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CHM 3115
Leading Effective Bible Studies
In this course you will prepare Bible passages for teaching, prepare original Bible study plans, lead effective Bible discussions, and
implement a variety of creative learning activities. Much of the course involves student-led Bible studies in which you will learn by doing.
You will receive detailed, supportive evaluative feedback from peers as well as the professor. You will also learn from one-on-one
appointments with the professor prior to your practice teaching. (3)
Prerequisite: MSD 2230
CHM 3140
Church Planting
This course is designed to assist you in understanding the theology, philosophy, and practical skills necessary to start a local church. You
will explore biblical, theological, sociological, cultural, and human factors related to the process of initiating, resourcing, cultivating, and
organizing a new church and will evaluate multiple church-planting conceptual models. (3)
CHM 3410
Message Preparation and Delivery
You will learn the mechanics of message preparation so God's Word can be taught with integrity and passion. You will learn how to
structure various types of messages and will receive practical tips for effective delivery. You will deliver original messages and critique
one another in a supportive environment. If you are not called to a preaching ministry, you will learn how to handle God's Word when you
speak to youth groups, ladies' forums, or venues outside of the church. (3)
CHM 4400
Practical Skill Developm t in Church Ministry
This course is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain competency and confidence in serving in a local church context.
Experiential learning requirements are defined and assessed by the program faculty. A minimum of 50 clock hours of direct experience is
required for a unit of credit. Advisor approval is required. (1)
Repeatable
CHM 4415
Church Ministry, Leadership and Administration
In this course you will focus on issues that will better equip you for responsible ministry positions. Broad subject areas include: (a) Bible
studies on leadership qualities and requirements; (b) a biblical philosophy of leadership roles within the local church; (c) leadership and
supervision from the book of Nehemiah; (d) planning, administration, and management of people; (e) problems that confront Christian
leaders; (f) changes and transition; and (g) interpersonal conflict. (3)
CHM 4510
Advanced Sermon Preparation and Delivery
In this course of advanced instruction concerning the preparation of expository sermons, you will analyze the sermons of some of the
great preachers of church history and have the opportunity to preach in class. (3)
Prerequisite: CHM 3410
CHM 4610
Ministry to Adults
In this course you will examine adult life cycles, focusing on how to enhance adult Sunday schools and how to minister to the unique needs
of segments of adults within the church (senior citizens, singles, divorcees, family units). You will discuss how to implement small groups
as a discipleship strategy and will explore mentoring strategies and principles of spiritual formation that help nurture adults in their
pilgrimage of faith. (3)
CHM 4710
Ministry to Elementary Children
In this course you will examine age-level traits and developmental tasks of children, along with their practical implications for teaching
and administering a children’s ministry department in a church or a children’s focus in a para-church organization. You will observe and
practice teaching methods suitable for preschoolers and elementary-age children and discover strategies to minister to parents and
teachers of children. You will discover how age-level traits affect evangelism of children and will hear from a number of guests who are
experienced in children’s ministry. (3)
CHM 4711
Preschool Ministry in the Church
This course introduces you to age-level traits through age 5, plus their implications for programming and teaching. You will explore the
characteristics of an effective nursery and ways to insure the physical and emotional safety of young children. You will identify Biblical
concepts appropriate for young children, see demonstrations of classroom approaches that expedite learning, and consider guidelines for
recruiting and training volunteers. Learning strategies will include hands-on projects with children, panels consisting of vocational
children's ministry staff, and on-site visits to church facilities. (3)
CHM 4712
The Church’s Ministry to Families
This course will introduce you to Biblical teaching on the family, with application to contemporary issues and needs. You will identify the
felt needs of parents as well as cultural trends that affect the spiritual nurture of children. You will become familiar with relational and
program strategies that equip parents for their role as the primary disciplers of their children. Learning strategies will include guest
presentations by church staff members and family counselors, parent interviews, and research on resource organizations that strive to
reach families. (3)
CHM 4930
Church Ministry Internship
This course provides you with a supervised training experience within a local church or with a para-church organization that focuses on a
particular population segment. You will receive hands-on experience as a way of discovering or honing your ministry skills and
encountering the reality of vocational work away from a university setting
.
(3)
Prerequisites: At least junior standing; completion f
minimum of nine semester hours of Church Ministry (CHM) courses.
216 │Columbia International University
Course Descriptions