Our pastoral theology modules begin by addressing the issues of the Biblical call (to ministry or to another sphere of service) and of personal spiritual growth. They move on to homiletics, Biblical counselling, church leadership and church planting. We also offer a series of modules which address the Christian's redemptive involvement in society at large.

Note: "PT" in the module codes stands for "Pastoral Theology". "CS" stands for "Christian and Society".

Biblical call; personal development (PT 1)

(15 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Explain the concept of Christian vocation as it applies to all Christians in general and to the pastoral office in particular. Give an account of one’s own vocation; pursue that vocation in a purposeful way.

• Explain the biblical basis of the call to pastoral ministry and explain how a person may know whether God is calling him to this work. Apply this knowledge to one’s own life, and to the lives of others.

• Explain why and how one’s own personal development is essential for effective ministry in God’s kingdom.

• Establish patterns of life that lead to growth in the following areas: relationship with God; relationship with other people; personal development; family life; daily schedule.

Preaching and corporate worship (PT 2A)

(15 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Define and explain expository preaching.

• Give a biblical and historical survey of the role and importance of preaching.

• Demonstrate an ability to select a text, and to formulate a sermon theme which is in harmony with the theme of the text.

• Demonstrate an ability to develop a sermon using explanation, illustration and application, while remaining focussed on the theme of the sermon.

• Compare and contrast expository, topical and textual sermons. Know when to use each type of sermon, and use each type of sermon in a way that is true to Scripture and appropriate to the context in which it is used.

• Explain the central principles of sermon delivery (relationship to God, oneself, the congregation; manuscript and physical environment); demonstrate an ability to preach effectively, especially in the local church context.

• Explain and apply the biblical teaching on corporate worship in the light of historical and contemporary understandings of it. Lead public worship in a God-centred, biblical, and meaningful way.

Biblical counselling (PT 2B)

(15 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Discuss some models for personal counselling. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each one according to Scripture.

• Discuss and apply biblical principles for helping people to grow in grace, overcome sin, and deal with the issues and problems of life.

• Plan and implement a counselling strategy, including: preparation for a counselling interview; how to conduct the interview; assignment of homework; follow-up and preparation for the next interview or series of interviews.

• Discuss and apply biblical principles for specific counselling issues (e.g. bereavement, marriage difficulties, etc.).

Effective pastoral oversight (PT 3)

(15 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Explain the nature and importance of pastoral oversight from Scripture and from the history of the church.

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the relationship between pastoral oversight and the perseverance of the saints.

• Explain and apply biblical principles for personal relationships, both in general terms and with reference to particular issues (e.g. how to prevent and deal with conflict). Demonstrate a growing maturity in one’s own personal relationships.

• Explain and apply the basic biblical principles of church discipline.

• Be aware of different models for personal counselling. Understand and apply biblical principles for personal counselling.

• Explain the biblical principles of mutual encouragement. Promote mutual encouragement in the local church.

Church leadership; church planting (PT 4)

(25 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Discuss historical and current trends in church leadership and church polity.

• Demonstrate a clear biblical and theological understanding of church leadership, including issues of polity, organization, qualifications, spiritual care, etc..

• Develop and implement a plan for the pastoral care of every member in a local church.

• Explain and apply biblical principle for various kinds of church meetings (e.g. congregational meeting, elders’ meeting, etc.).

• Demonstrate personal growth in one’s ability to exercise church leadership.

• Develop a plan for training and appointing leaders in a local church.

• Explain and apply biblical principles of church discipline, including some more difficult cases.

• Demonstrate a biblical, theological and practical understanding of church planting, including such issues as: strategizing and identifying an appropriate location; biblical and practical models of oversight; the role and methods of evangelism; developing local leadership and bringing a new church to autonomy.

Introduction to ethics; other religions; evangelism (CS 2)

(15 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Discuss various approaches to ethics; outline and defend a biblical approach.

• Explain and apply the ethical norms of the Ten Commandments.

• Explain the concept of a biblical world view. Identify and discuss the key elements of a biblical world view.

• Outline the fundamental beliefs of some major religions (emphasis given to Islam, African traditional religions, Judaism, Secularism, Hinduism, Buddhism).

• Explain and demonstrate a biblical and redemptive approach to interacting with people of other religions.

• Demonstrate a biblical and practical understanding of personal evangelism. Become active in personal evangelism.

The Christian, culture and society (CS 3)

(20 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Discuss various approaches to the Christian’s involvement in society (e.g. Reconstructionism, Pietism). Evaluate these approaches critically.

• Show how a biblical world view engages unbiblical world views (postmodernism, animism, etc.), and how a biblical world view can lead to the transformation of culture and society through the extension of God’s righteous rule over all the earth.

• Promote a biblical world view in one’s own culture and society through various means (e.g. newspaper, internet, community groups, etc.).

• Apply biblical principles to some important current ethical issues (e.g. wealth and poverty, work ethic, human cloning, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, adultery, pornography, homosexuality).

Cultural transformation, evangelism; missions; mercy ministry (CS 4)

(25 points)

This module will equip the student with the following skills:

• Write a research paper on one particular topic relating to the impact of Christianity on culture and society (e.g. government, the AIDs crisis, poverty, education).

• Discuss some models and approaches to evangelism. Evaluate them critically and biblically.

• Develop a biblically-based evangelism programme for a local church.

• Demonstrate a familiarity with current issues and approaches to missions.

• Develop a biblically-based missions programme for a local church.

• Develop a biblical theology of mercy ministry.

• Identify a few needs in one’s own community and write a project plan for a mercy ministry to address one of these needs.