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Religion: Preaching Course Descriptions

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RELP 222 Small Group Ministry (3)

Equips the student to develop and lead small groups in the context of a local church setting. Focuses on group dynamics, leadership styles, small group communication, methods of evaluation, and various types and purposes of small groups. (Spring Semester and Summer Session)

RELP 220 Knowing and Sharing Christ (3)

Explores how Christians can both better understand their faith in Christ and comfortably, yet winsomely, share it in the context of today's busy, multi-faith society. The course will help students discover powerful motives and effective, easily implemented strategies that will enable them to communicate the gospel actively in ways that are compatible with their personality and abilities. (Spring Semester)

RELP 260 Christian Worship and Church Music (3)

In this course the variety of worship styles and church music will be explored and examined. Attendance at local churches that do Christian worship in many different ways will be an important component of this course. Church music and other essential components of liturgy will be studied.

RELP 294 Topics in Pastoral Theology (1-4)

Designed for students who wish a course not listed in the regular offerings. A selected topic in religion will be explored. (Offered as needed)

RELP 295 Independent Study in Pastoral Theology (1-3)

Study on an independent basis in collaboration with the instructor on a topic in biblical studies at the lower division level. (Offered as needed)

RELP 305 Ministry in the City (3)

Surveys a number of existing models of urban ministry and involves the student in a program of guided reading and discussion. (Fall Semester)

RELP 308 Biblical Preaching and Practicum (3)

Prerequisite: COMM 105. An introduction to the principles governing sermon construction and the development of a theology of preaching. Careful attention is given to the structuring of various types of sermons as well as to the dynamics of delivery styles. Course requirements include required videotaped sessions and evaluation by the instructor and fellow students. Further opportunities are created to apply the homiletical principles through class presentations, guest lecturers and specialized assigned readings. Students are assigned to preach in area churches, where they are monitored and evaluated.

RELP 360 Pastoral Leadership and Externship (3)

Prerequisite: Enrollment as a theology or religion major. An introduction to the gospel ministry. The class studies the nature and function of pastoral ministry with the intent of acquainting the prospective minister with the unique combination of roles and responsibilities carried by a pastor in a local congregation. Students will reflect on what it means to receive a "call" to ministry in the light of their experience, and will come to understand the sensitive skills and gifts that contribute to effective pastoral leadership. The course includes directed field experience that further provides an understanding of the dynamics of church life and organization. The course is enriched by visits of those specialists in selected areas of ministry. (Fall Semester with practicum continuing in the Spring)

RELP 370 Field School of Evangelism (3)

Prerequisite: Enrollment as a theology or religion major. A study of the principles employed in conducting various types of public evangelistic outreach and the challenge of reaching people for Christ within today's context. This course combines the theory and practice of bringing people to Jesus Christ in larger groups. Students will learn how to plan, develop, and conduct a public evangelistic program through contemporary approaches and techniques. Involvement in an area evangelistic effort is the major part of this course. Students are expected to attend pre- and post-series programs, attend all evening meetings and Sabbath worship services held during the series, carry specific responsibilities of the evangelistic team, make in-home visits, and give personal Bible studies.

RELP 391 The Theory and Practice of Urban Ministry (3)

Explores the nature of the city from a global perspective, noting the history and development of cities, their relationship to the mission of God and the church. Will also explore ways in which the church has and may impact the cities. The city of Washington, D.C., will be used in case study, as it is an acceptable microcosm of the global urban reality and will give the student practical, hands-on experience in urban ministry in a variety of settings throughout the metroplex of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The student will be exposed to ministries with the hungry, the homeless, the battered, the addicted, and the alien, as well as to a variety of public and private agencies that deal with these issues. An integral part of the practicum will be a supervised urban immersion consisting of three days and two nights on the streets. (Spring Semester and Summer Session)

RELP 398 Practicum in Ministry (2-3)

Prerequisite: RELP 220 or concurrent registration. A specialized field training program for religion or theology majors in which the student is a participant in one or more of the following settings: (1) urban ministry, (2) public or personal evangelism, (3) clinical pastoral ministry, and (4) church/school teaching. The student's experience is carefully supervised and evaluated. Graded pass/fail. Course may be repeated for credit. (Spring Semester)

RELP 450 Christian Mission (3)

Explores the history and purpose of Christian mission from the apostolic period to the present and projects into the future. Various paradigms of mission will be studied and evaluated. The purpose of the course is to prepare urban (and other) missionaries to understand how they fit into the total picture of Christian missions and how this may best be practiced into the multicultural twenty-first century. (Spring Semester and Summer Session)

RELP 460 Cross-Cultural Ministry (3)

This course is built on three foundational positions: (1) All communication is cross-cultural to some degree. (2) Culture is the way people organize their experiences to develop a worldview, values, beliefs, a social framework, and behavioral patterns. (3) Communication is the human part of proclamation and discipling. Course focuses on communication and mission, communication and culture, world-views, ways of thinking, behavioral patterns, and social structures as they relate to ministry in a multi-cultural context.

RELP 461 Metro Ministry Practicum (3)

This course encompasses direct field experience in a metropolitan church in the greater Washington/Baltimore area providing and understanding of the dynamics of church life, mission and organization in the urban and/or suburban setting. The course will be enriched by visits to different churches in the metropolitan area and guest lectures by specialists in urban ministry.

RELP 462 Metro Ministry Field School (3)

A study of the principles employed in conducting various types of public outreach within the metropolitan context. This course studies the dynamics of serving the community and people in the urban and suburban areas of Washington and Baltimore, and other large metropolitan areas within our territory. Practical involvement in a metropolitan setting is an essential part of this course. Students are expected to experience a hands-on first-hand and night 'gateway to service' in a city setting.

RELP 494 Topics in Pastoral Theology (1-4)

Designed for students who wish a course not listed in the regular offerings. A selected topic in religion will be explored. (Offered as needed)