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Module
descriptions for the Certificate in Christian Ministry
2009
Christian Studies
Introduction to Philosophy and Worldviews
This module provides an introduction to worldviews in
general with particular
focus on western philosophy and how philosophy has
interacted with theology
and shaped our world.
History of Western and African Christianity
This module reviews the origins and growth of Christianity
from the early church
through to the 20th century, focusing on the history of
theology, the Church and
missions in the West and in Africa. The module will
emphasise the dynamic
process of God’s providence sustaining Christian faith in
diverse historical
contexts and will bring students to an awareness of how
Christianity today has
been shaped by history.
Doctrine Survey
This module is designed to introduce the student to the
major topics, vocabulary
and issues of systematic theology through an historical
survey of the development
of Christian doctrine. The doctrines of the Christian
faith will be clarified as they
apply to the broader spectrum of human life and thought.
Theology of Mission
The biblical and theological foundations of mission are
studied from creation to
Israel and then from Christ to the visions of the
eschaton. An understanding of the
task of world evangelisation is developed. The influence
of key movements and
mission paradigms will be explored, focusing in particular
on current debates on
the nature of missions and evangelism.
Biblical Studies
Biblical Text and Context
The nature, purpose and interpretation of the Bible are
examined, with special
attention to issues of Scripture and canon. Students are
presented with a general
introduction to the geography and cultural history of the
biblical world.
Old Testament Foundations
This module is designed to introduce the learner to the
scope of the Old
Testament, as a shared testimony, concerning its central
character, Yahweh. The
module follows the ordering of the Hebrew Bible and is
split over two terms.
Attention is given to historical background, interpretive
issues related to literary
genre, and to the theology and integrity of the Old
Testament. This module is an
important backdrop for New Testament Foundations.
New Testament Foundations
This module is designed to introduce the learner to the
scope of the New
Testament, as the testimony of the early Church,
concerning the crucified and
resurrected Jesus. The module follows the canonical order
of the New Testament
and is split over two terms. Attention is given to
historical background,
interpretive issues related to literary genre, and to the
theology and integrity of
the New Testament.
This module provides an overview of the New Testament
documents, with special
attention given to their historical and religious
background.
Practical Theology
Reconciliation and Peacemaking
The purpose of Reconciliation and Peace Making is to lay
the foundation for a
biblical and theological approach to conflict management
that will guide the
church and community leader in responding to interpersonal
conflict both in the
church and in the community.
Christian Spirituality
This module provides an introduction to Christian
Spirituality as it has unfolded
through time and explores different facets of contemporary
spiritual life and
practice.
Character of a Christian Leader
A particular emphasis is given to developing spiritual
leadership through
understanding the “being” of leadership, the development
of character which can
lead to more effective “doing”, and the skills in the
practice of being a leader.
Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication
This is a foundational communications course introducing
the study of human
communication processes within a variety of contexts.
These include
interpersonal, cross-cultural, group and mass
communication. Particular attention
will be paid to culture, gender and conflict management.
Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counselling
The nature of practical theology, pastoral care and the
relation between theology
and psychology are explored. Models and techniques of the
pastoral conversation
are learnt and practiced and a sense of pastoral identity
is developed.
Children, Youth and Society
This module studies the current cultures, problems and
issues facing children and
youth in society, along with strategies for ministry.
Consideration will be given to
a number of issues which young people face in South Africa
such as peer
pressure, substance abuse, depression and suicide, sexual
abuse, child abuse and
violence.
Christian Worship
This module explores Christian Worship through the
scriptures and the different
traditions of the church and examines the theory and
practice of worship in
contemporary churches and life.
Discipleship of Youth and Children
Special consideration is given to approaches of
discipleship, which lead to
personal growth and development as applied to children and
youth. (This includes
raising the student’s own awareness.)
Ministry Practical
A practical extension of the academic programme in the
Certificate in Christian
Ministry programme. It is designed to be a
multidisciplinary application of what
has been learnt theoretically and measures the practical
capabilities of the student
within a field or sphere of learning.
Information Skills
The module focuses on the ability to define an information
need, and thereafter
being able to find, evaluate, use, and communicate
information. The latter skills
are supported by basic computer literacy in the Microsoft
Office Suite, the World
Wide Web and e-mail. |