Christian Education
| Chair | Richard J. Leyda, Ph.D. |
| Professors | Anthony, Dirks, Issler, Lawson |
| Associate Professors | Carr, Kim, Leyda |
| Research Professor | Wright |
Objectives
The aim of the department of Christian education is that of developing Christian educators who understand the significance of an educational ministry and who possess the skills necessary to function as Christian educators. To this end, course offerings have been designed to blend theory and practice. Most elective courses are designed for tracking to accommodate the student's vocational specialization.
TTCE 511 - Foundations of Leadership (3)
Investigation into leadership theory and practice leading to the development of a bibliocentric philosophy of leadership; practice in basic leadership skills; study of application of concepts in the church and parachurch agencies. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 512 - Education Leadership & Administration (3)
An analysis of leadership and administrative principles and processes as they apply to the church and parachurch agencies. Special attention to the relation of administrative functions and ministry. Required of M.Div. (C.E.), M.A. Min. (C.E.), and M.A.C.E. students. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 514 - Women & Men in Christian Ministry (2)
An investigation of the role of women and men in ministry and leadership in the light of Scripture. Also includes a discussion of issues men and women in the ministry face when working together. Elective. Offered spring, even years.
TTCE 518 - Staff Development (2)
An in-depth look at issues surrounding the development, supervision, and support of volunteer staff as well as the dynamics of multiple-staff ministry and ways to enhance the work of ministry teams. Required in Accelerated M.A.C.E. program. Offered spring, odd years.
TTCE 521 - Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process (3)
Investigation into the major issues of educational psychology, including learning theory, motivation, learning styles, and instructional methodologies with direct application to classroom use. Integration of theology and psychology an emphasis. Required of MACE Students. Offered fall semester.
TTCE 543 - Counseling Adolescents and Their Parents (2)
An overview of the issues related to providing pastoral counseling to adolescents and their parents including addictive behavioral problems, abnormal developmental concerns, intervention and enrichment counseling and awareness of when and to whom to refer adolescents for professional therapy. Required of M.A. in Youth Ministry. Offered fall, even years.
TTCE 552 - Life Span Development in Ministry (3)
A survey of human development research with attention given to physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, moral, and faith aspects as they relate to spiritual development of the individual and the family as a basis for a holistic Christian education ministry. Required of M.A.C.E. and M.A. in Min. (Pastoral Emphasis) students. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 555 - Parachurch Youth Ministry (2)
Focus on the various types of parachurch ministry to junior high and high school age students available. Includes principles which make parachurch youth ministry different from local church youth ministry and principles for beginning a new parachurch campus club. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 562 - Personal and Interpersonal Development (3)
Emphasis on personal and interpersonal growth through individual assignments and small group interactions. Opportunity given for spiritual, physical, emotional, mental and relational development, with attention to intercultural contexts. Required of two year M.A.C.E. students. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 566 - Youth Group Development and Programming (2)
A step by step approach to the building of a youth group and developing a yearly youth group ministry program. Emphasis may be on either junior high or high school age group and course will contain an emphasis on development of community within the group. Required of M.A. in Youth Ministry. Offered spring, odd years.
TTCE 570 - Special Studies in Christian Education (2)
Designed for students who desire a specific course content not covered in any of the regularly offered classes. May be taken twice with different emphases. Content will differ based on need / interest. Possible required fee. Admission to course by advisor approval. By arrangement.
TTCE 591 - Teaching Ministry Practicum (1)
Structured experiences in teaching of the Bible in church or parachurch vocational settings. Relates to development of speaking skills required in professional ministry positions. Lesson preparation and presentation are emphasized. Required of M.A.C.E. students with limited ministry experience. Offered Fall / Spring.
TTCE 592 - Ministry Leadership Practicum (1)
Structured experiences in leadership in a church or parachurch vocational setting. Emphasizes application of leadership and management skills to ministry situations. Required of M.A.C.E. students with limited ministry experience. Offered Fall / Spring.
TTCE 600 - Educational Ministry in the Church (3)
Analysis of ministries of edification as they relate to the personal, congregational and administrative aspects of ministry with people of all ages. Focus is on the explanation of various methods and resources available for ministry and on the development of individual skills in communicating and leading in these ministries. Required of M.A. (Min.), M.A. (B./T.S.), and M.Div. students. Offered Fall / Spring.
TTCE 612 - Missionary Education (2)
Objectives, programming, activities and administrative methods of implementing a program of missionary education. Investigation into the auxiliary organization of the church's educational program through which missions are taught. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 616 - Principles of Curriculum Development (2)
Consideration of essential elements in curriculum formation. Intensive study of varied existing curricula. Analysis of contemporary trends in curriculum production. Elective. Prerequisite: TTCE 521. Offered Interterm / summer.
TTCE 622 - Theology, History and Philosophy of Ministry (3)
Investigation into the theological, historical, and philosophical foundations which underlie Christian ministry. Examines the development of educational ministry as a discipline, reflecting on the tradition we have inherited and considering the changing ministry scene. Also includes an investigation of current practices of ministry through an analytical perspective. Designed to help the minister evaluate ministry programs and respond with remedial or enrichment strategies. Required of MACE and M.Div. (CE non-thesis) students. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 623 - Theological Foundations and Issues in Christian Education (2)
Examines the biblical / theological foundations for educational ministry from an evangelical perspective, and a variety of theological issues impacting its practice in the past, present, and future. Required in Accelerated M.A.C.E. program. Offered fall, odd years.
TTCE 624 - Child Development and Teaching I (Birth-Age 5) (2)
A study of the development of the child from birth to age 5 with an emphasis on the development of effective educational approaches and teaching processes that encourage moral, cognitive, and social development, and growth in knowledge of and faith in God. Required of Children's Ministry Specialization students. Offered spring, even years.
TTCE 626 - Child Development and Teaching II (Ages 6-12) (2)
A study of the development of the child from ages 6-12 with an emphasis on the development of effective educational approaches and teaching processes that encourage moral, cognitive, and social development, and growth in knowledge of and faith in God. Required of Children's Ministry Specialization students. Offered spring, odd years.
TTCE 633 - Christian Education Research and Writing (3)
Basic methods of theological and educational research with assessment of each method for use in religious education. Course will include units on theological research, introduction to statistical measurements and introduction to research design. Students will develop the literature review graduation requirement as part of this class. Required of all MACE students. Offered fall semester.
TTCE 635 - Models of Children's Ministry (2)
An exploration and assessment of various contemporary approaches to children's ministry, from birth to age 12. Includes practice in the development of ministry strategies involving family, community, and church resources. Required of Children's Ministry Specialization students. Offered fall, odd years.
TTCE 636 - Independent Study (1-2)
TTCE 637 - Independent Study (1-2)
In-depth investigation of a topic under the guidance of the Christian education department using standard research procedures. Topic selection and course enrollment is by advisor's approval. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 638 - Current Trends in Christian Education (2)
Identifying and understanding those issues which are of primary concern to the field of Christian education today. Opportunity will be provided for individual and group research in areas of personal concern. The course will investigate current educational trends, alternative church education patterns and new forms of ministry. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 644 - Music in the Church (2)
The place of music in the church's program. Criteria for the selection of appropriate music. Techniques for leading music and teaching various groups. The relationship of music to worship, instruction and fellowship. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 646 - Current Trends in Children's Ministry (2)
Examines contemporary movements and trends in children's ministry. Addresses legal, social, and administrative issues surrounding the practice of children's ministry today. Offered fall, even years.
TTCE 648 - Current Trends in Youth Ministry (2)
Emphasis on trends and issues related to life on a contemporary junior high or high school public school campus. Includes principles for development of relationships between the youth minister and local school administrators which will enable both to function effectively. Also contains principles for blending students from public, parochial and Christian campuses into your youth group. Elective. Offered spring, even years.
TTCE 649 - Instructional Technology (2)
Development and administration of media for ministry. Uses of the computer, print, audio, video, mixed media and multimedia technology for promotion, education and motivation. Elective. By arrangement.
TTCE 661 - Adolescent Culture and Development (2)
Finding and meeting adolescent needs, writing objectives for youth ministry, leadership of learning experiences and outreach experiences, disciple-building and review of available resources. Development of personal plans for ministry. Required of M.A. Youth Ministry. Offered fall, even years.
TTCE 663 - Youth Education and Leadership (2)
Emphasis on the leadership role in the local church, college campuses and mission field. Development of a youth leadership program within the local church. Study of extrachurch organizations and parent-teen relationships and ministry emphasized. Required of M.A. Youth Ministry. Offered fall, odd years.
TTCE 675 - Family Life Education in the Local Church (2)
Examines organization and administration of a program of family life education in the local church. Includes an analysis of current trends in family life education. Offered Fall, odd years.
TTCE 678 - Adult Development and Education (2)
A study of issues and developmental tasks of adults. Attention to the ministry of meeting the needs and utilizing the potential of adults. Elective. Offered spring.
TTCE 683 - Camp Leadership (2)
The philosophy, objectives, administration, program and leadership of a church-related camp. The use of worship, study, crafts, recreation and counseling in church camping. Investigation into trends of camping, centralized and decentralized camping. Techniques in planning and directing a camp program, including counselor training. Elective. Offered Interterm / summer.
TTCE 691 - Practicum in Ministry I (1)
Structured field experience in a C.E. ministry field site with an approved supervisor focusing on the development of students' spiritual gifts and personal skills applied to teaching the Bible. For those with equivalent of two years full-time ministry experience. Minimum 10 hours per week field involvement. Required of the M.A.C.E. and M.A. Min. Offered fall semester.
TTCE 692 - Practicum in Ministry II (1)
Structured experiences in a C.E. ministry field site with an approved supervisor focusing on leadership development including assessing needs, setting goals, planning strategy, implementing programs and evaluating programs. Course may be repeated. For those with equivalent of two years full-time ministry experience. Minimum 10 hours per week field involvement. Required of the M.A.C.E. and M.A. Min. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 716 - Ministry to Single Adults (2)
Investigation of single adult ministries in the context of the local church. Emphasis in the development of an effective single adult ministry. Various proven and experimental models of single adult ministries will be examined. Elective. Offered spring, odd years.
TTCE 723 - Friendship and Community: Contexts for Growth (2)
A study of Christian community and close friendship relationships from both theological and social science perspectives. Concepts to be studied include: friendship, justice and vengeance, forgiveness, church discipline, accountability. Students will develop a proactive model for nurturing community as a part of a larger discipleship ministry. Offered in conjunction with doctoral programs.
TTCE 724 - Advanced Methods of Educational Instruction (2)
Consideration given to the various philosophies of education, theories of learning, and the factors that influence learning. Emphasis given to becoming a more effective teacher. Variables in motivation, retention, transfer and high level thinking will be discussed. A supervised classroom teaching experience is required. Prerequisite: TTCE 461 or its equivalent, or by permission of the professor. Required of Th.M. students. Offered spring semester.
TTCE 725 - Formation of Moral Character (2)
Analysis of critical issues related to character and habit formation and the practice of moral education for Christian education. Opportunity for students to develop character formation plans as part of a larger discipleship ministry. Offered in conjunction with doctoral programs.
TTCE 727 - Faith Development (2)
Analysis of current theories and models of faith development and how it is enhanced in family and congregational ministry settings. Focuses on the application of faith development theories to the practice of ministry across the life cycle. By arrangement.
TTCE 791 - Educational Practicum (1)
TTCE 792 - Educational Practicum (1)
Directed experiences in educational ministries conducted through a local church. Praxis in leadership for major educational functions for various age levels. Similar content to TTCE 691 and 692, with applications to pastoral ministry. A minimum of 10 hours field involvement per week. Prerequisites: TTPT 591, 592, 691, 692, 48 units of class work. Required of, and limited to, M.Div. students majoring in C.E. Offered Fall / Spring.