Learning the Practices of Ministry

Pastoral Studies

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Course Description

This course is a study of contemporary concepts of spiritual leadership with emphases on communication, decision making, conflict management, delegation, financial accountability, stewardship, and operational procedures.

  • CIMS Credit: 2
  • Length: 8 weeks
  • Effort: 3-4 hours per week
  • Subject: Pastoral
  • Venues: DVD, Internet, Distance Learning
  • Language: English, Spanish

The need for material that presents a practical approach to ministry is paramount. That need is fulfilled in the pages of this book. Individuals eminently qualified to address these issues offer patterns and applications out of their experiences. The suggestions offered here are both Biblical and practical. Such important subjects as planning a worship service, administering the sacraments, conducting weddings and funerals, attending to the daily tasks that befall a pastor, and many other relevant matters ministers face every day are covered in this volume. For those just starting in the ministry, this is an invaluable resource. For those who are already actively involved in ministry, this book serves as a refresher course. Both groups can glean information that will enlarge their service for the Lord.

Course Objectives:

After completing this course, students will be able to…

  1. Complete a self-evaluation of their personality and discuss the dynamics of group interaction.
  2. Describe how to conduct the following ceremonies:
    1. Worship
    2. Communion
    3. Dedications
    4. Funerals
    5. Marriages
    6. Footwashing
    7. Visitation
  3. Discuss stewardship for a contemporary society based on Biblical principles.
  4. Manage the budgets and finances of a local church.
  5. Identify and discuss the various aspects of a caring church.
  1. How Do I Know My Calling?
  2. How Does the Church Understand Its Culture?
  3. What is the Outreach Process?
  4. What is the Connecting (Community) Process?
  5. What is the Faith (Character) Development Process?
  6. What is the Expressive-Response Process?
  7. How is Service (Calling) Developed?
  8. How are Systems Created for Ministry?
  9. How Does a Pastor Plan a Worship Service?
  10. How Does a Pastor Administer the Sacraments?
  11. How Does a Pastor Conduct Family Ministry?
  12. How Does a Pastor Bring Comfort?
  13. How Does a Pastor Serve as an Administrator? (Part 1)
  14. How Does a Pastor Serve as an Administrator? (Part 2)
  15. What is the Pastor’s Role in Finances of the Church?
  16. What is the Pastor’s Role in Promoting Stewardship?
  17. How are Financial Reports Created?
  18. What is the Relationship Between the Church and Taxes?
  19. What is the Relationship Between the Church and Legal Issues?
  20. Voice
  21. Vision: Seeing the Ministry of the Church
  22. Organization: Structures for the Church’s Ministry (Part 1)
  23. Organization: Structures for the Church’s Ministry (Part 2)
  24. Involvement: Joins People with God’s Work (Part 1)
  25. Involvement: Joins People with God’s Work (Part 2)
  26. Involvement: Joins People with God’s Work (Part 3)
  27. Care: Shows God’s Love for People
  28. Evangelism: Reaches Local and Global Community with the Gospel

Video Lesson 1: How Do I Know My Calling

Your Instructors

Patrick Ballington

Jeremy Isaacs

Erin and Sam Burleson

Dr. David C. Cooper

Arthur Rhodes

Dr. Mark Walker

What We Will Cover

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Frequently Asked Questions

The total cost for the online program comes out to $2,814. The breakdown of cost is below:

Enrollment and Admission Fee:  $25 (nonrefundable)
Tuition:  $60 per CIMS credit
Study Guides:  Free PDF downloads with online enrollment
Textbooks:  $12 for 1 credit / $20 for 2 credit / $30 for 3 credit
Internet Fee:  $10 per CIMS credit

Generally, students complete within three years. However, there is not a hard restriction when you must complete all courses.

In short, yes. In our online courses, you are able to retest as many times as it takes to achieve a passing score.

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST.

Yes. Grants are available only to credentialed Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) ministers and persons in the credentialing process.

Our courses are used in the licensing process, but completing our courses alone will not make you a licensed minister in the Church of God.  Please visit cogdoe.org/ministerial-licensure for more information.

At the option of Church of God institutions of higher education, CIMS credit may be converted to credit by that institution when the student meets the entrance requirements, is accepted, and enrolls.

If you are a School of Ministry student, please be aware that when a course access is purchased, you will be given 365 days access to that course. Should you need more time, please contact us. If you have not yet applied to the School of Ministry, please click here to begin that process. Once you have filled out the necessary paper work you will be given a link on where to purchase access to the courses.

Please send us any issues by completing the form on the Contact page.

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