God has chosen to do His work through the local church. The major in Pastoral Ministry is designed for the student who is called to local church ministry and leadership. A student who has completed the program will demonstrate the basic qualifications for serving as pastor of a local church and the foundation for a lifetime of developing ministerial skills.
OBJECTIVES
Students who complete the Pastoral Ministry curriculum will meet the objectives of the Division of Bible and Ministry, as well as the following objectives specific to this major.
Division Objectives: students will
Understand the need for, meaning, and practice of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bible and essential Christian doctrine, the ability to accurately interpret Scripture, and an increasingly coherent Christian worldview that enables them to apply biblical principles to questions of ethics, compassion, and all other life situations.
Exhibit a lifestyle that is characterized by simplicity, integrity, responsibility, and order which reflects concern for the social implications of the gospel and lends credibility to Christian testimony.
Demonstrate the basic knowledge and ability required to minister to others in their own cultural group and across cultural boundaries, utilizing appropriate technology and relevant forms of both written and verbal communication.
Demonstrate perseverance and commitment, and the ability to work productively both independently and in teams.
Develop the skills and understanding necessary for personal Bible study, prayer, and devotional life which can sustain and empower one’s personal life and ministry to others.
Demonstrate the ability to find, process, and apply information that is relevant to one’s Christian life and ministry through the exercise of both critical and creative thinking.