Course Descriptions: Pastoral Theology & Evangelism

PTH/PCP 520 Contemporary Family Ministry
This course surveys the essential components of marriage and family counseling and parenting skills training. Its objective is to enable the minister, chaplain and family life educator to appropriately conceptualize family relationships and relational problems and to employ effective intervention strategies. Topics include: understanding the marital dyad, building healthy family relationships, and implementing effective parenting techniques. Students become familiar with relevant educational psychology theory to assist them in their ministry. (Approval from the counseling program director required for counseling students .)

PTH 528 Vision-Centered Leadership and Management
A thorough examination of church organizational structure with emphasis given to several key management challenges including: planning, team building, developing a clear sense of mission, shared values, and visionary leadership. Evaluation of church ministries as it relates to the church budget, the church board, and other key issues will also be explored.

PTH 530 Establishing New Churches
A study of the principles and procedures for establishing new churches. This course investigates the biblical basis for and the spiritual, social, and cultural dynamics of establishing new congregations. Special attention is given to the role of the Holy Spirit, thorough planning, and effective leadership.

PTH 535 The Pastoral Ministry
This course covers competencies required in contemporary Christian ministry in the Pentecostal tradition including rites and ceremonies; worship; administration; legal and financial issues; staff selection, supervision, relationships, and training; pastoral counseling; the minister’s family; personal issues; and relationships with the opposite sex.

PTH 540 Military Chaplaincy
A study of the United States Military Chaplaincy: its history, organization, requirements, and religious programs, along with selected issues relating to separation of church and state, nuclear weapons, religious pluralism within the chaplaincies, and related Constitutional issues.

PTH 541 Industrial and Institutional Chaplaincy
A course designed to acquaint the student with the opportunities and responsibilities related to nonmilitary chaplaincy ministry. Attention will be focused upon ministry to individuals within their vocational context, such as found in the industrial and law enforcement settings.

PTH 542 Women in Ministry
A biblical, theological, and practical study of the role of women in Christian ministry. Particular attention is given to the ministry of women in the Assemblies of God.

PTH/MHT 544 Spiritual Formation of the Leader
A study of the spiritual dynamics in the growth and service of the minister with emphasis upon the role of the Holy Spirit and personal practice of the disciplines of Christian life.

PTH 545 Ministry Development Seminar
A five-day learning experience for the participants in the M.A. in Christian Ministries degree program designed to integrate the spiritual, psychological, and professional dimensions of their lives and ministries. (Must be taken before the completion of 15 hours in the degree program.)

PTH 546 Contextual Education
A supervised field-based practical learning experience in the M.A. in Christian Ministries degree program which provides opportunity for reflection on the theology and practice of ministry within a variety of settings. (Prereq: Ministry Development Seminar (PTH 545), 15 hours of Foundation and Core courses, 6 hours in area of concentration.)

PTH 547 Integrative Project
An individualized learning experience under the supervision of an assigned AGTS adviser in which the participant completes the research and writing of the final integration paper for the M.A. in Christian Ministries degree program.(Must be taken within the last 15 hours of the degree program.)

PTH/MCS 548 Jewish People and the Local Faith Community
(See MCS/PTH 548.)

PTH 549 Small Group Ministry
This course develops a biblical and practical understanding of small groups. It examines principles and guidelines for developing and leading them, as well as models of small group ministries. It provides extensive participatory and leadership experience in various types of small groups. In addition, it evaluates the materials available for small groups, and provides training in developing fresh content and customizing existing resources.

PTH 551 Effective Evangelism and Assimilation
A study of our changing cultural landscape and the challenges facing the church within an emerging postmodern context. Emphasis is placed on understanding the unchurched today and how the church can more effectively be a witness, through the application of biblical principles, to reach and assimilate people into the church.

PTH/MSS 552 Approaches to Muslims
(See MSS/PTH 552.)

PTH 553 Personal Dynamics of Leadership
This course examines the development of the sense of self and its impact on ministry effectiveness. It presents a development perspective on the leader's marriage and family roles, including Christian perspectives on sexual behavior. Attention will be given to the cultural, familial, intrapsychic and spiritual dynamics that influence this self understanding.

PTH 554 Relational Dynamics of Leadership
This course investigates the dynamics of significant relationships in the life of the leader and looks at the skills for developing and maintaining healthy relationships.  Finally, it provides an introduction to short-term counseling and equips leaders to deal with common behavioral problems.

PTH/MCS 556 Field Education Research Project
This course is designed for students pursuing the Master of Divinity or M.A. in Christian Ministries. It requires significant research in biblical and contemporary literature in relation to ministry praxis in a local church or parachurch context. It leads to the production of an integrative, field-based writing project. See Field Education Research Project Manual. Note: This summative course should be taken during the last year of study.

PTH 611 Sexual Integrity in the Church (1 credit)
This course will provide an opportunity for focused reflection on contemporary issues
surrounding sexual integrity and what ministers can do to maintain integrity in their
personal lives, in their ministry organizations, and among those they serve. The goal of this
course is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the unique challenges facing ministers, as
well as an appreciation of the potential ministry opportunities available for those desiring to
take a proactive stance in addressing this critical area of concern.

PTH 612 Leadership Teams (1 credit)
This course will provide an introduction to the importance and workings of teams in
leadership. Specifically, the course deals with the nature of leadership teams, developing
teams, coaching and fine-tuning teams, and diagnosing dysfunctional teams.

PTH 613 Engaging the Millennial Generation (1 credit)
This course reflects on the emerging Millennial culture and what the Church must do to
engage it. It facilitates a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Millennial world in
order to produce greater ministry effectiveness within contemporary youth culture.

PTH 614 Hospital Ministry (1 credit)
This course provides a foundational understanding for working with patients, families and
staff in a healthcare setting. It will contribute to a sense of calling, confidence and
competence in healthcare ministry for ministers.

PTH 615 How Children Learn (1 credit)
This course provides an overview of current research being done in human learning
development and its impact on childhood education, and especially on children’s ministry in
the church. Cultural influences, contemporary ministry trends, development of resources and
age appropriate lesson preparation will also be considered.

PTH 620 Ministry in Emerging Culture
This course explores the innovations needed to be a missionary to post-Christian America. Leadership arts will be developed to: (1) read and interpret culture; (2) live and communicate cross-culturally; (3) grow organic, missional ministries; (4) learn from emerging ministry models; and (5) live a Pentecostal spirituality in a postmodern context. Sessions are multimedia and interactive.

PTH 621 The Practice of Charismatic Ministry
This course explores the role of leadership in corporate Pentecostal experience. Charismatic leadership is understood as: (1) a sociological phenomenon in the Pentecostal movement; (2) an outcome of the leader’s personal spirituality; (3) cooperating with the Spirit in power ministry; (4) the responsibility of balancing openness with accountability; and (5) equipping the Church to operate in signs and wonders. Sessions are multimedia and interactive.

PTH/THE 622 Communicating Christian Faith in a Pluralistic Society
This course develops a comprehensive understanding of the individual and societal relevance of the gospel in order to enhance its proclamation to the contemporary world. It supports the validity of Christian faith, through evaluation of experiential, scientific, sociological, historical, and biblical evidences. It also helps leaders to meaningfully engage contemporary religious and secular worldviews and to respond to major objections to Christianity. Distance Learning (DL) option available.

PTH 623 Effective Relationships in Ministry
A biblical and practical study focusing on the development of positive relationships with staff and board, among members, and with the unchurched. The influence of temperament, self-esteem, assertiveness, and maturity will be considered. Aspects of relational leadership will be explored, including credibility, motivation, empowerment, teams, servant leadership, situational leadership, and mentoring. This course will also examine relational challenges such as difficult people, reaction to change, conflict, cultural-ethnic differences, and sexual temptation.

PTH 624 Leading Change and Revitalizing Ministries
A study of the dynamics of church planning and church growth focusing on the psychological and sociological hindrances to lay participation. Attention is also given to approaches which may assist in the revitalizing of the ministries and growth of the local church that has experienced declining effectiveness.

PTH 625 Effective Leadership
This course focuses on the dynamics of leading healthy, growing churches and ministries. Participants will assess and develop skills in major components of leadership including: 1) leadership character and spirituality; 2) vision and vision-casting; 3) relationships and influence; 4) effective leadership styles; 5) key leadership skills; and 6) maximizing God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Current leadership theories and their implications will be evaluated in the light of Scripture.

PTH 626 Conflict Resolution in the Church (1 credit)
An examination of biblical principles in regard to human relationships, as well as subjective and situational factors involved in the perception and negotiation of mutual understanding, fairness, compromise, conciliation, and cooperation.

PTH 628 Legal Issues For Churches and Clergy (1 credit)
A course designed to acquaint ministering persons with substantive legal issues of special relevance to churches and clergy.

PTH 632 Worship in the Church
An investigation of the role of worship in the Christian congregation with a view to developing a theology and philosophy of worship. Includes a study of worship in the Old and New Testaments and in the history of the Church. The distinctive elements of sacramental, word-centered, and Pentecostal worship are explored.

PTH 633 Leading the Smaller Church (1 credit)
A course designed to deal with the concerns of ministering effectively to a smaller congregation. Emphasis is upon the development of lay resources and the adaptation of departmental ministries to smaller group situations.

PTH/PCS/BTH 635 The Theology and Practice of Spiritual Gifts
(See BTH/PCS/PTH 635.)

PTH 638 Practicum in Prison Ministry
An opportunity for the student to be involved in ministry in a correctional institution under the supervision of the prison chaplain. Includes the writing of critical reports and verbatims. Nine months prior approval required to allow for security clearance. Prereq: Counseling Essentials I (PCP 548) or equivalent.

PTH 639 Practicum in Pastoral Ministry
Study under the supervision of a local minister to give the student exposure to the many facets of the pastoral ministry as well as an opportunity to share in that ministry. Prereq: Personal Dynamics of Leadership (PTH 553) or Relational Dynamics of Leadership (PTH 554).

PTH 640 Specialized Studies in Practical Theology
A course offered, as the need arises, to deal with a specific topic or issue in the area of practical theology.

PTH/THE 642 Theology of Prayer
A course designed to study the theological foundation for prayer. There is specific emphasis on both the corporate and private nature of prayer.

PTH/MCS/MHT 643 Anthropology and Communication in Theological Perspective
(See MHT/MCS/PTH 643.)

PTH 644 Teaching Church Practicum
The teaching church practicum involves a two week visit to an AGTS-certified church. Students will be assigned in groups of two-to-four persons to experience the inner workings of highly successful local churches. The centerpiece of the experience will consist of twenty hours of personal contact time with the senior pastor of the church, and will also involve activities with staff members and lay leaders of the congregation. The practicum requires a pre-session orientation, completion of assigned readings and the keeping of a journal of the experience. A final paper will be prepared on the basis of the journal, the readings, and the activities of the practicum. It will be discussed in a post-session assessment at AGTS.

PTH 646 Practicum in Military Chaplaincy
A supervised field introduction into the work of military chaplaincy. It gives students exposure to many facets of military chaplaincy as well as an opportunity to share in that ministry. It is recommended that PTH 540 be taken before PTH 646. Prereq: By military appointment only.

PTH 649 Institute of Campus Missions
An intensive 3-week program in campus ministry for persons anticipating or already working in this field of service. Offered in conjunction with the College Ministries Department of the Assemblies of God Home Missions.

PTH 650 Building a Disciple-Making Ministry
A thorough study of the process and means involved in developing disciples, based on the model of Jesus and the early Church. This course also provides a holistic examination of the attitudes and actions of a disciple in the areas of spiritual life and service, daily living, relationships, and personal growth.

PTH/MSS 651 Dynamics of Mentoring
(See MSS/PTH 651.)

PTH 652 Writing for Ministry and Publication
This hands-on course explores the keys to superior writing—including the development of
strong content, engaging style, creativity, and editing skills. Receive critique from peers and i
nstructor on your writing samples. Gain insights for marketing and submitting your work to
increase the chances for publication.

PTH 653 Leadership in Ministry
This course provides students with essential skills for leading ministry. It covers personal and organizational leadership issues.

PTH/MCS 654 Pentecostal Perspectives on Justice, The Church and Society
This course is designed to introduce the Christian leader to the socio-political issues that are likely to impact ministry on a local level.   Ministry does not happen in a vacuum, and is impacted by community factors such as poverty, human injustice and social change.   Various sociological themes will be pursued from an integrated biblical perspective.   These themes include an understanding of social institutions and social deviance.   The course will pursue issues such as crime, poverty, social inequality, conflict, aging and urbanization.   Special attention will be given to the role of the local church as a community change agent and how faith-based organizations relate to government. Distance Learning (DL) option available.

PTH 656 Ministry in Trauma, Crisis and Grief Contexts
This course assists pastors, chaplains, counselors and other helping professionals develop a practical theology of trauma, crisis and grief related to biblical, cultural, and psychological insights.  It encourages coming to grips with spiritual crisis issues in one’s own life.  It helps the student offer pastoral care to people and their families affected by trauma, crisis, terminal illness and bereavement.  It provides practical techniques and strategies for ministry in crisis situations.

PTH 657 Specialized Studies Practicum
This course provides a specialized practicum experience for students who wish to do the field-based learning component of their degree program in a setting not stipulated by the general practicums noted in the catalog.  Under the supervision of a qualified person, approved by the academic dean, the student will perform the duties associated with this specialized environment in a manner consistent with the guidelines for all other practicum experiences.  Students in the M.Div. program who are required to take 6 practicum credits will be limited to one specialized practicum.

PTH 658 Advanced Pastoral Care and Counseling
This course is intended for pastors, chaplains and family life educators who are preparing themselves to manage the variety of personal and inter-personal adjustments that people in their communities face. It will provide an introduction to the life-cycle approach to ministry and will assist the pastor to make pastoral assessments and referrals for people who are experiencing disruptive psychological crises. It will also provide pastors with an introduction to the literature that deals with some of the most disruptive community issues that have a detrimental effect on the families in their community.

Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2012 9:46 AM