Course Requirements: Pastoral

Pastoral Care

This course will teach you by principle and practice, why, what, and how to minister life and comfort to the sick, bereaved, shut-ins, and disabled (handicapped). Compassion, knowledge, and delegation are the keys to success which you will learn. This course is a preparation for each student’s practical work in the later part of the year.


The Heart of the Pastor

This is a survey of the book of I Thessalonians 1-3, focusing on what those chapters reveal about the establishing of this strong body of believers. This study will also teach much about the heart of Paul in regard to his “pastoral” care and ministry to the local church.


Practical Ministries Workday

Each Friday for two quarters will be a Practical Ministries Day, in which the students will be assigned to various areas and departments within Grace Church. (The workdays are held within the class time period.) In this way, you will be able to learn in an on-the-job environment. This will involve hospital ministry, working and/or observing in administrative office areas, counseling, facilities maintenance, our Word Shoppe, the printing room, and the Christian School.


Principles of Teaching

This is an exciting and fascinating video series: Teaching with Style. Produced by the renowned Walk through The Bible organization, it is absolutely the most useful and practical course on “teaching” that I have ever studied from. Based simply upon the principle that we have not taught if our students have not learned, it will challenge, encourage, instruct, and impact you. If your call of ministry includes teaching, you need this course.


Local Church Ministries

The basics of starting an Adult Education program, developing a dynamic teaching staff, member care through the Sunday School Program, and community outreach will be taught. This course teaches the practical procedures developed and applied at Grace Church.


Patterns of Godliness

This inspirational and instructional class is designed to exhort the students to live a dedicated and godly life by using numerous Bible personalities as our examples. The instructor will lead you into a study of both well-known and obscure individuals, revealing the principles we can learn from their lives. These classes will also familiarize you with the basics of the study of “types, shadows, and symbols” in both the Old and New Testaments.


The Glory of Grace

There is no greater doctrine revealed in the Word of God than that of God’s grace. This course will focus on that doctrine, building on the material taught in Sound Doctrine. Grace is the foundation of our salvation, our faith, our sanctification, our assurance, and our security.


Restoration Counseling

The challenge for churches has always been how to best help the church body when it is hurting. This class will focus on the need for developing programs, procedures and volunteers to reach, train, and disciple others in their Christian walk. Topics covered are: Ministry to the Homosexual (The nature and causes of homosexuality and other sexual disorders will be taught and myths about the subject will be compared to the biblical truth of God’s plan of healing and restoration); Beyond Homosexuality (This will cover the process of change and what obstacles must be faced by the individual leaving a homosexual lifestyle; individuals will share their personal experiences and victories in building a strong family and ministering together); AIDS and the Church (A specialist in communicable diseases will discuss the topic of AIDS).