personal relationships so integrity of life and ministry are safeguarded

PMIN 5773 Marriage and Family

Ministry needs of families across multicultural contexts and how to effectively minister to them is the focus of this course. Critical issues facing marital and family relationships in today's society, the family life cycle, and the leader's home and family needs are also covered.

PMIN 5853 Communication in Today's World

The procedures and preparations required for sound biblical sermons that communicate are studied. Included is the use of various forms of media so a connection and impact with various targeted audiences are achieved so the result is personal and social transformation. A biblical, Christian worldview in today's non-Christian world is emphasized.

PMIN 5883 (LEAD 5883) Marketplace Ministries

PMIN 5963 Equipping For Chaplain Ministry I

This is a basic course to prepare for the chaplaincy in a branch of the military services. Included is a study of biblical view of the military, ethics, social diseases, critical incident stress management and other topics.

PMIN 5973 Equipping For Chaplain Ministry II

This course is a continuation of PMIN 5963. This course deals with relationships and structure of the military, interfaith cooperation, denominational distinctives, combat duty, and ministry in a pluralistic society so the chaplain is prepared for service.

THEOLOGY

TH 5103 Spiritual Life/ Warfare and Ministry

The relationship between spirituality and ministry is studied with the goal of equipping students to function in ministry leadership with the strengths of a strong prayer life and spirituality. Setting priorities between personal, family, and ministry demands are examined. This course also explores aspects of spiritual warfare that are essential for a church to be effective so prayer and prophetic intercession in the church, city and nation are established.

TH 5303 Power Ministry for Today

This is a study of the nature and release of power ministry in the Bible as a norm for today. Signs and wonders, miracles, deliverance and inner healing, are evaluated in order to determine the place of power in ministry for today's world. Various models of ministry are examined so God's power is returned to His people and the Church.

TH 5413 Biblical Theology

This course is an examination of key contemporary theological concepts and doctrines of the Bible. Selected topics, contemporary issues and themes that are significant to Holiness-Pentecostal-Charismatic movements are studied.

URBAN MINISTRIES AND MISSIONS

WE 5103 Missionary Life and Practice

A study of the principles of itinerating, fund raising, gaining prayer support, networking, and mobilizing others for missions are vital dynamic aspects of this course. Relationships of missionaries to pastors, local churches, missions boards and others on the field are also examined. This class is usually held in partnership with the IPHC School of Missions.

WE 5203 Mobilizing the Local Church For Missions (MOST)

Topics include how to mobilize the local church with a global vision, praying for the harvest, targeting an unreached people group, training of leadership, raising missions budgets, conducting missions conferences, taking short term trips and giving the local church a world vision for the harvest. Usually held in partnership with MOST or a Missions Conference.

WE 5503 Ministering Across Cultures

The significance of cultural values and practices, language barriers, non-verbal communication, and other characteristics are covered to enable the student to bridge these barriers and strategically complete the Great Commission. Principles covered are applicable to the U.S.A. and the nations of the world.

WE 5523 (CG 5523) Church Planters School

WE 5743 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

This is an independent study course giving you the opportunity to discover what God is doing around the world and consider your part in His purpose. The course will help you understand God's plan for the world and possibly your life. It was designed and continues to be sponsored and developed by the Institute for International Studies of the U. S. Center for World Mission in Pasadena CA. The course is divided into four major sections: Biblical, Historical, Cultural and the Strategic aspect of missions.

WE 5853 Issues and Trends in World Evangelization

This course covers the major trends, both theological and strategic, in contemporary missions. These will be examined and evaluated in light of a Pentecostal perspective. The student will develop a strategy that will engage the issues and lead to greater effectiveness in reaching the unreached people groups of the world.

MINISTRY APPLICATIONS PROJECT (MAP)

This MAP project is the culminating capstone learning experience of the curriculum. It is coordinated with the student's present or projected ministry so immediate practical value is gained through the discipline of writing the project. The applications project is mutually worked out between the student, the MAP Director and the Dean.

The MAP must be in the area of the student's curriculum emphasis and will have one of the following designations for both MAP I and MAP II:

    CG 5803/5813 Growing Healthy Churches
    LEAD 5803/5813 Leadership
    PMIN 5803/5813 Pastoral Ministries
    WE 5803/5813 Urban Ministries/ Missions

Ministry Application Project I (CG 5803) presents a proposal of the project. The project proposal will include:

    a) the purpose of the project and the relationship to the student's ministry.
    b) a review of the current literature with annotations.
    c) a list of at least three outside field people that will provide wisdom in accomplishing the project.
    d) a timeline for completion of the total MAP project.
    e) completion of the Church Growth Analysis Workbook

Ministry Application Project II (CG 5813). This is the actual writing of the project incorporating the wisdom gained through the research of MAP I. The final evaluation will be based on the writing skills, the integration and incorporation of other course content, the wisdom from the field resource people, and the demonstration of a well thought through strategy and application to a specific area of ministry.