The Pastoral Seminar with an emphasis in Pastoral Ministry will study the basic principles of evangelical biblical interpretation and the use of biblical tools as well as the techniques for preaching and the preparation and delivery of sermons. It also addresses issues that arise in the day-to-day life and work of a pastor and how pastors can prepare themselves to face potential challenges in pastoral life. These seminars will also prepare students with biblical and theological knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge in pastoral leadership settings. Students learn how to administrate, organize and lead in congregational life. Conferences includes a study of spiritual formation, church growth and the major Christian doctrines including expository preaching, God, humanity, and the world. Topics of study also include spiritual formation and discipleship in the local church.

Unique Features

·      Faculty and church leaders build personal relationships

·      Emphases on practical leadership and ministry experience

·      Faculty have published a wide range of theological and practical literature

·      Students and faculty advisers shape and evaluate a personal growth plan

·      Courses are taken in a seminar format

Content includes:

·      Pastoral care and counseling

·      Youth ministry

·      Cross-cultural, global church planting

·      Missions pastor within a North American church context

·      Parachurch/church planting opportunities in urban, cross-cultural settings within Fresno

·      Senior pastor of a local congregation

Seminar Topics

·      The Church and God's Mission in the World

·      Biblical Interpretation

·      Pastoral Preaching

·      The Ministry of The Pastor

·      Leadership Ministry Experience

The Church and God's Mission in the World

This seminar explores the book of Acts and gathers insights into a biblical view of the church and its mission. It explores how, Israel as God's covenant people, Jesus' teaching about God's reign, the disciple community around Jesus and the nature and development of the early church all contribute to understanding what the church is and should be

Biblical Interpretation

This course introduces the student to the inductive method of reading, studying and teaching the Bible. Special attention is given to the following exegetical topics: context, grammar, semantics, genre, contextualization and appropriation. Students do a series of exegetical and hermeneutical exercises, applying a literary-historical-canonical method to the study of selected biblical texts. The pedagogical factors involved in leading a Bible study is discussed and practiced. 

Biblical Theology

Students are challenged to come to grips with the central message of the bible. The class explores the viability of God's design and compare it to other approaches taken. The course presents an introduction to the history of the discipline and to current trends in theological research.

Pastoral Preaching

An introduction to the study of Pastoral Preaching  as well as the nature and  task of theology congregational formation throughthe use of Scripture.

The Ministry of the Pastor

This is a course on leading the teaching and training in Pastoral ministries of the church and community. The course examines various models of Pastoral Leadership for churches of different sizes in a variety of settings. The course includes issues such as pedagogy, reflective practice, experiential learning, discipleship, methodology, and media.

Leadership and Ministry Experience

LME provides each student with an opportunity for learning by experience in a congregation, agency, or school. The LME is tailored for each student to provide practical experience in as many dimensions of Christian ministry as possible, using learning teams, theological reflection groups, case studies, experience-in-ministry reports, and paticipatory learning communities, students will grow in their ministry experience.