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Pre-Ministerial

The Pre-Ministerial Program

The Pre-Ministerial Program utilizes the Compendium of Pastoral Theology, a program developed in Latin America by the Evangelical Seminary to the Nations (Seminario Evangélico a las Naciones [SEAN]). The program is focused on the life of Christ based upon the Gospel of Matthew.  One of six semesters is dedicated to each of 6 volumes of study. Each weekly session while meeting in small groups called "Peñas" serve to corroborate the work completed at home, to improve content understanding and to discuss the themes of interest that arise as a result of the study.  Each session ("Peñas") is facilitated by a well trained Tutor, all of which are closely supervised by CHET staff.

* Develop a deep rooted spiritual life through the study of the Word of God, through prayer, through worship, and through the service and communion with other believers.

* Discern and identify his or her ministerial gifts for service in their local church and in their community.

* Manage the Gospel of Matthew with ease and have knowledge of the Life of Christ and his evangelism and discipleship work.

* Know how to structure, organize or direct a worship service or special worship focused event.

* Know how to facilitate, teach or lead a group Bible study, a Sunday school class, or evangelistic cell group, assuring the participation of all those students involved. 

* Develop well disciplined study habits that shore up their continued educational endeavors. Improved study habits focus on reading and writing, reporting, and task and project completion.      

Upon completion of each of the 6 Pre-ministerial courses, 4 units will have been earned per course (24 units). Thirty (30) units are required to complete the Pre-ministerial program. Students may choose to take 6 additional 1unit value workshops in order to meet program completion requirements. Decisions may be made in consultation with the Academic Advisor or CHET satellite coordinator.

L-101  INTRODUCTION AND INFANCY.  A five stage analysis of the life of the life of Christ is introduced (introduction and infancy, year of preparation, year of popularity, year of passion and the risen life).  A first century geographic placement of Jesus’ ministry in Palestine, the doctrines of Christ (Christology) and the concept of the Kingdom of God are introduced. Doctrinal concepts of some cults are investigated and the “Bringing My World to Christ” evangelism program is explained and implemented during the 12 week course.

L-102  YEAR OF PREPARATION.  Book 2 on the Life of Christ explores in depth Jesus’ first year of ministry, his Year of Preparation, not only the details in Matthew, but also all the unique events John tells us about in his Gospel. The course starts with the preaching of John the Baptist, who pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God and baptized him at the commencement of his ministry. Careful consideration is given to the theme that focuses on repentence and the fruits thereof leading of with the temptations of Jesus and problems associated with materialism, violence, contemporary life and vanity are considered. Jesus’ ministry is historically placed in the midst of the priests, the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Sanhedrin.  The “Distinctives of the Evangelical Covenant Church” (CHET, 1997) are read and discussed and a report is written.

L-103  YEAR OF POPULARITY. Beginning with a study of the Lords Prayer, personal prayer and prayer in community are analyzed.   Various ways of doing evangelism and steps and conditions for church planting are analyzed.  The Sermon on the Mount is analyzed and Bible study methods are introduced.  Orientation is given on the optimum management of concordances, biblical dictionaries, comments and other reference books.  The pamphlet "The Affirmations of the Pact" is discussed (Chicago:  Covenant Press, 1991) and a report is written. 

L-104  THE YEAR OF PASSION.  This class examines the doctrine of man, considering such topics as sin, death, salvation, human relationships, and sex and marriage.  It considers the diverse kinds of authority in topics of faith: tradition, reason, and revelation.  It gives a look at the Old Testament in order to place the topics historically.  It looks at the inter-testamental period such as the formation of the Roman Empire.  The article “Resolution about Human Sexuality” is discussed and the class forms its own “Collective Declaration about Sexuality.” 

L-105  THE LAST WEEK.  Jerusalem in the times of Jesus is considered including its geography, the temple, the Passover celebration, etc.  The events and teachings of the last week of our Lord Jesus are analized including the Lord’s Supper and the crucifiction.  Christ is studied as a prophet, a priest and king.  A comparative study of Jesus’ life in all four gospels is done.  The sacramental significance of the Lord’s Supper is discussed (that which is confessed by the Evangelical Covenant Church) and it is compared to the interpreatations of other denominations.

L-106  THE RESURECTED LIFE.  In this class the resurection, the ascention, and the Great Commission are studied.  Then, the class looks at how the early church fulfilled this mandate, according to the book of The Acts of the Apostles.  Paul’s three missionary journies are studied.  The doctrine of the Holy Spirit is considered as well as the pastoral work done by the church throughout the centuries.  The class discusses the doctrine of the trinity and the pastoral work of the churh throughout the centuries.  The works of the Covenant church’s missionaries, as well as other denomition’s missionaries are discusses and prayed for throughout the semester.  

Workshops

•  Enjoy Abundant Life
• Discovering and Developing Your Gifts
• Leading Worship
• Forming Effective Work Teams
• Cultivating Ministry Amongst Adults
• Grow As a Teacher….Being Yourself
• Working With Teenagers…and Surviving
• Be an Effective Tutor
• Discover Your Style of Leadership…and use it
• Intervene in a Family Crisis…and come out unharmed
• Good Administration of Familiy Finances
• Good Administration of Church Finances
• Organize Action Projects and Community Transformation

Note: The list reflects a sample of workshops offered by CHET.