Studies in Ministry Courses [490-555]

[219-320] [322-440] [490-555]

STMI-490. Preaching as a Folk and a Fine Art. 3 crs. Analysis of preaching design, development, and delivery in the perspective of the black experience and the black community.

STMI-498. Poetics and Proclamation. 3 crs. A theopoetic approach to preaching building on the experimental insights of James Weldon Johnson’s, "God’s Trombones," the aesthetical formulations of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Langston Hughes, and the hermeneutical suggestions of black, Third World and feminine liberation theologies. Assumes an introductory background in homiletics or sacred speech and seeks to establish a theological and exegetical grounding for communicating the Gospel. Emphasis upon identifying and utilizing the folk oral-aural elements of preaching as they rise to the level of a more conscious art and the ability to coordinate substance, style and spontaneity. The construction and delivery of at least two "symphonic Sermons” will comprise the major requirements.

STMI-500. Directed Study in Ministry (Doctoral level). 3 crs.

STMI-502. Advanced Pastoral Counseling. 3 crs. Practicum in cases and their analyses, with video taping sessions and interdisciplinary input from psychology and psychiatry.

STMI-503. Clinical Pastoral Counseling. 3 crs.

STMI-505. Doctoral Seminar: One. 3 crs.

STMI-506. Doctoral Seminar: Two. 3 crs.

STMI-507. Doctoral Seminar: Three. 3 crs.

STMI-508. Sexual Issues in Parish Ministry. 2 crs.

STMI-510. Pastoral Counseling and Needs Assessment. 3 crs. Pastor’s use of personality assessment and referral in determining the needs of persons who come to him/her for help. Church and community helping resources will be studied. STMI-515. Church and Community I: 2 crs. An investigation into the methods and styles involved in church leadership. Emphasis given to resolving conflicts within parishes. In addition, the development of church programs and effective means of administering church activities are discussed. Special focus varies each semester.

STMI-520. Churches in Transition. 3 crs. Seminar considering the cultural, economic, and theological dynamics that contribute to the ordeal of transitions for local churches and denominations, requesting blacks and whites to suggest models to aid in the creative transition process.

STMI-521. Frontiers in Ministry and Mission. 3 crs. An exploration of emerging aspects of mission in the contemporary church.

STMI-522. Professional Ministry Seminar. 3 crs. Focuses on the minister’s needs in preparing and maintaining a high quality of ministry. Issues treated are: (1) congregational nurture and care and recognizing the dynamics of the institutional setting; (2) conflict management; (3) the care and nurture of the minister and his family; (4) personal and professional assessment; (5) deepening of one’s spiritual resources; and (6) life development issues.

STMI-523. Urban Ministry Seminar. 3 crs.

STMI-525. Church and Community II. 3 crs. Crisis intervention is the task of every pastor. The goal of this course to provide cognitive constructs for improvement of skills in this vital area of ministry.

STMI-527. Crisis Intervention and Grief Counseling. 3 crs. Crisis intervention is the task of every pastor. The goal of this course is to provide cognitive constructs whereby the students improve their skills in this vital area of ministry.

STMI-528. Church Administration as Ministry. 3 crs. Focuses on the organizational and developmental aspects of the church’s ministry with special attention given to managing the church’s resources in the community. Utilizes both a theoretical and field approach to learning.

STMI-530. Theological Perspectives on the Contemporary Church. 3 crs. The contemporary church considered in the light of Scripture and the work of certain representative theologians - Wolfhart Pannenberg, Karl Rahner, and Juan Luis Segundo. Particular attention given to the involvement of the church in society.

STMI-536. Clinical Pastoral Education: Intermediate. 3 crs. Offers clinical pastoral field experience.

STMI-540. Clinical Pastoral Education: Advanced I. 4 crs. For D Min Students only.

STMI-545. Clinical Pastoral Education: Advanced II. 4 crs.

STMI-548. Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations. 2 crs.

STMI-550. Pastoring for the Social Crisis. 3 crs. This course will endeavor to heighten and sharpen the awareness of students to the social crisis facing this nation and the world with particular reference to black and poor oppressed peoples and the call upon the church to speak to those issues.

STMI-555. Urban Ministry Special. 3 crs.