My Personal mDiv
There has been a lot of discussion as to what a personal mDIV would look like. With so much change in the current systems of our seminaries and movements flooding through such as “church growth,” “Purpose Driven,” “Seeker Sensitive,” “Renewal,” “Third Wave,” “Post-Modern,” and so many more, I am not sure that we as leaders can clearly state what would be the best model for the education of the next generation of leaders in the church. I am not convinced that possibly at the very core of who we are, we might not be affected by one if not all of these movements and the residual affects. And I think that in this current time, the whole thing is still up for discussion.
Another concern that I have at this time is that many of our new leaders are going through seminary training without much true exposure and experience before being handed the awesome task of leading churches or planting churches. I would like to see our students travel more on mission and for life, I would like to see them have more hands on activities, more experience with all 6 senses (including Discernment) and live in community (akin to the monastic).
So, with that stated, I am only making some suggestions as to what I would have my young learners read and study in order to “show themselves approved.” I am open to discussion and suggestion, so please do make your responses here. And I consider this just a starting point, so let’s have fun. (And if you are a young life-learner reading this, know this: I have been working on this list for many years, so you won’t go wrong studying anything I have here!) Enjoy! [I will be updating this from time to time. This is based on my earlier post from 2007 and I plan to review it soon based on my life experiences till now in 2011).
My Personal mDiv (Master’s in Divinity)
An MDiv prepares students for the broadest range of
Christian ministries. Students receive training in classical
theological disciplines such as Old Testament, New Testament, church
history and historical theology, systematic theology, ethics, and
philosophy, as well as applied disciplines such as pastoral ministry,
preaching, evangelism, and missions. In addition, students may use
elective hours to pursue concentrations in any school at in accordance
with their ministry goals and academic interests. The MDiv is the first
masters degree for a student preparing for a pastoral or preaching
ministry, as well as any other ministry largely comprised of biblical
teaching.
Prerequisite
The student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college
or university to officially earn this title and diploma. However, for the sake of study, I encourage any pastor or leader to use this to grow themselves and deepen their ministry skills. This model is literally based on South Eastern Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, Covenant and Trinity. So, the breakdown of courses and materials should look familiar. The course numbers listed are there for our later possible use for a school of ministry with the Tapestry. The other “single” numbers listed are the credit hour numbers. These also are used for our possible future school use, however, if you notice, this is a full course load for an mDIV.
Biblical Studies
BBLCL3313
3
| Required Reading
|| “Models of Revelation” – Avery Dulles (Buy It Here Models of Revelation)(Dowload It Here)
Old Testament History OLDTS3313
3
| Required Reading
|| “Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth.” – Gordon Fee (Buy it Here How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth) (Dowload It Here)
New Testament History NEWTS3313
3
OLDTS3323
3
Life & Letters of Paul NEWTS3323
3
| Biblical & Linguistics Studies
(Biblical Language Resources)
Elementary Greek I (prerequisite) ELGRK3310
| Classes
| | Overview
| | Course 1
| Required Reading
|| Dr. William D. Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek, ISBN: 0-310-25087-0
| Tools
|| A free Greek flashcard program can be found at: http://www.teknia.com/index.php?page=tlt The word choices come from Dr. Mounce’s book.
Elementary Greek II (prerequisite) ELGRK3313
| Classes
|| Course 2
|| Course 3
Elementary Hebrew I ELHBW3310 | Required Reading
|| Dr. William D. Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek, ISBN: 0-310-25087-0
Aramaic I ELAMW3310
Hebrew Study Bible (Listen
Theological Studies |
| Ancient & Medieval Church History CHANT3310
3 Reformation & Modern Church History CHANT3313 3 Vineyard History VHANT3310 3
|| Kingdom Fellowship, by John Wimber (Buy it Here Kingdom Fellowship
|| Kingdom Mercy, by John Wimber (Buy it Here Kingdom Mercy || Prayer, Intimate Communication, by John Wimber (Buy it Here Prayer: Intimate communication || Witnesses for a Powerful Christ, by John Wimber (Buy it Here Witnesses for a powerful Christ
| Required Activity || Listen to the John Wimber Audio Library
|| Read John Wimber’s Sermons & Teachings from the Sermon Library
SYSTH3003 SYSTH3013
Ethics & Philosophical Studies |
| Christian Ethics
CNETH3010 3 |
| | Required Reading
|| After Virtue, by Alister MacIntyre (Buy it Here After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory, Second Edition |
|
Development of Christian Character and Decision Making CNETH3020 | Required Reading || A Tale of Three Kings, by Gene Edwards (Buy it Here A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness || Debt Free Living, by Larry Burkett (Buy it Here Debt Free Living || The World’s Easiest Guide to Finances, by Larry Burkett (Buy it Here The World’s Easiest Guide to Finances || The Way of the Heart, by Henri Nouwen (Buy it Here The Way of the Heart || Intimacy, by Henri Nouwen (Buy it Here Intimacy – Reissue || The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee (Buy it Here The Normal Christian Life || The Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan Manning (Buy it Here The Ragamuffin Gospel || Integrity, Dr. Henry Cloud (Buy it Here Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality |
| Relationships in Small Groups SGMPL3010 3 | Required Activities || Attendance in small group 6 months. (1 semester) || Attendance at Events & Meals as well. || Leadership in small group 6 months. (1 semester) | Required Reading || Home Cell Group Explosion, by Joel Comiskey & C Peter Wagner (Buy it Here Home Cell Group Explosion: How Your Small Group Can Grow and Multiply || Small Groups from Start to Finish, by Doug Fields (Buy it Here Small Groups from Start to Finish with CDROM || Coach: Empower Others to Effectively Lead a Small Group, by Joel Comiskey (Buy it Here Coach: Empower Others to Effectively Lead a Small Group |
| Philosophy of Religion PHREL3010 3 | Required Reading || The Emotionally Healthy Church (Buy it Here Emotionally Healthy Church, The || The 5 Step Healing Model (Download it Here) || Learning to Love, Exploring Solitude and Freedom, by Thomas Merton (Buy it Here Learning to Love: Exploring Solitude and Freedom || The Signature of Jesus, Brennan Manning (Buy it Here The Signature of Jesus || Gentle Revolutionaries, Brennan Manning (Buy it Here The Gentle Revolutionaries || The Bondage Breaker, Neil Anderson (Buy it Here The Bondage Breaker®: Overcoming *Negative Thoughts *Irrational Feelings *Habitual Sins || The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (Buy it Here Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse || The |
|
CAOM3310 3 |
| Evangelism & Missions Studies |
| Contemporary Evangelism (Classes by Ray Comfort) CEOM3310 3 | Required Reading on Evangelism |
| Personal Evangelism Practicum
CEOM3320 0 |
| | Required Evangelism Activities
|| Attendance of two GSF events || Order a subscription of Outreach Magazine God’s World Mission | Required Reading on the Missional Church || The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church by Alan Hirsch and Leonard Sweet (Buy it Here The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church || Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community by Ed Stetzer and David Putman (Buy it Here Breaking the Missional Code || Global Missiology for the 21st Century, by William Taylor (Buy it Here Global Missiology for the 21st Century: The Iguassu Dialogue (Globalization of Mission Series) || Theirs is the Kingdom, by Bob Lupton (Buy it Here Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America || Chasing the Dragon, by Jackie Pullinger (Buy it Here Chasing the Dragon: One Womans Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong’s Drug Dens |
| Missions Practicum
CEOM3340 0 |
| | Required Missions Activity
|| Attendance of one mission trip |
| Preaching & Pastoral Studies |
| Christian Worship
PRPAS3010 3 |
| Christ Centered Preaching: Preparation and Delivery of Sermons PRPAS3020 3 |
| The Movements of GOD
Revivals & Revivalism MVMGD3010 3 | Required Reading || Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill (Buy it Here Why Revival Tarries, repack || Revival Praying, Leonard Ravenhill (Buy it Here Revival Praying: An Urgent and Powerful Message for the Family of Christ || Praying for Revival, Johnathan Edwards (Buy it Here Praying for Revival – Extraordinary Prayer for the Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth || Revival God’s Way, Leonard Ravenhill (Buy it Here Revival God’s Way || Power Through Prayer, by EM Bounds (Buy it Here Power Through Prayer || The Weapon of Prayer, by EM Bounds (Buy it Here Weapon of Prayer || Praying with Purpose, by EM Bounds (Buy it Here Praying With Purpose || Praying that Receives Answers, by EM Bounds (Buy it Here Praying That Receives Answers: Secrets to Praying with Power || Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, by EM Bounds (Buy it Here Prayer & Spiritual Warfare || or buy EM Bounds’ complete works here: The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer || The Power of Prayer in a Believer’s Life, by Charles Spurgeon (Buy it Here The Power of Prayer in a Believer’s Life (Christian Living Classics) || Firefall, Alvin Reid (Buy it Here FireFall || Revival!, by Alvin Reid (Buy it Here Revival!: The Story of the Current Awakening in Brownwood, Ft. Worth, Wheaton, and Beyond | Required Activity || ComeRevive.Us (Listen to the ComeRevive.Us Audio Library) Personal Revival MVMGD3020 || Choose 1 more book on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages) | Required Activity || Joyce Meyer Online (Download and Listen to: 25 podcasts, your choice) Church Renewal Practicum |
| || It’s Time, by Richard Crisco (Buy it Here It’s Time: Passing Revival to the Next Generation || Operating in the Miraculous, by Steve Hill (Buy it Here Operating in the Miraculous |
| Additional Requirements |
| Applied Ministry – Spiritual Formation I APPMN3110 3 | Required Reading || My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers || Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard (Buy it Here Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ || The Spirit of the Disciplines, by Dallas Willard (Buy it Here The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives || Compassion, by Henri Nouwen (Buy it Here Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life || Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster (Buy it Here Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth || Choose 1 more book on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages) |
| Applied Ministry – Community APPMN3120
3 |
| | Required Reading || Connecting, by Larry Crabb (Buy it Here Connecting: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships || Theology for the Community of GOD, by Stanley Grenz (Buy it Here Theology for the Community of God || Harvard Business Review on Conflict Resolution (Buy it Here Harvard Business Review on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (A Harvard Business Review Paperback) || The Treasure of a Friend, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here The Treasure Of A Friend || Safe People, by Henry Cloud (Buy it Here Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t || Effective Biblical Counseling, by Larry Crabb (Buy it Here Effective Biblical Counseling: A Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counselors Applied Ministry – Disciple-making in the Local Church |
| | Required Reading || The Way (Path) to Maturity, John Wimber (Buy it Here Way to Maturity: How to Live in Spirit and Grow in Maturity As Child of God Leaders Guide || The Cost of Discipleship, Deitrich Bonhoffer (Buy it Here The Cost of Discipleship || Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller (Buy it Here Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality || The Great Omission, by Dallas Willard (Buy it Here The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship || Breaking Free, by Beth Moore (Buy it Here Breaking Free: Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life || Mere Christianity, by C S Lewis (Buy it Here Mere Christianity Applied Ministry – Mentoring |
| Applied Ministry – Teaching/Administration in the Church APPMN3030 3 | Required Reading || The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower Your Team || Relationships 101, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here Relationships 101 (Maxwell, John C.) || Equipping 101, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here Equipping 101 (Maxwell, John C.) || Attitude 101, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know || Leadership 101, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know || Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork, John Maxwell (Buy it Here Teamwork Makes The Dreamwork || Business By the Book, by Larry Burkett (Buy it Here Business By The Book: Complete Guide of Biblical Principles for the Workplace Applied Ministry – Leadership in the Church || The Difference Maker, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here The Difference Maker: Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset || Talent is Never Enough, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here Talent Is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent || The 360 Leader, by John Maxwell (Buy it Here The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization || The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell (Buy it Here The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership | Required Activities || Take the Leadership Assessments Online |
| Concentration and Free Electives |
| Concentration – Youth Ministry CONC3010 3 | Required Reading || Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, Doug Fields (Buy it Here Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry || Contempletive Youth Ministry: Praciticing the Presence of Jesus, by Mark Yaconelli (Buy it Here Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus (Youth Specialties) || Messy Spirituality, by Mike Yaconelli (Buy it Here Messy Spirituality || The Core Realities of Youth Ministry, by Mark Yaconelli (Buy it Here The Core Realities of Youth Ministry: Nine Biblical Principles That Mark Healthy Youth Ministries || Growing Souls, by Mark Yaconelli (Buy it Here Growing Souls: Experiments in Contemplative Youth Ministry || Dangerous Wonder, by Mike Yaconelli (Buy it Here Dangerous Wonder (with Discussion Guide) || Choose 2 more books on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages) | Semi-Required Activities || Attend a Youth Specialties or other approved convention Concentration – Worship & the Creative Arts CONC3020 || Desiring GOD, by John Piper (Buy it Here Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist || Facedown, by Matt Redman (Buy it Here Facedown (The Worship Series) Concentration – Postmodernism Concentration – Biblical Education || Great Doctrines in the Bible, by DM Lloyd Jones (Buy it Here Great Doctrines of the Bible: God the Father, God the Son; God the Holy Spirit; The Church and the Last Things || Creative Word, by Walter Brueggemann (Buy it Here Creative Word: Canon As a Model for Biblical Education || Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism, by Walter Brueggemnn (Buy it Here Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism: Living in a Three-Storied Universe || Choose 4 more books on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages) Concentration – Children’s Ministry || Children of Revival, by Vann Lane (Buy it Here Children of Revival || Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie O’Martian (Buy it Here The Power of a Praying® Parent Prayer and Study Guide (Power of Praying) || Fire on the Horizon, by Pratney (Buy it Here Fire on the Horizon: How the Revival Generation Will Change the Worldsng || Light the Fire, Alvin Reid (Buy it Here Light the Fire: Raising Up a Generation to Live Radically for Jesus Christ || Choose 2 more books on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages) | Semi-Required Activity || Attend an Approved Conference | Required Reading || Planting Missional Churches, by Stetzer (Buy it Here Planting Missional Churches || Planting Churches in a Postmodern Age, by Stetzer (Buy it Here Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age || Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century, by Malphur (Buy it Here Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century,: A Comprehensive Guide for New Churches and Those Desiring Renewal || How to Plant Successful Churches, by Larry Tomczak (Buy it Here How to Plant Churches Successfully (A Strategy for Church Growth) || Listen to the Wimber Audio Files on Church Planting || Choose 2 more books on your own to read. (Must be more than 100 pages)P> |
|
Concentration – Biblical ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
The Model
| Master of Divinity |
| [M.Div.] |
| The Master of Divinity program is designed to prepare pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers for a life of effective kingdom service. The Ministry
track supports both academic and practical ministry interests. Within three academic years of full-time attendance, the M.Div. program prepares Christian ministers by enabling them to gain a basic understanding of Scripture, Christian history, theology, and ministry skills within the Christian worldview. |
| The flexibility of the M.Div. degree plan allows students with other
specialized ministry objectives to select tracks which are tailored to specific vocational goals. |
| Degree Requirements
The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree requires 90 or more semester hours, |
| System Requirements
You will need Adobe Acrobat. You can download it here. You will also need an MP3 Player. You can download iTunes here. |
