PSP: Pastoral Studies Program   

This independent study course is flexible option for completing course requirements within the Pastoral Studies Program and for GMC ordination that may be outside of the regularly offered courses. The option to do an independent study is on a case-by-case basis.

SPECIAL NOTICE: ALL INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE APPROVED PRIOR TO REGISTRATION.

Please reach out to Chappell Temple (chappell_temple@baylor.edu) and Sydney Huebner (sydney_huebner@baylor.edu) to inquire about independent study options or possibilities.

Within this course, students will engage with the scriptures of the New Testament and learn skills for faithful interpretation and application of those scriptures both in their own lives and in the lives of those they are serving in ministry. The goal of this course is to ensure that students become faithful readers of the various texts and be able to confidently navigate historical and theological terms, concepts, narrative devices, authorial intent, and cultural contexts.
   
The class meets the Alternative Educational Pathway requirements of The Global Methodist Church for study in the area of New Testament survey.

NOTE: Zoom Meeting Time, Mondays, 2:00 - 4:15 PM CST     

The course will examine the major ideas and events, individuals and movements that have shaped the Wesleyan/Methodist movement from its beginnings in England to the present. Class sessions will focus on Methodist origins and history (including such key events as the formation of the Holy Club, Georgia missions, Aldersgate, itinerant and field preaching, the formation of conferences, class bands, the Christmas Conference, revivalism, separation and the slavery struggle, the holiness movement and the social gospel, and the rise of a global church), the principle figures involved (including the Wesleys, George Whitefield, Francis Asbury, Thomas Coke, Barbara Heck, Philip Otterbein, Jacob Albright, James O’Kelley, William McKendree, Peter Cartwright, Robert Strawbridge, Richard Allen, Phoebe Palmer, Frances Willard, William and Catherine Booth, etc.), and will consider the meaning of these events and traditions within the broader ecumenical context. In addition, the course will examine the distinctive ecclesiology of Methodism, including the ideas of connectionism, itineracy, and episcopacy, the process of its decision-making, the role and functioning of its boards, agencies, and caucuses, and the covenantal nature of its ministry.
   
This class meets the Global Methodist Church's Alternative Educational Pathway requirements for study of denominational history and polity.

NOTE: Zoom Meeting Time, Mondays, 6:00 - 8:15 PM CST       

In varying degrees, all believers in Jesus have been influenced by Mission and Evangelism. Perhaps your salvation story involves growing up in an established church or at a new church start, hearing the Gospel at a summer camp or campus ministry, being touched by a sermon/message, attending a youth event or going on a mission trip….these ministries and countless others like them were birthed in the context of mission and evangelism, from people with a desire to spread the Gospel and bring hope and compassion to a hurting world.

Yet despite this common experience, and alongside the enormous Biblical material regarding mission and evangelism, the sad reality is evangelism is often perceived as a negative connotation, while mission is too frequently viewed as the work of the mission committee. Our goal in this course is to create a passion and joy or both Missions and Evangelism while developing pastors who become effective leaders that bear Kingdom fruit for the Lord!
   
The class meets the Alternative Educational Pathway requirements of The Global Methodist Church for study of Mission and Evangelism.

SPECIAL NOTICE: This course is a hybrid course, which means that in addition to the online work, there will be a two day in-person lecture that will take place at George W. Truett Seminary in Waco, TX. The dates for this will be Friday and Saturday, February 28-March 1, 2025.

NOTE: 
Zoom Meeting Time, Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:15 PM CST 
Hybrid Meeting Date: 2/28/2025-3/1/2025 | Hybrid Location: George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, TX
   
Required Textbooks:

• The Master Plan of Evangelism; by Robert Coleman   
• What Are People of No Faith Looking for in Faith Conversations? https://www.barna.com/research/no-faith-conversations/
• The Faith Once Delivered, A Wesleyan Witness to Christian Orthodoxy; edited by Ryan N. Danker….*can be ordered as a book or a free PDF at: https://nextmethodism.org/summit-document/
• The Scripture Way of Salvation: The Heart of John Wesley's Theology; by Kenneth J. Collins
• Freeing Congregational Mission: A Practical Vision for Companionship, Cultural Humility & Co-Development; by Hunter Farrell.
• Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships by Sherwood G. Lingenfelter and Marvin K. MayersWhat Are People of No Faith Looking for in Faith Conversations? - Barna GroupA post from Veronica Thames on Barna Group provided by: https://www.barna.com

Although preaching, teaching, and pastoral care may seem like much more important disciplines for a pastor to master, we believe pastoral leaders who are not equipped to lead financially and not prepared to effectively administrate a church will not reach their God-given potential as leaders and may keep their churches from fulfilling their mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. This course in Church Finance and Administration will offer an opportunity for students to reflect on the importance of financial strength and integrity in the church, learn the important roles of the pastor and other leaders in a financially healthy church, and become familiar with all aspects of church finances and administration.

The class meets the Global Methodist Church's Alternative Educational Pathway requirements for study in church finance and administration.

NOTE: Zoom Meeting Time, Tuesdays, 2:00 - 4:15 PM CST      
   
Required Textbooks:

• “Giving 365” Resources, Horizons Stewardship (Join free online at www.horizons.net)
• Global Methodist Church Doctrines and Disciplines, paragraphs 336 through 349, www.globalmethodist.org (Download online free)
• Jamieson, Janet T., and Jamieson, Philip D. Ministry, and Money: A Practical Guide for Pastors. Westminster John Knox Press, 2009
• Jamieson, Jamieson, and Sloane, United Methodist Guidelines, Finance: Handling God’s Money in the Church (Free print out of resource provided for students)
• Local Church Audit Guide Packet, General Council on Finance and Administration, United Methodist Church Local Church Audit Guide Packet www.gcfa.org (Download online free)