Diploma of Pastoral Ministry (48 credits) PDF Print E-mail

The Diploma of Pastoral Ministry program is designed to assist men in developing their pastoral giftings and disciple them for pastoral leadership.  

A Diploma of Pastoral Ministry requires completion of at least 48 credit hours, including 24 credits in theological studies, 40 credits in pastoral leadership, and 8 elective credits. This diploma or its equivalent is one of the requirements for a candidate for a Ministerial License issued by the North American Ministerial Council of the Church of God (Seventh Day). 

Theological Studies Requirements (24 Credits)

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (4)
BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (4)
HIS 202 History of Western Christianity, 1517-Present (4)
THE 201 Systematic Theology (4)
THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4) 

Pastoral Leadership Requirements (16 Credits) 

COM 341 Expository Preaching (4)
LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (4)
LEA 201 Church Administration (4)
PAM 131 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (4) 

Electives (8 Credits)

Students may choose any 8 credits in the following course categories: BIS, COM, EDU, HIS, LEA, MIS, PAM, PHI, PSY, THE, WOA.
 

Additional Requirements:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Completion of 120 hours of approved and documented ministry and/or mentoring; 50% of these hours must be in conjunction with a local congregation
  • Recommendation of the faculty based on Christian character and perspective, emotional stability, and commitment to the purpose of LifeSpring School of Ministry

Diploma Completion Programs for Previous MTS Students  

The following degree plans are only available to former MTS students who formally enrolled in the Diploma of Pastoral Ministry prior to June 30, 2009. Students will be notified no later than August 31, 2009 which degree plan best fits their prior studies and will have until December 31, 2014 to complete this degree plan. Students who have not completed the plan by this date will be required to complete their diploma under a more recent degree plan.  

Diploma of Pastoral Ministry (42 credits; Option A)

Theological Studies Requirements (17 Credits)

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
    BIS 101.1 History and Literature of the Old Testament: The Pentateuch
    BIS 101.2 History and Literature of the Old Testament: The Historical Books
    BIS 101.3 History and Literature of the Old Testament: Poetry
    BIS 101.4 History and Literature of the Old Testament: The Prophets  

BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (4)
    BIS 104.1 History and Literature of the New Testament: The Gospels
    BIS 104.2 History and Literature of the New Testament: The Life and Teachings of Christ
    BIS 104.3 History and Literature of the New Testament: Acts, the General Epistles, and Revelation
    BIS 104.4 History and Literature of the New Testament: Pauline Epistles  

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (2)
    BIS 201.1 Biblical Interpretation: Introduction
    BIS 201.2 Biblical Interpretation: Observing the Text      

HIS 202 History of Western Christianity, 1517-Present (1)
    HIS 202.4 Church of God (Seventh Day) History  

THE 201 Systematic Theology (2)
    THE 201.1 Systematic Theology: Introduction
    THE 201.2 Systematic Theology: Theology Proper and Christology  

THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrine (4)
    THE 202.1 CG7 Doctrines: God’s Word for Man - Deity Revealed
    THE 202.2 CG7 Doctrines: God’s Provision for Man - Life in Christ
    THE 202.3 CG7 Doctrines: God’s Pattern for Man - Obedience in the Spirit
    THE 202.4 CG7 Doctrines: God’s Future for Man and all Creation  

Christian Leadership Requirements (14 Credits)

COM 341 Expository Preaching (4)
    COM 341.1 Expository Preaching: The Message and the Messenger
    COM 341.2 Expository Preaching: Remaining True to the Text
    COM 341.3 Expository Preaching: Preparing Expository Sermons
    COM 341.4 Expository Preaching: Preaching Expository Sermons  

LEA 101 Foundations of Ministry (2)
    LEA 101.1 Foundations of Ministry: Christian Walk
    LEA 101.2 Foundations of Ministry: Calling  

LEA 201 Church Administration (4)
    LEA 201.1 Church Administration: Leadership
    LEA 201.2 Church Administration: Polity
    LEA 201.2 Church Administration: Administration
    LEA 201.2 Church Administration: Finance  

PAM 131 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (4)
    PAM 131.1 Intro to Pastoral Ministry: Part 1
    PAM 131.2 Intro to Pastoral Ministry: Part 2
    PAM 131.2 Intro to Pastoral Ministry: Part 3
    PAM 131.4 Intro to Pastoral Ministry: Part 4  

Electives (11 Credits)

Students may choose any 10 credits (in increments of 1 or more credits) in the following course categories: BIS, COM, HIS, LEA, MIS, PAM, PHI, PSY, THE, WOA.
 

Additional Requirement:

  • Recommendation of the faculty based on Christian character and perspective, and emotional stability

Diploma of Pastoral Ministry (42 credits; Option B)

This degree plan is only available to former MTS students who formally enrolled in the Diploma of Pastoral Ministry program prior to June 30, 2009.  

Theological Studies Requirements (16 Credits) 

BIS 101 History and Literature of the Old Testament (2)
BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament (2)
BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation (3)
HIS 202.4 Church of God (Seventh Day) History (1)
THE 202 Intro to Church of God (Seventh Day) Doctrines (3)
Biblical Studies Electives (5) [from the BIS course category; includes book studies]   

Christian Leadership Requirements (14 Credits) 

COM 271 Principles and Practice of Preaching (3)      
      
Or  COM 341 Expository Preaching (3)
LEA 201.2 Church Administration: Polity  (1)
PAM 131 Introduction to Pastoral Ministry (3) 

Christian Leadership Electives (7) [from the following course categories: COM, LEA, MIS, PAM, PHI, PSY, THE, WOA]
 

Electives (12 Credits)

Students may choose any 10 credits (in increments of 1 or more credits) in the following course categories: BIS, COM, HIS, LEA, MIS, PAM, PHI, PSY, THE, WOA.
 

Additional Requirement:

  • Recommendation of the faculty based on Christian character and perspective, and emotional stability