CHMN 579/779 MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL LIFE


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CHMN 579/779 Ministry and Spiritual Life

About the Course

A study designed to develop understanding of and experience in the spiritual life. The classic disciplines are examined, biblically and historically, with special reference to the responsibilities of ministry. Emphasis is on the development and maintenance of vital faith, habits of spiritual discipline, self-renewal, and personal devotion in the face of the pressures and problems of contemporary Christian service. The course explores spiritual vitality programs, both for the minister and the local congregation.

Who Needs This Course?

  • Graduate students:
    • MDiv
    • MACM
  • This course may also be taken by
    • Pastors for continuing education
    • Pastors as non-degree course for professional development
    • DMiss/DIS students as mission prerequisites
    • Graduate students of other schools as transfer credit

Time Investment

Students have to invest 3 hrs per day.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  1. Recognize the importance of spirituality and practice the spiritual life in church ministry.
  2. Articulate the nature and diversity of church ministry and spiritual life from the biblical and Adventist perspectives.
  3. Describe and explain various biblical models for spiritual disciplines.
  4. Assess the current personal and church commitment to spiritual life.
  5. Find out the factors that hinder the spiritual growth in church ministry and propose the solutions.
  6. Develop a constructive and creative spiritual growth plan for individuals and the local church.
  7.  

Topics to Cover

Week 1: God’s Call to a Devout and Holy Life

Week 2: Spiritual Life and Journey of Faith

Week 3: Spiritual Growth through Bible Study

Week 4: Meditation and Prayer

Week 5: Fasting, Solitude, and Simplicity

Week 6: Trust, Service, and Community

Week 7: Confession, Worship, and Spiritual Retreat

Week 8: Planning the Spiritual Growth for Individuals and the Local Church

 
 

Facilitator

WATLAND FRANCOIS, PhD


Dr. Watland Francois is a field-experienced minister. He started his pastoral ministry in 2006 in the North Haiti Mission, where he served seven years as church pastor and teacher. Before his current position as a faculty member at the AIIAS seminary in 2024, he served as the vice president for academics at the Adventist University of Haiti.


Dr. Francois holds a bachelor degree in theology from the Adventist University of Haiti (UNAH), a master's degree in Pastoral Theology from the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (SETAI), and a PhD in Religion with an emphasis in Church Ministry and Leadership from the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS). He shows particular interest in research, counseling, teaching, preaching, leading projects, and special needs ministries.

Developer

CAROL TASKER, PhD


Dr. Carol Tasker is now a retired worker of the Seventh-day Adventist church. She is an experienced (more than 20 years) cross-cultural educator having worked in six countries, with sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural differences. She has served as a faculty, dean, board examiner, administrator in different Adventist institutions in Asia, USA, and Australia for many years.


She has written articles and presented research studies in various international conferences around the world.