Touchstone and Capstone Courses
Developing the Focused Life
In this touchstone course, learners will examine their call to ministry, write a statement of calling, assess their competencies for ministry, develop learning objectives for their program of study, and enlist a mentor who will support their learning. The course will introduce the learner to the various facets of online learning. This course is required for all academic programs and must be taken before a learner can enroll in any other course.
Proficiency Portfolio
Students customize their seminary program by choosing five competencies on which to focus and by designing projects that promote development in these competencies. Project materials, combined with course-related documents, are collected in an e-portfolio as evidence of ministry proficiency.
Practicing the Focused Life
In this Capstone Course, students analyze competency growth during their seminary program through self-assessment and 360-assessment. Looking beyond seminary, students write a strategy for continued learning and ministry development.
Worship Courses
The Theology & Practice of Worship
This course is a study of the biblical purpose of worship and the practice of worship in the church today. Learners will focus on the biblical foundations, theology, and history of worship.
Preaching/Teaching for Life Change
Learners will study the purpose of preaching/teaching and will examine the practical steps of crafting, planning, communicating and delivering a message. The course includes a preaching/teaching workshop component that gives students an opportunity to construct, preach/teach, and evaluate messages preached or taught locally in their ministry context.
Fellowship Courses
The Theology and Practice of Fellowship
A study of God’s purpose for fellowship and the doctrine of ecclesiology, the student will develop a biblical understanding of the church and how the church has expressed the purpose of fellowship throughout history. In addition, learners will identify select functions and forms of fellowship and examine various organizational systems for promoting the purpose of fellowship.
Building a Small Group Ministry
This course teaches principles for establishing and maintaining healthy small groups, and explores the various types of small groups. Emphasis will be given to how to help groups reproduce themselves to develop a healthy and growing church.
Personal Counseling Skills
An introduction to the basics of pastoral counseling and spiritual guidance. The course examines fundamentals of counseling, the role of prayer and scripture in counseling, and when and how to make referrals to other caring professionals. Learners will use case studies and interactive techniques to develop their counseling skills.
Discipleship Courses
The Theology & Practice of Discipleship
An exploration of a comprehensive program for producing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Emphasis will be given to the study of the doctrine of the Word of God, planning, implementing, and evaluating the discipleship task of the church. Learners will design a discipleship strategy for their congregation or ministry.
Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines
The learner will focus on several spiritual habits such as solitude, prayer, journaling, fasting, and spiritual mentoring. Learners will practice these disciplines individually and in a small group of fellow learners or church members.
Biblical Hermeneutics
This course explores how to understand the meaning of Scripture and how it applies to us today. The course focuses on the different literary forms in Scripture and provides different Bible studies for serious learners of God’s Word. In this practical approach to Bible study, learners will learn how to use resources, including Bible software, for studying Scripture.
New Testament Survey
This course is an introduction to the background and content of the New Testament with an emphasis on theological interpretation and application.
Old Testament Survey
This course is an introduction to the background and content of the Old Testament with an emphasis on theological interpretation and application.
Bible Language Tools
This course explores the use of basic Bible language tools to grasp a deeper meaning of Scripture and formulate a deep appreciation of the original languages of the Bible. The course focuses on the practical application of this information for Bible Study and sermon preparation. In this practical approach to Bible study, students will learn how to use resources contained in the Bible software to discover and apply this information to Bible studies and sermons.
Church History I
A study of the major movements within the church and how they have influenced current church practices with a focus on the first five centuries of Christianity and the Middle Ages to the Reformation. This course will provide a survey of significant events with a focus on the development of theology during this period.
Church History II
A study of the major movements within the church and how they have influenced current church practices with a focus on the Reformation to the present. This course will provide a survey of significant events with a focus on the development of Protestant Orthodoxy and the theologies that emerged during the twentieth century.
Christian Worldview and Theology
This course will explore the biblical foundation of a Christian worldview. An emphasis will be placed on the theology that comprises a Christian worldview. Consideration will be given to the differences in a Christian worldview and movements such as secular humanism and post-modern philosophies.
Ministry Courses
The Theology & Practice of Ministry
An introduction to the purpose of ministry through the study of the biblical and theological basis for “every member ministry,” the rise of clericalism in church history, the equipping church model vs. the dependency model, and the permission-giving church vs. the controlling church. Students will examine approaches to gift discovery and ministry matching.
Lead Like Jesus
This course is an examination of the principles and practices of leadership in Christian ministry. The course will focus on the role of the minister as servant leader, the qualities of a spiritual leader, and how a variety of leadership styles are required in ministry. The leadership of Jesus will be used as a leadership role model.
Building an Effective Ministry Team
This course is a study of the leadership skills required to build effective ministry teams, both church staff and volunteer. The course examines the characteristics of high performance teams, clear common goals, diversity of roles in teams, effective team processes, how to build the team, the role of communication in team building, and pitfalls to avoid in team development.
Recovery Ministry
Through this course, learners will understand the biblical and ministry foundations of a recovery ministry and will develop strategic approaches for either the launch or upgrade of a recovery program. The course will explore the addictive personality and how it is revealed in different ways, such as through chemical addiction, sexual addiction, relationship addiction, eating disorders, and religious addiction.
Pastoral Care
This course is an examination of pastoral care as it relates to officiating at weddings, the practice of hospital visitation, and the conducting of funerals. The ministry of Jesus Christ will be studied as a theological model of pastoral care. The course will explore such issues as pre-marital counseling, grief counseling, and the problem of suffering.
Evangelism Courses
The Theology & Practice of Evangelism
This course is a study of the biblical purpose of evangelism and the practice of evangelism in the church today. An understanding of the postmodern culture and how to communicate the gospel story within that context will be emphasized. The course will also focus on the role of spiritual friendships and how to design a church strategy for evangelism.
Contemporary Evangelism
This is a study of how to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through personal witness. The course will explore the biblical motivation for sharing our faith and how to develop relationships with those who are not yet followers of Jesus. The course will investigate the values and worldview of the unchurched in order to connect God’s story with their story.
Understanding Other Cultures
Cross-cultural ministry is a reality in today’s world, whether a neighborhood or an ocean away. Learn the attitudes of servanthood when bridging to those of another ethnic culture. Understand the challenges of dealing with the new and different. Develop skills to make the cultural adjustments necessary to minister within the context of another culture, whether short-term or long-term.
Introduction to Church Planting
How do you start a new church? What is a church? What is a healthy church? What is a church planter? What are the stages of a church plant? The course will investigate the biblical and theological basis for church plants, as well as the practical aspects of starting a new work. This course is designed for students who are interested in church planting or sense a call to plant a church. It is also perfect for those who have recently started a church plant.
Decide which degree is best for you.
This course description listing is for planning purposes only. Rockbridge Seminary reserves the right to change course descriptions without notice. This listing does not constitute an expressed or implied contract between the Seminary and any member of the student body, faculty or general public.
