Faith Bible College

The Certificate in Ministry Development

This is a 40-week course in ministry studies and biblical learning that integrates class work, practical experience and personal Christian growth.

Entry Requirements: Applicants must be over 18 years of age (17 year olds are accepted at the discretion of the college Board of Trustees - only applicable to domestic students). There are no minimum academic requirements.

 The Certificate in Ministry Development is Faith Bible College’s first and foundational year of studies in Christian development, ministry readiness, training and formation. It is taught over an academic year of forty weeks and in three stages. Intakes of new students into the programme are taken in February and July each year. Graduations are in November for students commencing in February and in the June of the following year for those commencing in July. 

• The first stage is eighteen weeks of campus-based teaching, studies, learning and practical ministry experience. The work of this stage serves as knowledge and initial experience-based preparation for the second stage of field-based learning.
• Second stage (Field Practicum) consists of ten weeks of field-based practical experiences and programmed ministry studies, which can be taken either in a ministry/church situation within New Zealand or an overseas mission situation.
• The third stage of the course work is covered back on Faith’s Tauranga campus and consists of twelve weeks of further studies. This stage will seek to develop a student’s learning further and integrate the work of the first two stages primarily through focusing on application of learning to entering into effective future ministry, social and community service following course graduation.

Subjects

Biblical Studies

Biblical Studies I - Credits: 10

This course will cover the methods of Bible study; survey an overview of both Old and New Testaments, with special emphasis on the Gospels and the life of Jesus. It will also cover the books of Song of Solomon and the epistle of James from the perspectives of devotional worship, pursuit of Christian growth and personal character development. The modules within the subject are:

• Bible Survey
• Song of Solomon
• James

Biblical Studies II  - Credits: 8

This course will cover the methods of Inductive Bible Study, and thematic and applied teaching from three Old Testament books and two New Testament epistles. The focus of the instruction and students competency development is the identifying, understanding and applying through communication the message and purposes contained within the studies. The modules within the subject are: 

• Inductive Bible Study Method
• Romans
• Minor Prophets
• The book of Isaiah

 Christian Beliefs I - Credits: 8

This course will cover the basic Biblical beliefs concerning who God is, that nature of the scriptures, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, angels, salvation, Christian growth and perseverance, the Second coming of Jesus and the overall nature of God’s Kingdom. Also spiritual gifts, healing and the nature of spiritual warfare are studied. The modules within the subject are:

• Foundation Doctrine
• Gifts of the Spirit
• Spiritual Warfare

Christian Beliefs II - Credits: 8

Building on the basic Biblical beliefs studied in Stage I and additional studies of “worldview applied” understanding of Christian truth and its application to life, this course now studies apologetics or the “rational and ethical defense of the truth to those outside of Christian faith”. It also considers the Biblical and contemporary nature of women in Christian ministry service. The modules within the subject are: 

• Apologetics
• Women in Ministry in the 21st Century

Life Skills - Credits: 4

The skills of study and learning through identifying your learning style, working with computer, library facilities and developing effective learning strategies and research skills are formed in this course. Also included are studies and learning in the personal development of ones identity through the experiences of our lives in relationship to growing in Christ likeness. The modules within this subject are:

• Study Methods
• Self Esteem

Ministry Skill Foundations - Credits: 8

Ministry is theology in practice, what we know we must be able to communicate and act with competence in communication of the good news of God’s saving love and discipling those who believe in Jesus. The background and practical skills of preaching, ministering deliverance, evangelizing and discipling children and adolescents will be developed. The modules within this subject are:

• Foundations of Preaching
• Deliverance
• Ministry to Children
• Evangelism
• Youth Ministry

Christian Mission I - Credits: 6

World missions and evangelism has always been an aspect of the “basic heartbeat” of Faith Bible College. This course focuses on the biblical, historical, social and cultural dimensions of the task of world evangelization. Studies will encourage you in developing a passion for lost humankind as you consider the nature, purpose, achievements, present deployment and above all the unfinished task of Christian world mission. You will be able to reflect on your involvement in this task as they consider possible strategies for the completion of Jesus' Great Commission to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.

• Foundations of Mission

Christian Mission II - Credits: 6

Continuing in this subject from Stage I, students will participate in daily times of preparing, leading, speaking in the corporate prayer and worship life of the campus community. This is a necessary part of the student’s spiritual formation and integration. Also participation in teaching classes and sessions with visiting missions, and ministry personnel in spiritual growth helps “round” the sources of input and development in this course. The aspects of the course are: 

• Hours of Power & Devotional Worship
• Ministry Practitioners Sessions

 Worship & Spiritual Formation I - Credits: 6

The study of worship and prayer is covered in two modules.

Firstly: The Tabernacle of Worship – (Moses). Learn through a study of scriptural principles relating to and entering into praise and worship. Gaining an understanding of Hebrew worship, looking at the Tabernacle of Moses and discovering the protocol of worship. Our God, who invites us into His presence, has also decreed how we are to worship.

Secondly: The Tabernacle of David. David, the man after God's own heart, was himself a conspicuous type of Christ and was given to know the mind of God concerning real spiritual worship. He is a wonderful foreshadowing of the worship, by prayer, praise and music which characterizes the coming together of God's people today. The course studies the history of biblical music in David's day and also looks at the dual nature of worship and warfare.

• The Tabernacle of Worship – Mosaic
• The Tabernacle of Worship - Davidic

Worship & Spiritual Formation II - Credits: 4

It is imperative that a student be prepared to undertake the ministry to which they are called. These studies in worship and spiritual formation cover the nature of one’s call to faith, growth and service. The teaching on the Feasts of the Lord gives us a good understanding on the times and the seasons of God. The feasts prefigure the church age, beginning with the cross and ending in the manifestation of the sons of God. The historical, prophetic and the personal or experiential application of each feast are considered. The modules within this subject are:

• The Call of God
• The Feasts of Israel

Community Worship & Devotion  - Credits: 4

Christian worship in the Faith community is part of daily life and the overall integration of all campus based courses at Faith Bible College. Daily times of preparing, leading, speaking in the corporate prayer and worship life of the campus community are a necessary part of the student’s spiritual formation and integration. Also participation in teaching classes and sessions with visiting missions, and ministry personnel in spiritual growth helps “round” the sources of input and development in this course. The aspects of the course are:

• Hours of Power & Devotional Worship
• Prayer I – Dialogue With God

Christian History  - Credits: 4

The history of Christianity spans the last two millennia. This course is an “in-depth” introduction to that story as its broad history is surveyed in a tutorial teaching style to enable students to be conversant with the big-picture of the faith’s historical development. A second module in the course considers the history of “revivals or refreshing” of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God and their ongoing task of evangelization. 

• Overview of Christian History
• Revivals in Church History

Ministry Practice - Credits: 8

Leadership, music and creative arts are vital aspects of communication in contemporary Christian ministry and mission development. This course will consider both from the perspective of “learning-by-doing”. The purpose, people and planning of leadership will be rated to development of a range of leader competencies necessary to engage in post-graduation opportunities. In music, creative arts students will learn about the origins and purpose of music from a Biblical perspective. They will learn both how to critique creative elements of music, art, drama, dance, and also the practical aspects of programming, planning, and performance including the role and use of instruments and technology. The teaching will be conducted in a modular format. 

• Leadership I
• Music & Creative Arts

Field Practicum

Field Ministry Practice I & III - Credits: 7

Every week teams of students are assigned to participate in practical ministry in off-campus situations. This may be in services held in churches, retirement homes, special interest groups, prisons, children’s programmes, youth events, or at church or specialist camps. Participation ranges from preaching, teaching, leading public worship, sharing testimony, musical items or playing instruments, cultural items, drama, mime to praying for people in services. Other times these “outstation assignments”, may involve students in support community initiative projects and sharing their faith in evangelistic outreaches. In the Stage I and III aspect of the Certificate in Ministry Development course, students will have several opportunities to participate in these experiences. A major purpose is to integrate class studies through a “learn-by-doing” model.

Field Ministry Practice II

Practicum and Distance Learning - Credits: 29

The course work of this “second stage” work consists of ten weeks of field-based practical experiences and programmed ministry studies, which can be taken either in a ministry/church environment within New Zealand or an overseas mission situation. This work is a full time component of the course and each student works at practical involvement in his or her assignment and completes weekly scheduled studies and tuition through a distance learning programme. Students are assigned to capable supervision and have a broad range of experiences. Special attention is given to the further development of a student’s spiritual gifts, talents, communication skills and abilities.