Fall 2012 AMBS—Great Plains Courses

Beginning Greek (GP:BIB502)

One and a half hours — Dan Quinlin
In this first-level Greek class, students learn the basics of the Greek language and read 1 John, an early Christian letter about the fundamental human desire to know and love God. We will take note of the style of the letter, its theology, and how it speaks to our own spirituality. While this is the basic skill-building course for the New Testament exegesis sequence, it will be helpful to any student who wishes to have a clearer understanding of the biblical text. This course is a prerequisite for New Testament exegesis courses.

Theology and Ethics of the Gospels (GP:BIB642)

Three hours – Jerry Truex
This focus on Jesus and the Gospels will combine inductive learnings, evaluation of contemporary portraits of Jesus, and theological interpretation of the Synoptics. Each of the four Gospels will be studied to discover the theology and ethics that each contributes to the canon and to the faith of the church. Primary themes of liberation, discipleship, peacemaking, worship, and mission—all set within the relation between the Old and New Testaments—emerge for discussion and application to the life of the church today.

Thinking Ethically (GP:HTE541)

Three hours — Duane Friesen
How should Christians respond to violence, health care and creation care issues? What choices face us regarding sexuality and systemic racism? To deepen ability to think ethically, students will examine major approaches to the moral life and decision making that draw upon the resources of Christian faith and theology, especially the role of Scripture, Jesus, and the church in ethics.

Christian Theology I (GP:HTE541)

Three hours – Lois Barrett
This course will begin with the canonical portraits of Jesus, the doctrines concerning him that arose in the early church, and the centrality of the reign of God in his life and teaching. From there we will move into the development of Trinitarian thought. In this light, the course will explore revelation and the Bible, creation, human nature, and salvation.

Theological Education and Formation (GP:INT500)

One-half hour — Keith Harder
The seminar involves small group meetings in which students share personal narratives regarding leadership and church, process personality inventories, and discuss reflection papers and reading on missional leadership. Through the seminar process, a student may apply for admission to the MDiv degree program.

Growth in Ministry (GP:INT601A and B)

Join Elkhart groups
One hour each semester — Gayle Gerber Koontz and Ted Koontz
The primary focus of this yearlong seminar is the completion of the formation portfolio, an integration paper, and the senior interview process required for graduation. This seminar provides the structure for students to focus intentionally on the growth and integration of the knowing, doing, and being aspects of their learning, with particular reference to their ministry vocation.

Ministry in Church and World (GP:INT687)

Three hours each semester – Keith Harder
This is a two-semester internship in the second year of study. Its purpose is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their ministerial identities and to refine their ministering skills in the context of the Christian congregation or community ministry. Students will spend eight to ten hours per week in active ministry, leading worship, preaching, teaching, evangelizing, and providing pastoral care in the congregation, or in activities of the ministry agency in which they work. They will be supervised in the congregation or at the ministry site, by a campus-based peer group, and by a faculty supervisor.

Supervised Ministry Experience (GP:INT689)

Three hours — Keith Harder
This program provides opportunity for a supervised internship in a congregational or other ministry setting. In the ministry context, the student will explore and develop the range of his or her ministering skills and gifts. The period of time will normally be an intensive three-month Summer or an extended seven or eight months, with the option of an entire calendar year. Students will spend approximately 400 hours in this internship for every three credit hours. Ministry in Church and World is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.