Introduction to Church Music

MUMIN 3312/5312

What is the role of music in the Church? What does the lay leader or pastor need to know about worship planning, appropriate use of music and philosophy of music ministry? Such questions will be addressed as students receive an orientation to church music in both traditional and contemporary settings within the church. This course will equip the student to meaningfully participate in enhancing and enriching the use of music in ministry, especially in congregational worship. 2 hours.

Theology of Worship

WRSHP 3312/5312

This course emphasizes worship as the ultimate opportunity for Christians to communicate with their Creator. It will focus on the “who” and “how” of worship since our view of God directly impacts how we approach Him. What is God’s own plan for worship? This course answers this question and more by examining what is essential to worship – and what is not – based upon Scripture. This course will equip the student to meaningfully participate in enhancing and enriching the state of congregational worship. 2 hours.

Evangelism and Church Growth

EVANG 3312/5312

This course is designed to help students construct a theology of evangelism based on biblical and theological foundations, that enables them to help churches develop programs of evangelism appropriate to contemporary culture. It includes a study of the basic components of the message and technique of Christian witness, and discussions on how churches grow qualitatively and quantitatively. Students will be encouraged and guided to develop a lifestyle that reflects habitual faithsharing and a commitment to the Great Commission of Jesus. 2 hours.

Cross-cultural Witness in the Gospel and Ministry

EVANG 6412

This course addresses cross-cultural issues that confront Christian witness in urban ministry today. The question of how we can minister cross-culturally in a post modern world will be given particular focus. The student will be challenged to derive a missiological theology appropriate to the Singapore context by exploring several biblical texts in their historical, social and cultural settings; and by researching the diverse cultural and sub-cultural perspectives found in urban society. 2 hours.

Baptist Missions

INTCS 3412/5412

This course is a historical survey of the last two centuries of Protestant missions, with special attention given to Baptist missionaries and mission agencies. It will include a study of pioneer Baptist missionaries, an introduction to Southern Baptist missions, and evaluations of current mission strategies. 2 hours.

Theological Issues in Missions

INTCS 5422

This course will introduce and explore the most pressing theological issues in Christian missions today for the purpose of helping mission leaders develop critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating trends in missions and for well-informed missionary practice. 2 hours.

Cultural and Strategic Issues in Missions

INTCS 3432/5432

This course will introduce and explore the most cultural and strategic issues in Christian missions today for the purpose of helping mission leaders develop critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating trends in missions and for well-informed missionary practice. 2 hours.

Anthropology for Missions and Evangelism

INTCS 3462/5462

A study of cultural anthropology as it relates to the missionary enterprise. The course will provide insights into the missionary’s encounter with worldviews, thought structures and cultural roles of a host culture, and give attention to the principles needed for effective cross-cultural communication of the gospel. 2 hours.

Ethnographic Field Research

INTCS 3472/5472

This course prepares the participant to conduct field research using systematic study and recording methods oriented toward cross-cultural mission. Students will develop skills in gathering, recording, and analyzing data. Masters level students will have the additional task of developing suitable followup steps for pre-evangelistic work. 2 hours.

Chronological Bible Storying

INTCS 4512/6512

Designed for ministry and gospel witness in a cross-cultural setting, the course will focus on how to communicate biblical revelation most effectively in various cultures. An analysis of worldview and the learning patterns of oral communicators will provide the basis for an integrated approach to communicating scripture through Bible stories. 2 hours.

South Asian Religions

INTCS 4522/6522

This course will introduce the major doctrines, history, central themes and practices within the Asian religious traditions of Hinduism, Islam, Jainism and Sikhism. Particular focus will be placed on how these religious traditions developed in South and Southeast Asia. Each section of the course will conclude with a determination of how the evangelistic challenge can be undertaken in the light of the contemporary situation of the religion being studied. 2 hours.

East Asian Religions

INTCS 4532/6532

This course will introduce the major doctrines, history, central themes and practices within the Asian religious traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism and Shinto. Particular focus will be placed on how these religious traditions developed in East and Southeast Asia. Each section of the course will conclude with a determination of how the evangelistic challenge can be undertaken in the light of the contemporary situation of the religion being studied. 2 hours.

Tribal and Folk Religion

INTCS 4542/6542

This course is a study of religious beliefs and rituals of common folk, particularly those related to spirits, ancestors, magic, divination, witchcraft, shamanism, and other phenomena, from both biblical and anthropological approaches. Attention is given to developing a biblical response to these beliefs in the context of missions. 2 hours.

The Minister of Missions

INTCS 4612/6612

This course will equip students to fulfil the role of a church minister of missions or a mission administrator in an agency setting. Students will learn to develop a theology of ministry; design, implement and oversee church planting strategies; manage resources; and train and supervise personnel. 2 hours.

Music in Missions

INTCS 4622/6622

This course is a study of the role and functions of music in cross-cultural evangelism, and the development of indigenous music in missions. Students will be introduced to musical evangelism, basic concepts of ethnomusicology, and music ministry program planning. 2 hours.

Relief and Development Ministries

INTCS 4632/6632

This course will explore how missionaries can effectively minister to human needs resulting from human crises and natural disasters. Students will gain valuable insights into disaster relief work and the re-development of disaster-hit areas. Processes of planning, raising and managing resources, aid administration, training of personnel, and partnership of the relief worker with the national church leaders will be studied. 2 hours.

Introduction to Christian Mission

MISSN 3312/5312

This course is an introduction to help students understand the basis and primary issues of the missions mandate of the Church. Particular attention will be given to the biblical basis of missions from both Old and New Testament perspectives. The course will include a concise historical survey of the strategies and methods employed in missions, and an evaluation of current missionary endeavors in the Southeast Asian setting. 2 hours.

Christianity and World Religions

MISSN 3332/5332

This course is an introductory survey of the major living religious traditions, their beliefs, practices and worldviews. Special attention is given to compare and contrast with Christian beliefs and practices. The course will include lectures, student projects, and discussions pointed at understanding various religious mindsets for the purpose of building bridges for gospel presentation. 2 hours.

Introduction to Pastoral Ministry

PASMN 3313/5313

This course helps the student to understand the biblical-theological foundations of church and ministry. The various aspects of pastoral ministry are studied, and the practical issues and techniques related to pastoral functions are examined with an emphasis on discipling and caring of people. This course will equip the student not only with the why and how of pastoral ministry, but will also challenge him/her to examine seriously his/her calling. 3 hours.

Leadership and Management

PASMN 3352/5352

This course describes the fundamentals of management required for leadership effective towards promoting, enhancing and sustaining church growth. It highlights the biblical patterns of management that is required for effective leadership and which will serve towards providing support for the vision and mission of the church. Students will be taught on cultivating the ability to identify, formulate and manage appropriate structures that will help co-ordinate church personnel and resources into a complementary and effective whole. Case studies will form a necessary part of this course. 2 hours.

Christian Leadership

PASMN 3322

This is a study of the biblical teachings for effective Christian leadership. It highlights the principles of Christian leadership and their appropriate and effective application in the light of changing trends and mindset in church and society. Students will be helped to identify potential conflicts and crises situations and discover the issues underlying such, so as to activate pro-active and pre-emptive measures to lead the church in addressing challenges whilst perpetuating growth. This course seeks to equip the student with a leadership quality that is distinctively Christian and effective for leadership in the church. 2 hours.

Pastoral Counseling I

PASMN 3333/5333

This course offers students an overview of the field of pastoral counseling with a focus on Christian perspectives within the field, including Biblical insights and understanding that set the foundation for pastoral care and counseling, supplemented by some insights from psychotherapy. The course also covers the profile and mental state of an effective counselor as well as identifying and setting limits to avoid pastoral counseling pitfalls. Approaches include: case studies, directive and non-directive and role-play. Finally, students will learn the People-Helper Model skill and will apply the skill to work on problems currently prevalent in society. 3 hours.

Pastoral Counseling II

PASMN 3342/5342

This course is designed to provide the students with an overview of common counseling problems in ministry setting. Students will explore a variety of individual, family and group treatment approaches. Emphasis is placed upon the incorporation of Biblical concepts and methods of such ministry as they relate to contemporary concepts and methods. 2 hours.

Counseling Issues: Marriage and Family

PASMN 4212/6212

This course views the family relationship as an interactive system. The focus is on the family system, communication and function framework that produce dynamic and interactive patterns that may either produce positive and strong family traits that build up the family or symptoms and dysfunctions that break down the family. Family strengths are identified to serve as a model for foundation for growth and change for troubled families to work toward. Common problems such as depression, crisis, terminal illness, marital dysfunction and parent-child problems are studied, and treatment plans are developed by students working in teams. 2 hours.

Building Christian Homes in Urban Context

PASMN 4552/6552

This course aims at understanding and developing attitudes toward the impact of urban culture on family life. As the scope of family studies is very broad, the emphasis in this course will relate more to couples with dependent children. Prevailing trends in a highly urbanized society (like Singapore) that affect the family are surveyed and evaluated. The building and caring of Christian families are considered within the larger biblical-theological context. This course also looks at the principles that strengthen family life, and their practical implications on the Church and the Christian. The student will be challenged to promote and advocate strong family life by both words and works. 2 hours.

Counseling with Children

PASMN 4612/6612

This course surveys the growth and development of the child from birth to 12 years old. Emphasis is on physical, social, cognitive, emotional, moral and spiritual development from various theories in the field of psychology. Topics also include children’s appropriate and inappropriate behaviors based on their developmental stages, the roles of parents and parenting skills, and the implementation of behavior modification and positive discipline. 2 hours.

Youth Counseling

PASMN 4622/6622

This course offers students an overview of the generations of youth from the 1950s to the present. The students will learn how youth are affected by physiological, psychological, social and other changes in the various developmental stages. Students will also examine the characteristics and subculture of young people, current issues and struggles they face, and the Church’s role in responding to the challenges of adolescence in areas such as family and discipline, learning to relate and communicate, peer pressure, eating disorders and current youth concerns in the urban setting. 2 hours.

Crisis Counseling

PASMN 4472/6472

This course provides an in-depth understanding of the various kinds of crise encountered by pastors, lay leaders, care group leaders or those who are involved in care-giving ministries, who are called to a crisis situation requiring an immediate response. In this course, students will be taught to respond to people’s needs in crisis situations that deal with marital separation and divorce, family violence and abuse, illness and hospital emergencies, grief and bereavement, suicide, financial crisis and unemployment. Students will examine the biblical perspectives and principles for dealing with crises. Students will also explore various therapeutic interventions and skills from the affective, cognitive and behavioral theories as well as practices for confronting a crisis situation. 2 hours.

Managing Change & Conflicts

PASMN 6332

A study of the patterns of change, the factors involved and their consequential effects on the state of affairs of the churches. Students will engage with the fundamentals of effective change management and explore the primary causes of conflicts and their sources. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the issues of conflicts and the establishment of pro-active and pre-emptive measures. Topics include the patterns and process of change; change management; conflict causes and resolutions; identifying issues of conflicts; and leadership situations and structures that aggravate conflicts. 2 hours.

Managing Ministry Stress

PASMN 6342

This course examines the many emotional hazards in Christian ministry. Attention is given to the causes and management of stress arising from role conflicts, burnout, low self-esteem, anger and depression, shame and guilt. This course equips the minister to demonstrate a life of balance with healthy margins, and be an example to the people of God. 2 hours.

Psychology of Aging

PSYCH 4512/6512

This course is designed to help students understand the physical and psychological changes and adjustments that occur during the aging process, the changes in the individual’s role and personality that come with advancing age, and the life passages that deal with their own mortality and the mortality of their fellow beings. The study also includes the sociological aspects of aging so as to have a better understanding of elderly people. 2 hours.

Preaching I

PRCHG 3213/5213

The student learns to form the exegetical and homiletical outlines from a Scripture-text. He/she also learns the principles of structuring and delivering expository sermons, with emphasis on accuracy, clarity, sensitivity and relevancy. Attention will be given to preaching from Pauline epistles, and OT poetry and narratives. The course also requires the student to preach and be evaluated by the instructor and fellow students. Besides learning skills in crafting and delivering sermons, the student will also learn to be prayerful both in sermon preparation and delivery. 3 hours. Pre-requisites: OT and NT Background Studies, Hermeneutics.

Preaching II

PRCHG 3222/5222

This course is built upon “Preaching I”. Crafting a sermon through the process of formulating exegetical, theological and homiletical outlines and manuscripting will be reviewed. Special attention will be given to preaching from the Gospels, and OT narratives in Genesis and the Books of Samuel. Elements of delivery style and evangelistic preaching will also be examined. The course will culminate in the student preaching two sermons. The student will learn to be transformational in preaching by cultivating greater sensitivity and responsiveness to God in preparation, and by being clear, courageous, convicted and compassionate in delivery. 2 hours. Pre-requisites: OT and NT Background Studies, Hermeneutics, Preaching I.

Advanced Preaching

PRCHG 6322

This seminar-style course emphasizes advanced training in moving from exegesis to exposition, and from studying the text to sermonizing the text. Attention will be given to the finer points of sermon delivery and relevancy. The course includes critical evaluations of some classical and contemporary preaching. This course will help the student to be creative by challenging him/her to preach from difficult passages, or to preach in a fresh way from familiar passages. 2 hours. Pre-requisites: Preaching I & II.

Preaching from Biblical Narratives

PRCHG 6422

This course explores the art of storytelling as a preaching methodology. Different approaches to story/narrative preaching will be introduced and evaluated. The student will apply one of these approaches in preaching from an Old Testament narrative text. 2 hours.
Pre-requisite: Successfully completed Preaching I & II.

Educational Ministries in the Local Church

FOUND 3213/5213

The course is an introduction to educational processes and their integration into principles and practices of local church ministry. Special attention is given to the biblical and theological basis for the teaching ministry of the church, administrative leadership, human development, and organizational development of a local church educational program. 3 hours.

Principles of Teaching

FOUND 3302/5302

A study of principles and methods of effective Christian teaching. The course includes lesson plan development focusing on teaching for knowledge, understanding, attitude change, and Christian action. Students will have opportunities to practice teaching and to do video recorded evaluation. 2 hours.

Principles of Bible Study

FOUND 3312/5312

A study of principles and methods of Bible study and lesson planning for Bible teachers. The course focuses on understanding and application of selected principles and methods of Bible study, and introduces the steps in designing study lesson for Bible teaching. Students will also be introduced to the different study methods and the use of reference tools for good Bible study. 2 hours. Pre-requisite: Biblical Hermeneutics.

Educational Psychology

FOUND 4303

An analysis of major theories of learning in the context of Christian education, emphasizing the implications for Christian teaching. 3 hours.

Educational Philosophy

FOUND 4323

A study of the philosophies that shaped educational thought with an analysis of their influences on today educational practice. The students will formulate their personal biblically informed philosophy of education. 3 hours.

Introduction to Christian Social Ministry

FOUND 4812

This course will be an introduction to Christian social ministry within both congregational and community contexts. The course will explore the biblical and theological basis for holistic gospel ministry and for the role of the church in advancing and promoting social justice. Students will examine various models or programs of service, diverse population groups that might be a focus for ministry, and strategies for planning and implementing programs. The class will examine the dynamics of helping relationships with sensitivity to culture and difference, and to the role of evangelism and discipleship in these relationships. 2 hours.

Educational Ministries among the Different Age Groups

FOUND 4712 Children/ 4722 Youth/ 4732 Adults

An exploration of biblical, educational, and philosophical foundations for children (or youth, or adult) ministry. The course includes developmental issues, teaching and organizing, evangelism and discipleship, and family and generational issues. Emphasis will be placed on reaching them for Christ and helping them growth toward maturity. 2 hours.

Foundational Issues in Christian Education

FOUND 6212

A brief overview on the foundations of Christian education including biblical, theological, historical, philosophical, and sociological aspects. This course helps students to formulate their own concepts of education in church and mission settings. 2 hours.

Women in Ministry

ADUED 4222

A study of the theological, historical, and biblical foundations of women’s role in ministry. The course includes contemporary issues women face in church and society. Attention is given to the ways women minister effectively in the local church. 2 hours.

Group Dynamics

ADUED 4482

An in-depth study of the nature of groups and the psychological and social phenomena associated with groups. Special attention will be given to understanding the cognitive processes which underlie group interactions, and relating these processes to working with and in various kinds of groups, particularly in the local church. 2 hours.

Spiritual Formation

SPFRM 4002/6002

This course is designed to lead the student to honest introspection of one’s inner life, and healthy interaction with others, as guided by scriptural teaching. It aims to enrich the student’s understanding and experience of the Christ-led life, and of Christian formation in theory and practice. It examines issues of human personhood, and surveys the expressions of spirituality across various Christian traditions, and provides opportunities to practice the spiritual disciplines. The lecturer will emphasize both the ‘inner’ and ‘other’ disciplines through lectures, discussions, readings, and group exercises. This course seeks to help students discover and live out an authentic spirituality that will draw others to Jesus Christ. 2 hours.

Christian Autobiography

CHRLT 4012/6012

This course will introduce students to several classical and contemporary Christian autobiographies, shed light on autobiographical writing, and provide a forum for students to discuss the worldviews and points of views of the writers. The autobiographies of well known and lesser known Christians have been used by God to inspire many Christians in every time and place. The subjective approach of the spiritual autobiography enables the Christian reader to see self, faith and life from a perspective different from that offered by the more objective and disinterested forms of theological literature. 2 hours.

Introduction to Sociology

SOCIO 3012

This course introduces the student to a basic understanding of the essential sociological topics and ideas. The student is then challenged to use the insights from this understanding to attempt to address some ministry concerns from a larger biblical/theological framework. 2 hours.

Introduction to Psychology

PSYCH 4012/6012

This course offers students an overview of the field of psychology with emphasis on theories, methods and perspectives from the various schools of psychology. Topics included are: biological foundations of behavior, sensation and perception, learning, memory and cognition, motivation and emotion, theories of personality, and basic psychopathology and modification of behavior. Students will study psychology so that they can take advantage of relevant methods, theories, and other resources that do not conflict with Christian values and principles. 2 hours.

Human Growth and Development

HUMGR 3002/5002

A study of the spiritual, emotional, social, physical and mental development of persons, birth through adulthood. Students will become acquainted with major periods of development and learn the significance of preparing developmentally appropriate educational opportunities for each age. 2 hours.

Research and Writing

SGBTS 0102

The course introduces the tools and methods for theological and biblical studies. Students will understand the process of conducting literary search and the writing of formal papers following the Kate Turabian’s most recent edition, A Manual for Writers of Term Paper, Theses, and Dissertations. Instructions on how to write book review, analysis/reaction paper, summaries, research paper, and other types of writing assignments in seminary will also be given. 2 hours.

Thinking Methods

CRTHK 3492

Thinking Methods is designed to give the student an introduction to various critical thinking skills. The student will study rudimentary logic and its application to the evaluation and construction of valid arguments. The student will also become familiar with critical reading skills and how to evaluate information gathered from the Internet. Thinking Methods will prepare the student to critically evaluate books and articles in all theological disciplines. Upon completion of Thinking Methods, the student should also be better prepared to write sermons and conduct Bible studies that are clear and easy to understand. 2 hours.

Master of Divinity Thesis

The thesis to be undertaken is an academic research essay on a defined area of study. It is the student’s original research and writing produced under the supervision of a professor specializing in that area. The length of the thesis is between 15,000 to 20,000 words and it represents approximately 200 hours of work. Pre-requisites: The student must have completed at least 30 hours of course studies, including the Research and Writing Course, and achieved an average GPA of 3.0. 4 hours.