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The Tabor College Christian Ministries major means intellectual growth, intentional Christian discipleship, mentored character formation, and practical ministry training. Our goal is to equip and empower men and women for effective ministry in the church and in the world.

During the program, the Ministry Discernment Seminar offers a small group setting for reflection and interaction with peers in the process of discerning and sharpening a specific determination of God’s call.

In the Ministry Immersion option, another Tabor distinctive, students test and hone ministry skills for a semester plus a summer in a mentored church or mission experience.

The Associate of Arts Degree is designed for the student who desires a strong biblical foundation in preparation for further study at another college or effective ministry within the local church. A core of Bible, ministry, and general education courses enable the student to gain a solid foundation for life and ministry.

Total Program Requirements 64 credit hours

Bible Core 22 credit hours
Ministry Core 9 credit hours
General Education Core 30 credit hours
Electives 3 credit hours

Student Ministry Training 4 semesters

Course Outlines

Bible Core 22 credit hours
BI 131 Principles of Inductive Bible Study 3
BI 132 Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3
BI 133 Old Testament Survey 3
BI 134 New Testament Survey 3
BI 135 Doctrinal Survey I 2
BI 136 Doctrinal Survey II 2
BI 231 Pentateuch 3
BI 232 Life of Christ 3

Ministry Core Courses 9 credit hours
MN 191 Foundations for Life and Ministry 3
MN 192 Evangelism and Discipleship 3
MI 292 Missiology 3

General Education Core Courses 30 credit hours
CM 101 Speech 3
EN 101 English Composition I 3
EN 202 English Composition II 2
EN 203 Introduction to Literature 3
HI 202 Survey of Western Civilization 3
MA 202 College Algebra 3
PE 101 or 102 1
SC 201 Introduction to Meteorology 3
SS 102 Developing Interpersonal Relationships 3
SS 201 Marriage and Family 3

Electives 3 credit hoursStudent Ministry Training 4 semesters

The Bible and Ministry Certificate is designed for the student who desires a strong biblical and ministry foundation in preparation for effective ministry within the local church and community. A core of Bible and ministry courses enables the student to gain a solid foundation in preparation for Christian ministry.

Total Program Requirements 58 credit hours

Bible Core 22 credit hours
Ministry Core 14 credit hours
Bible or Ministry Electives 11 credit hours
General Education Core 11 credit hours

Student Ministry Training 4 semesters

Course Outlines
Bible Core 22 credit hours
BI 131 Principles of Inductive Bible Study 3
BI 132 Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3
BI 133 Old Testament Survey 3
BI 134 New Testament Survey 3
BI 135 Doctrinal Survey I 2
BI 136 Doctrinal Survey II 2
BI 231 Pentateuch 3
BI 232 Life of Christ 3

Ministry Core Courses 14 credit hours
MN 191 Foundations for Life and Ministry 3
MN 192 Evangelism and Discipleship 3
MN 291 Christian Teaching Ministry 3
MI 292 Missiology 3
MN 294 Worship & Music 2

General Education Core Courses 11 credit hours
EN 101 English Composition I 3
EN 202 English Composition II 2
SS 102 Developing Interpersonal Relationships 3
SS 201 Marriage and Family 3

Bible or Ministry Electives 11 credit hoursStudent Ministry Training 4 semesters

Prepare for effective ministry
Explore the biblical, theological, theoretical, and practical dimensions of ministry.
Consider pursuing seminary or other graduate programs.
Apply new skills in a hands-on experience.

Complete your Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Christian Ministries
Earn 42 semester credits in the Christian Ministries major
Register once for the entire major
Attend class with a supportive group of busy adults who progress through the program together
Be evaluated primarily on written assignments, class discussions, projects, and small group participation
Schedule designed for busy adults
Take one course at a time (most three-credit courses last 5-6 weeks)
Meet one evening a week for 4 hours
Meet on Bethel’s campus (near the intersection of 35W and 694)
Attend class for approximately 18 months

The Christian Ministries program is designed for the person considering pastoralministry or a similar full timeministry(sometimes called a para-church ministry) for his or her life’s calling.

The primary emphasis of the degree is service-service to the Church and to the world through the Church. One who serves must know how to serve effectively; hence there are courses in applied theology. Among these are Homiletics and Theory and Practice of Pastoral Care. Other courses are designed to provide tools for effective ministry, such as Biblical Interpretation and Exegesis in the Biblical languages. The student must also know the world in which the service will be performed; hence there is a broad liberal arts element in the course of studies.

The B. A. in Christian Ministries is designed as a terminal degree, although many who complete it will do further study, such as seminary or a similar advanced degree in Bible, theology or related subjects. Students who have graduated from Bethel College in the past with a degree in Christian Ministries have reported that their studies here gave them an adequate foundation on which to build a graduate degree program.

If God has called you to ministry, or if you want to “test” a call to ministry, then Bethel is the place to be.

Statistics indicate that the average age at which people accept Christ as their Savior is sixteen. Youth Ministries graduates will be prepared to minister to adolescents at this critical life stage when the possibilities for evangelism and discipleship are so great. The Youth Ministries major is designed to give students the skills necessary for effective ministry to youth as well as an understanding of the broader context of youth ministry within the Church and the Christian family.

I. Division of Bible and Ministry [38 hours]

Part I. Bible Concentration: 17 hours
BI 205 Bible Study Methods 3 hours
NT 102 New Testament Survey 3 hours
OT 101 Old Testament Survey 3 hours
TH 302 Doctrine of Holiness 2 hours
TH 308 Teachings of Friends (for members of the Friends Church; other students may choose an NT or OT elective) 3 hours
3 hours chosen from: 3 hours
NT 241 Synoptic Gospels (3 hours)
NT 362 Acts (3 hours)
NT 356 Writings of John (3 hours)

Part II. Foundations for Ministry: 10 hours
CM 104 Personal Evangelism Seminar 1 hour
CM 107 Survey of Church Ministry 3 hours
MI 2083 Intercultural Ministry 3 hours
SL 101 Spiritual Formation I 3 hours

Additional Bible/Theology: 11 hours
BI 206 Hermeneutics 3 hours
TH 105 Basic Beliefs 3 hours
TH 304 Apologetics 2 hours
3 hours chosen from NT or OT electives 3 hours

II. Professional Ministry Courses [42 hours]
CM 222 Biblical and Historical Models of Ministry 3 hours
CM 355 Ministry Leadership 3 hours
CM 356 Ministry Management 3 hours
PM 412 Counseling for Christian Leaders 3 hours
PY 242 Interpersonal Relationships 3 hours
PY 335 Child and Adolescent Psychology 3 hours
SL 102 Spiritual Formation II 3 hours
YM 101 Introduction to Youth Ministry 3 hours
YM 104 Youth Culture and Trends 3 hours
YM 209 Youth Ministry Practicum 2 hours
YM 2122 Communication Strategies 2 hours
YM 301 Youth Ministry Programming 3 hours
YM 302 Camp Programming 2 hours
YM 403 Youth Ministry Internship 3 hours
YM 404 Senior Forum 3 hours

III. Division of General Studies [48 hours]
Communications: 12 hours
IT 101/02 Introduction to Computer Applications 3 hours
EN 101 College Writing 3 hours
EN 102 Research & Writing 3 hours
SP 201 Fundamentals of Speech 3 hours

Humanities: 6 hours
PH 205 Introduction to Philosophy 3 hours
3 hours chosen from Literature (LI) courses 3 hours

Social & Behavioral Sciences: 7 hours
EN 109 Personal Effectiveness 1 hour
PY 103 General Psychology 3 hours
3 hours chosen from: 3 hours
SS 201 Western Civilization I (3 hours)
SS 223 American History I (3 hours)
SO 211 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)

Science & Mathematics: 7 hours
3 hours chosen from: 3 hours
MA 102 Mathematical Concepts (3 hours)
MA 105 College Algebra (3 hours)
4 hours chosen from: 4 hours
NS 105 Biology with Lab (4 hours)
PS 105 Physical Science with Lab (4 hours)

Additional General Studies Requirements: 9 hours
PY 222 Individual and Family 3 hours
3 hours chosen from Literature (LI) courses 3 hours
3 hours chosen from: 3 hours
MI 223 Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)
PY 322 Social Psychology (3 hours)
SS 202 Western Civilization II (3 hours)
SS 224 American History II (3 hours)

General Studies Electives 7 hours
7 hours chosen from General Studies curriculum 7 hours
Total: 128 hours

Youth For Christ Credentialing
In partnership with Youth For Christ, Barclay College conducts and participates in YFC training opportunities that can be added to a Youth Ministries major and that can be used to obtain ministry credentials from Youth for Christ. Please inquire of the Youth Ministry Chairperson for further information. Students electing to complete YFC training may replace some or all of the General Studies electives noted above with YFC classes.

YFC Classes Available:
YM317 YFC Ministries (Sullivant Training) 2 hours
YM343 Directed Study (NYWC) 2 hours
YM419 YFC Summer Institute 1-6 hours
YM499 Directed Research in Bible and Theology 2 hours

Youth and Family Ministry – Course Descriptions
REL 100 or 300 is a prerequisite for all religion and youth and family ministry courses.

YFM 205 Topics in Youth and Family Ministry
Topics in Youth and Family Ministry feature a selection of half-credit courses focused in areas of special ministry interest, such as Outdoor Ministry, Service Learning, Program Planning, Youth Culture & Religion, Communications, Media, Music and Ministry, Ministry with Youth on the Margins, and similar offerings.

YFM 208 and 209 Vocational Formation
This course will offer a time for focused attention in a variety of areas, including career planning, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, administrative skills, and so on, as well as a time to feature guest speakers and workshop leaders. Vocational Formation meets at regularly scheduled intervals throughout the term.

YFM 235 Foundations for Ministry with Youth and Families
This course represents an introductory level study in which the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of ministry with youth and families are explored. Students will also be introduced to the principals of practical theology and learn the skills and sensibilities necessary for discerning what faithful ministry might look like in a specific location.

YFM 302 Ministry Practices
This course emphasizes the day-to-day sensibilities, skills, and practices needed for the grounding and guiding of ministry professionals. An exploration of the history and development of the spiritual practices of the Christian tradition, combined with modern practices used for effective ministry, make up the major themes of this course.

YFM 358 Life and Work of the Church
This course features an overview of the manner in which Christianity has carried out its mission throughout the centuries, as well as an exploration of the issues and challenges facing modern and “post-modern” churches. A central element of this course will be a research project that studies the methods and strategies of congregations and other ministry organizations in their efforts to introduce, nurture, and shape the Christian faith.

YFM 399 Internship
The internship centers around 150 hours of supervised leadership practice focused on youth and families, fulfilled in partnership with a congregation or other approved ministry setting. A formal learning agreement as well as the development of a professional portfolio round out the internship experience.

The Master of Arts in Practical Theology (also available through Online Learning¹) is a 60-credit hour professional degree for those who have been called to a variety of practical ministry settings which require foundational biblical studies and ministry skills. The program underscores the importance of balanced biblical and theological reasoning, which precedes and inspires works of effective ministry. Spiritual formation, coursework, research, internship and practicums are directed toward the development of practical solutions to ministry challenges. A number of practical theology tracks are available.

The M.A. in Practical Theology is two-thirds (60 credits) the number of credit hours as the Master of Divinity degree (90 credits) and is well-suited for those aspiring to various leadership positions within churches, parachurch ministries and nonprofit organizations. Such positions may include staff minister, missionary, Christian education director, youth minister, pastoral counselor, evangelist and small group (cell) ministry director. This program is also recommended for senior ministry staff seeking a sabbatical or refresher experience, bi-vocational ministers (e.g., a church planter who employs professional skills in the marketplace for financial support), and those serving in roles with tasks that may differ from those expected of traditional church leadership positions.

The Bible Department seeks to assist students to become biblically competent. The department aims to lead students to acquire a foundational and an intermediate understanding of the English Bible and, for the Biblical Language major, the Hebrew and Greek texts. The goal of the Bible Department is to provide the necessary education for students to equip them to carry out effective ministry in the church and parachurch organizations, graduate studies in Bible and related disciplines, and lifelong learning.

General Purpose of the Bible Department
(for non-Bible/Biblical Languages/Bible-Music majors)

The Bible Department will aim to facilitate the education of Moody Bible Institute students so that they can
Trace the story line of the Old and New Testaments
Explain the canonical structure of the sixty-six books of the Bible
Discuss the general historical and cultural background for the Old and New Testaments
Discuss the formation of the canon and acquire a firm conviction that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God
Model a lifestyle that is biblically informed and distinctly Christian

The Department of Religion and Philosophy offers the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries degree. The Christian Ministries degree program is built around a solid core of courses in general education, biblical studies, theology, and practical ministry which addresses the knowledge and skills essential to an effective ministry in the church.

You may choose the core degree program of Biblical-Theological Studies, or concentrate in the area of Biblical Linguistic Studies, Christian Education, or Youth Ministry.