Academic Catalog: Pastoral Ministry

How the Christian message can effectively be implemented is a problem which faces leaders, teachers, pastors, evangelists, and counselors in all phases of their distinctive ministries. The purpose of this department is to help students solve that problem. Three principles undergird all the courses: The church is the primary agent in the program of Christian outreach and nurture, there is no dichotomy between the thorough mastery of technique and prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit, and edification must follow evangelism and mission.

HOM 501 Sermon Preparation and Delivery

A basic homiletics course for MA students. Each member of the class will have the opportunity to preach at least once during the semester. Offered alternate spring semesters. Two hours.

HOM 612 Expository Preaching of New Testament Texts

This is the foundational course in the field of homiletics. The basics of sermon preparation and delivery are emphasized. Building on that instruction, students will prepare and preach at least two sermons from different passages of the New Testament in conjunction with Greek exegesis. Corequisite: NT 612 Greek Exegesis of James. Offered spring semesters. Three hours.

HOM 701 Expository Preaching of Old Testament Texts

Linking Hebrew exegesis with the exposition of the Old Testament, the instruction in this course focuses on the exegesis of different types of Old Testament literature and the preparation of relevant expository sermons from those texts. It explores, in depth, the theological implications of the Old Testament and its application for contemporary audiences. Students will prepare and preach at least two sermons based on different sections of the Old Testament. Evaluations will be offered by the students and the instructor. Prerequisites: OT 502 Learning Hebrew and Its Grammar or OT 505 Basic Hebrew Bible Interpretation; HOM 612 Expository Preaching of New Testament Texts. Offered fall semesters. Three hours.

HOM 742 Advanced Expository Preaching

This seminar, which covers two semesters, responds to the felt need of the members of the class. The class format revolves around discussion and class participation and addresses the issues of relating to an audience and developing relevancy. During the year, students will prepare and preach at least two expository messages which will be evaluated by the professor and other members of the class. Prerequisite: HOM 612 Expository Preaching of New Testament Texts;NT 612 Greek Exegesis of James. Two hours each semester.

HOM 590, 690, 790 Studies in Homiletics

These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in homiletics under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.

PME 513 Biblical Theology of Worship

This course exposes students to the language, literature, and theology of worship as it is presented in both the Old and New Testaments. Students will be asked to critically evaluate contemporary worship services from a theological perspective. Offered alternate fall semesters. Three hours.

PME 514 History of Christian Worship

Introduces students to the origin and practice of early Christian worship and follows those practices through the centuries and traditions leading to twenty-first century paradigms of worship. Students will explore the emergence of broad philosophic approaches to worship throughout the history of the church. Offered alternate fall semesters. Three hours.

PME 601 Pastoral Theology and Christian Worship

Examines theological foundations of pastoral ministry and worship prior to the study of specific skills necessary for effective ministry in the local church. Consideration is given to role definition, relational skills, pastoral care and functions, administrative competence, and congregational worship. Offered spring semesters. Three hours.

PME 602 Counseling in Pastoral Ministry

Centering on the role of the pastor as an agent of spiritual care, this course considers the common spiritual, emotional, and relational difficulties which people experience together, along with the basic skills needed to counsel individuals and families within a church fellowship. Offered spring semesters. Two hours.

PME 613 Worship and Culture

Introduces students to the spectrum of worship styles present in churches today. Formal liturgy, seeker sensitive, and parachurch campfires will all be part of the exposure to differing styles and elements of contemporary worship and the cultural forces that have both formed and informed them. Globalization is an integral part of the course as worship represented by various ethnicities and cross-cultural settings is explored. Offered alternate spring semesters. Two hours.

PME 633 Presbyterian History and Polity

Introduces students to the history of Presbyterianism and the distinctives, connectional functioning, and processes of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This course is required for candidates for ordination by the Rocky Mountain Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Offered alternate fall semesters. Two hours.

PME 634 American Baptist History and Polity

This course examines the history of Baptists and the context out of which American Baptists in the U.S. were formed. Baptist principles of faith and practice and their application to current issues and polity are explored. This course is open to all students regardless of their denominational affiliation and is required for candidates for ordination in American Baptist Churches (USA). Offered on sufficient demand. Two hours.

PME 635 Presbyterian Church (USA) History and Polity

This course provides a working knowledge of PC (USA) history and polity, emphasizing the practical, ecclesiological, and systemic applications of polity for ministry. It will also assist students in their preparation for the Standard Ordinations Examinations. Offered on sufficient demand. Two hours.

PME 701 Evangelism and Discipleship

Examines biblical principles of evangelism and discipleship ministry with an emphasis on the development of personal gifts and skills. Special attention is given to promoting evangelism and discipleship ministry in the local church. Offered spring semesters. Two hours.

PME 702 Growing in Ministry Leadership

Examines the biblical foundations for servant leadership with special attention to the gifts of the Spirit, development of personal leadership style, leadership functions, and administrative skills in the church. MDiv students with a concentration in leadership should take LD 501 instead of PME 702. Offered spring semesters. Three hours.

PME 720 Intergenerational Ministry

Designed to enlarge students’ thinking and understanding of what constitutes significant children, youth, adult, and family ministry as an integral part of a local congregation. It addresses the need for intergenerational ministry strategies in combination with age specific ministry for faith formation. May also credit as a youth and family ministries elective. Two hours.

PME 751 Administration and Organization of Worship Ministry

This course addresses the essence of worship ministry in the church. Beyond the design of weekly worship services, students will study the church calendar, recruiting, budgeting, copyright/legal issues, creative worship settings, and the use of technology/media in the development of worship services. Technicians and software experts will be invited to exhibit and explain the most recent developments in their fields. Students will study liturgical and nonliturgical forms of worship and write their own worship outlines and scripts, honoring the practices of their church or ministry. Two hours.

PME 755 Worship Practicum

This course provides students the opportunity to build worship teams, design services, and lead the student body at Denver Seminary in worship during weekly chapel services. Pre- or corequisite: PME 751 Administration and Organization of Worship Ministry. Offered spring semesters. Two hours.

PME 590, 690, 790 Studies in Pastoral Ministry and Evangelism

These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in pastoral ministry or evangelism under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.

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