Mission Major

This course of studies develops the education and training of the Foundation Certificate with its competencies. It has an emphasis on Mission.  

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This degree program consists of three years of theoretical training at the seminary and one year of internship.

At ETS the Bachelor of Theology (equivalent) can be attained with three years of full-time study. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical application and Christian ministry experience and is designed to equip the student for work in a local church, mission or parachurch activity.

The Foundation Certificate is a required basis for the studies that follow hence its competencies apply to the B.Th. plus the following for the Mission Major.

General Competencies

  • Acquire a basic understanding of the Bible and use reference works such as Lexica, Concordances and Commentaries effectively.

  • Produce a synthesis of the development of the history and theology of the Christian church.

  • Understand and apply critical judgment as to the place of the social sciences in Christian ministry.

  • During the course of the program to experience spiritual growth, personal development and professional maturity to be able to function competently and responsibly in a leadership capacity.

  • Acquire and develop communication and relational skills that will enable practical competence.

  • Through spiritual formation and mentoring to appreciate how spiritual development operates.

  • To apply the skills and abilities needed for the practice of ministry.

Specific Competencies

  • Acquire and develop communication skills to function in a cross-cultural environment.

  • Prepare to exercise responsible leadership with an awareness of other World Religions.

  • Exhibit a sensitivity to members of other world religions

  • Describe and apply basic missiological principles to various cultural concerns.

  • Articulate and personify a practical theology for the task of leadership in a mission context. 

 

Curriculum

Year one

THEOLOGY 1 ECTS
OT Survey 3
NT Survey 3
Hermeneutics 3
Pentecostalism 3
Introduction to Christian Doctrines 3
Total 15

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY ECTS
Music Ministries 3
Understanding Human Behaviour 3
Christian Education 3
Church Planting and Growth 3
Missiology 3
Total 15

GENERAL EDUCATION ECTS
Introduction to Psychology 3
Human Sexuality 3
Sociology 3
Introduction to Christian Care 3
Library Research and Writing 3
Total 15

SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND PRACTICE      ECTS
Practicum I 9
Spiritual Formation I 3
Field Ministry I 3
Total 15

Foundation Year 60

 

Year two

THEOLOGY 2 ECTS
Greek I 3
NT Pro Seminar 3
NT Exegesis I 3
NT Exegesis II 3
NT Book Study 3
Total 15

THEOLOGY 3 ECTS
Church History I 3
Church History II 3
Ethics 3
Conflict Management 3
Principles of Teaching 3
Total 15

MISSION CONCENTRATION ECTS
Theology of Missions 3
Contextualization 3
Current Trends in Missions 3
Social Issues in Missions 3
History of Missions 3
Total 15

SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND PRACTICE     ECTS
Practicum II 9
Spiritual Formation II 3
Field Ministry II 3
Total 15

Year 2 60

 

Year three

THEOLOGY 4 ECTS
Hebrew I 3
OT Pro Seminar 3
OT Exegesis I 3
OT Exegesis II 3
OT Book Study 3
Total 15

THEOLOGY 5 ECTS
Systematic Theology I 3
Systematic Theology II 3
Christian Denominations and Sects 3
Homiletics 3
Senior Paper 6
Total 18

MISSION CONCENTRATION ECTS
Diaspora Missiology 3
Missiological Research 3
Engaging World Religions 3
Unreached People Groups 3
Total 12


SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND PRACTICE     ECTS
Practicum III 9
Spiritual Formation III 3
Field Ministry III 3
Total 15

Year 3 60

Year four

Length

The professional practicum begins on September 15 and continues until September 14 of the following year (full-time practicum). Ten weeks a year are permitted for vacation, research and writing. In individual cases this time schedule can be modified with the school’s permission. The practicum can be extended into a two-year practicum (part-time practicum) if the student is involved in another occupation during the internship time. Missions majors must serve their internship year outside their home country.

Location of Practicum

It is primarily the responsibility of the student to find an internship site. This place of internship, however, must be determined in dialogue with the school. The practicum can take place in a local church or in a transdenominational organization. A qualified internship supervisor must be available on site.

Requirements of the Practicum

  1. A full-time professional practicum should consist of a 40-hour week. (This does not include personal devotions, etc.). The part-time practicum consists of a 15-hour week.

  2. Graduation Paper. A 55- to 70-page paper that consists of a theological and personal reflection of one’s practicum and ministry. Details of the internship requirements may be obtained from the Director of Practical Ministries.