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Ministerial

MINISTERIAL PROGRAM (Level 200 & 300)

      The Ministerial Program consists of 90 units/credits: 30 from the Pre-Ministerial Program which is the base for the following 60 credits of courses listed in the following pages.  The courses are done in semesters and are grouped together by 5 areas of ministerial formation.  Each course consists of either 2, 3, or 4 academic credits.  One year of a supervised internship is required in order to complete the program.  Those who aspire to study in CHET should be able to count on the support of their church and will need to have an interview with the Academic Dean.  The Evangelical Covenant Church considers graduates of this program ready to begin the process of ordination.

      The Ministerial Program is designed in such a way that as the students assimilate the information they will be polishing and perfecting their ministerial abilities.  These skills are practical abilities that the student acquires during the formation process.  They are tools that are used in order to reflect on ministerial action with the purpose of achieving integration of theory with practice, with theology and the pastoring.

      The development of skills is key to the formation of the student.  Developing abilities is a complicated job.  It depends upon the aptitude as well as the attitude of the professors and students.  Achieving an integral education model requires preparedness, discipline, patience and time.  CHET is committed to developing an “integral curriculum” for the Ministerial Program.

      The abilities are expressed in the objectives of every course and they are organized around the following ten groups.  The first three abilities are connected to the development of the person as minister and they are present in all of the courses.  The following three (4-6) have to do with the ability to articulate oneself both verbally and in writing.  The rest (7-10) are abilities connected with the role of pastor.

   1. Spiritual Maturity

   2. Ethical Discernment

   3. Critical and Reflective Thinking

   4. Written Expression

   5. Oral Expression

   6. English Language Ability

   7. Pastoral Administration

   8. Leadership

   9. Music and Worship Leading

 10. Counseling and Pastoral Care

BIBLE (B)

At the heart of the Christian faith is the conviction that God has acted in human history for the salvation of human beings.  The testimony of this salvific action that culminates in Jesus Christ is the Bible that we confess to be the Word of God.  CHET is committed to helping God’s servants understand and proclaim His Word.  We believe in the importance of training ministers who interpret the Bible in the light of the historical context and of theological truths.

THEOLOGY (T)

A minister of Jesus Christ needs to build an integrated understanding of the gospel for this day in age.  It is essential to study diverse and influential sources that have become a part of the doctrinal expression of the church in its development.  CHET is committed to articulating an ethical understanding of the gospel and its current implications in order for students to develop an ordered and structured theological posture that will help guide them in their ministry work.

HISTORY (H)

The minister needs to have an understanding of the diverse contexts in which the church has responded to God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.  A study of the church from its foundation in the apostolic era until the current era (around the world and with an emphasis in Latin America and Hispanics in the United States) provide the minister with the tools for an understanding of the universal church.  A course about the history and theology of the Covenant Church is offered and is required for students of ECC denomination.

CONTEXT (C)

We live in a time of rapid and profound social changes.  The church is called to give a reason for its faith to this generation that struggles between the affirmation of all ethnic and linguistic identities on the one hand, and the imposition of cultural globalization on the other hand.  CHET is committed to exploring, together with its students, creative ways in affirming the Hispanic American identity, and at the same time facilitate the integration of immigrants and their descendants into the American society.

The goal of the Ministerial Program is to equip men and women who have been called by God and have gifts to plant new churches and/or pastor a congregation that is a part of its community and connected to its denomination.  In order to achieve this goal, it’s necessary to work with the candidate in their development in their personal life, in the affirmation of their gifts and calling, and in the polishing of their ministerial skills.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Hispanic Center for Theological Studies does not ordain people for ministry.  The ordination and ministry licenses are administered by the different churches and denominations. Covenant Church students can get various licenses and upon graduating from the Ministerial Program, start the ordination process when they have a call to a congregation or a recognized body of the church.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

B-211 PANORAMA OF THE BIBLE

The Bible requires an understanding that fits together within its context.  The emphasis of this course is on the appreciation of the Word of God in its historical context.  It offers the student a way to navigate in order to understand God’s message during the Biblical context and in today’s day.  The objective consists of being able to understand, live out, and teach the Word of God.  The focus on a panorama does not mean that it will be superficial.

B-212 BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (Requirement B-211)

Biblical Interpretation has always been a duty of the people of God.  As Evangelicals, we affirm that the Bible is authoritative in issues of faith, doctrine, and conduct.  This makes it imperative then, to know the hermeneutic principles in order to take from the Word of God sustenance, direction, and spiritual strength under the supreme guide of the Holy Spirit.  The “Inductive Method” of interpretation is emphasized.

B-213 GENESIS AND THE PENTATEUCH (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

This course studies the content, structure, and message of the first five books of the Bible.  It treats the Pentateuch as an integrated work of several literary genres.  The class discovers the fundamental message of the Pentateuch for the people of Israel and for the church today.  The class looks at the reasons why the New Testament authors cite the Pentateuch in a prophetic or eschatological way.

B-214 PAUL’S LETTERS  (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

Much about what we know from faith and practice in the church in the first century comes from Paul’s letters.  This course gives an introduction to the life of the Apostle Paul and each of his epistles.  The theological significance of the themes in the letters are discussed.  An emphasis is put on the attitudes of the Apostle that made him express different teachings in the middle of diverse circumstances in his life and ministry.

B-301 THE PSALMS FOR TODAY (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

The author of the psalms seems to have converted words of man to God to words of God to man.  These poems reveal an honest and profound faith and a surprising literary skill.  The 150 poems are converted into a mosaic of important themes and are condensed into one book called the “Psalter”.  The design and message of the entire book, as well as certain individual poems will be deeply examined in this course.

B-303 REVELATION (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

The book of Revelation has fascinated the church in spite of how difficult it is to interpret.  The course gives an expository presentation of its structure and content as well as Revelation’s diverse schools of interpretation.  It looks into global biblical eschatology and how it is connected with the other prophetic books of the Bible.  The class uses many different visual aids to stimulate relevant questions of discussion about the topic.

B-312 ROMANS (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

This epistle of Paul constitutes one of the doctrinal pillars of the protestant church.  By using the tools of observation, interpretation, and application one will acquire understanding of the key passages for the pastoral and educational work in the church.  A global perspective of Roman’s message is maintained starting with Paul’s objective and God’s purposes in saving Jews and Gentiles through justification by faith in Jesus Christ.

B-313 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

The class analyzes the foundation of the church (in Jerusalem), its expansion (in Judea, Samaria, and Asia Minor), and its extension (in Europe) in the context of the first century Greco-Roman world.   The class considers the ways in which the Holy Spirit leads the church to confront the pagan cultures in order to accomplish its mission.  The class shows how the community of faith learns to live underneath the Lordship of Christ, confronting demonic powers and heresies.

T-211 BIBLICAL THEOLOGY (Requirements B-211 y B-212)

This course concentrates on biblical-theological reflection of several key themes throughout the Old and New Testaments.  These themes are expressions of Israel’s experience and of the church’s experience as a people chosen to do the will of God in the midst of the crises’ of its time.  Since the New Testament revolves around the person and the work of Jesus Christ, He is studied in relation to the church and God’s mission in history.

T-212 INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY (Requirement T-211)

A Christian needs not only to read and interpret the Bible, he/she also needs to develop their capacity to articulate their faith in a systematic and precise way.  Systematic Theology is known for being dry and boring.  However, it is not like that in this course which offers 10 key themes about Christian doctrine from a homiletic perspective.  The textbook comes alive and is full of illustrations and simple language that will appeal to those who not only want to reflect theologically, but even more importantly who want to share their faith in a more effective way.

T-213 CHRISTIAN ETHICS

T-302 HISPANIC AMERICAN AND NORTH AMERICAN THEOLOGY (Requirements T-211 y T-212)

The course offers an analysis, reflection, and interpretation of several select outstanding works done in Latin America and the United States.  The course discusses relevant themes in light of the reflection and action that the church does.  Topics related to methods of doing theology and the ethical implications of these theological themes will be looked at.

T-303 THEOLOGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Requirements T-211 and   T-212)

It is extremely important to study the person and work of the Holy Spirit  during these end times.  The course explores the presence and action of the Holy Spirit throughout the entire Bible.  It analyzes the newness that Pentecost brought to the life of the believer for the mission of the church and for the state of the world.  Themes are discussed such as prayer, praise, adoration, exercising gifts, signs and wonders, and the spiritual battle.

T-304 THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (Requirement A-405)

Adequate pastoral work with families requires a correct theological understanding. This course analyzes family practices during Biblical times and focuses its attention on theological themes such as creation, fall, and redemption.  The course discusses spiritual education in the home like teachings about marriage, divorce, and remarriage.  Pastoral challenges for family care today are posed in the class.

H-211 CHURCH HISTORY

This course gives a panoramic view of the history of the church from its beginning until the present, mentioning themes, movements, and key people.  The factors for both the advancement and deterioration of the church is discussed, along with its eight periods as well as the church’s specific development in particular cultures in which the church was planted.  The course discusses the need for the Protestant Reformation, the development of Modernism, Fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, and Ecumenicalism.

H-212 THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES (Requirement H-211)

This course consists of a critical examination of the history of the church in Latin American beginning with the Spanish and Portuguese conquest in the 16th century. The following topics are discussed: the penetration of immigrant Protestantism during the 19th and 20th centuries, the churches that arose out of missionary work until the middle of the 20th century, and the explosive growth of Evangelicalism, in particular Pentecostalism starting the 1960’s.  The course concludes by locating the Hispanic immigrants in the context of The United States.

H-213 THE HISTORY AND THEOLOGY OF THE EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCH (Requirements H-211 y H-212)

This course is designed to help the student understand and interpret the Pietist and Evangelical traditions of the Covenant church.  Starting with an examination of the reformation in the 16th century, the historical and theological conditions for the development of revivals in Europe are considered (with an emphasis in Sweden) along with Evangelicalism in North America during the 19th and 20th centuries.  The missionary work of the Covenant church around the world is considered, with an emphasis on Latin America and the birth of national autonomous churches in the second half of the 20th century.

C-213 WOMEN AND MEN IN GOD’S MISSION

This course will help stimulate reflection about the role of women and men in the church and in God’s mission starting with the study of biblical passages related to this topic, women’s place in ministry in the history of the church is discussed.  In order to do this, four elements are looked at: the Bible, the religious background of each student, culture, and personal experience.

C-214 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (A-403)

Every human being is continually developing from birth until death.  This course analyzes the contributions of the classic authors such as family therapists and other scholars of human development.  It studies the different points of entrance within personal and family development.  This course offers parents, teachers, and pastors theoretical and practical tools  for a better understanding of human nature and its continual development and transformation.

C-215 TODAY’S FAMILY (A-401)

There are unique social phenomenon in the current era that drastically change family and church life.  This course offers an introduction to the social-pastoral study of the family, with special attention to the Latin American family.  The way the migration process affects family life is observed.  Themes like machismo, domestic violence, and survival strategies of different populations are analyzed along with the impact that the gospel of Jesus Christ has made on families who have accepted Him as Savior.

C-301 "NEW AGE" AND MODERN SECTS

Among the contemporary sects, “New Age” has become very popular.  This course, through analysis and apologetics, shows the different sources of “New Age” with its teachings and explanations.  Through the light of the Bible, it presents “New Age’s” doctrinal teachings and principals, with the purpose of defending the Christian faith face to face with the invasion of this and other sect movements.

God created us as sexual beings.  Sexuality from a Biblical perspective is gift and a promise, but also a dilemma because we come from a human nature in need of redemption and because we live in an unjust world.  Beginning with the discussion of what it means to be sexually healthy person, the course studies topics such as marriage, divorce, remarriage, domestic violence, singleness, homosexuality, abortion, and AIDS.  All of this is done in the light of biblical teachings and the confessions of churches around the world.

C-305 COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

We live in a world of pressing needs.  The church is called to give an answer to the problems of poverty, injustice, unemployment, and the lack of opportunities in order to help improve the lives of others.  This course offers a Biblical understanding based on the scriptures and the Pact of Lausanne of concepts such as “development”, “holistic mission”, “community transformation.”  Tools are given that faith communities can successfully use in transformational development projects in their respective communities.

M-211 EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP

The central importance of the Great Commission is to “make disciples.”  This course explains the biblical basis of doing holistic evangelism projects.  It locates this topic inside of the contemporary debate about the mission of the church and analyzes the respective documents representative of a variety of Christian traditions.  The course examines the Great Commission in the four gospels and offers practical tools for evangelism and personal discipleship in small groups.

M-212 STARTING NEW CHURCHES (Requirement M-211)

This course offers the biblical and theological basis of starting new churches, it discusses the practical results of starting with a strong basis, and it shows the advantages of starting churches following organic and biotic principles, rather than technocratic principles.  It explains the conditions and resources that a church planter needs to make a good start.  The course uses the information collected by Christian A. Schwarz in his research done around the world about the healthy characteristics that allow a church to grow in a natural way.

M-213 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Jesus himself showed us the educational role of the church through his example and command.  The church trains its members so that the testimony of Jesus Christ transforms the lives of his followers and makes them participants of God’s mission.  This course offers practical tools to organize, implement, develop and evaluate educational experiences that are challenging and productive.  The course trains the Sunday School teacher so that they are able to use different didactic methods, elaborate an action plan, and evaluate the progress of the students through the light of the Word of God. 

M-214 COUNSELING AND PASTORAL CARE

The pastor walks along side of individuals, couples, and families in critical moments in their development and search for alternatives to their feelings, ideas, attitudes, conducts and relationships that are harming them.  The course trains the student in the nurturing of virtues connected with their inner-being in learning things related to their mission and in the development of skills related to their vocation.  The course trains the student to be able to distinguish between Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Care.  It explores the different types of families within our churches, including the student’s own family.

M-215 BIBLICAL PREACHING

This course gives the student the opportunity to work on making expository sermons that address contemporary topics.  Thorough exegetical preparation of the chosen passages is the central element of this class.  Each student will have the opportunity to preach and will be videotaped and observed by the class and the professor to be evaluated.  The course will offer individualized work for those who are interested in further polishing their homiletic skills.

This course offers practical tools in developing a way of thinking from a Christian Perspective and helps students to articulate themselves through writing.  It stimulates the development of creativity and helps students generate new ideas on how to communicate the gospel and edify the church.  It trains students to use bibliography, footnotes, study cards, and techniques in writing papers.

M-314 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COMMUNICATION (A-404)

Only staring after the second half of the 20th century was human communication studied in all its complexities.  This course offers tools and concepts to develop effective and functional communication in the family, church, and society. Through integration exercises, the students evaluate communication areas that need improvement while cooperation and intimacy are promoted.