CHRISTIAN MINISTERIAL STUDIES (CMS)

Students in this program are required to complete 60-credit hours of COGBF coursework. Credits from outside institutions are unacceptable. Completion of this programs prepares candidates to become ordained/consecrated ministers in the COGBF. Each program requires the same 15 core courses and is distinguished by the five highly specialized courses in each program area. In addition to the courses listed below, all certificate-seeking students must  take the appropriate Examining Board class the summer before your graduation. The required courses for this program are:
ABS501 Advanced Biblical Studies – This class is a comprehensive study of The Good Book, which offers a user-friendly guide to the Bible’s biggest ideas. A chapter from the Bible accompanies each chapter of the book, which helps students understand the context and content of the Scripture passages in a way that can open the whole Bible.  This class is for pastors, ministers and leaders who already love and read the Bible regularly as well as to those who are just beginning their Christian journey.
 
CHR101: Introduction to Church Planting  – This course provides instructions on methods and procedures for church planting and church multiplication as well as how to motivate those who have a heart for starting churches throughout the United States and abroad.
 
 

CSL101: Introduction to Counseling This first counseling course introduces students to the field of Christian Counseling with clarity and sensitivity. It builds on biblical foundations and the best resources of professional psychology. It reflects the insights the author has gained from many years of Christian counseling.

CTC101: The Teaching Ministry Students are expected to complete this course with a good understanding of the teaching ministry and what it takes to be an effective teacher of the Gospel. Upon completion of this course, students will have a teaching outline to assist with organized delivery of sermons and/Bible study lessons.

DOC201: Church of God by Faith Doctrine and Practices This course provides students with an in-depth study of the Ritual of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learned about the COGBF Articles of Faith, Constitution, leadership structure, leadership authority, leadership prohibitions and reporting structure of the COGBF. Students will also learn to perform a variety of different ministerial ceremonies.

ETH101: Ministerial Ethics This course provides students with tools for sharpening their personal and professional decision making skills. It focuses on the unique moral role of the minister and the ethical responsibilities of the vocation and to provide a clear statement of the ethical obligations contemporary clergy should assume in their personal and professional lives.

EVG101: The Theology of Evangelism Part I This course presents theological principles that govern evangelism including how it is performed in the church, as well as the family and personal interaction. It includes preaching, one-on-one witnessing, missions, parenting evangelism, and commissioning and supporting missionaries. Students will learn practical techniques from Master Theologian John MacArthur. This is the first of five courses that helps students qualify for ordination in the Christian Evangelists Training (CET) certification program.

GIS101: COGBF Governing Instrument Studies Part I This course was specifically developed to train students on the official governing policies of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn ministry policies and procedures in this first part of a two part series.

GIS102: COGBF Governing Instrument Studies Part II This course was specifically developed to train students on the official governing policies of the Church of God by Faith. Students will learn ministry policies and procedures in this second part of a two part series.

HIS101: History of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. Students are expected to learn about the key leaders in the COGBF including the founders, bishops and many other important members of the church. Students will learn the history of COGBF conventions, key ministries and auxiliaries while understanding the formulation of specific districts and churches.

HOM101: Introduction to Homiletics will provide a simple and clear explanation for the construction of sermons. This course will cover the basics for understanding homiletical tasks, developing homiletical techniques and the use of homiletical treasury through Old and New Testament passages.
 
LDR101 Introduction to Leadership provides an introduction to the various leadership styles and their effectiveness and/ ineffectiveness in leading God’s people. Recognizing one’s leadership style will provide insight to the results obtained in ministry, at home and in the community of which the leader serves. The course material will focus primarily on God’s plan for Kingdom Leaders.
 

MEN411 – How to Disciple Men Christianity is the only world religion with a chronic shortage of men. This course identifies the barriers to male participation, and explains why it’s so hard to motivate the men who do go to church. You’ve heard the excuses —now learn the real reasons men and boys are fleeing churches of every kind, all over the world. Christianity is the only world religion with a chronic shortage of men. 

MIN101:Examining Board: Introduction to Ministry This is the first of four courses created by the COGBF National Examining Board to prepare aspiring ministers to lead. It introduces Ministerial Certification students to the biblical authority and purpose of ministry.

MIN102: Examining Board: Essential Biblical Principles Students will learn about the dispensations of innocency, conscience, human government and promise. Students will also learn about the seven kingdom parables, the book of Romans and book of Hebrews.

PST301: Introduction to Pastoring This introductory course is the first of a five part series that prepares men to lead the people of God. Topics include: The character of the pastor; the call to pastoral ministry and includes comprehensive training for a pastoral ministry.

SOT101: Survey of the Old Testament Survey of the Old Testament will assist students in seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the Old Testament Scriptures. This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the Old Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the Old Testament into seven areas; the Foundational Books, Complementation Books, Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile, and Prophets after the Exile, however only the Foundational and Complementation Books will be taught in SOT 101.
 
SOT102: Survey of the Old Testament II Survey of the Old Testament will assist students in “seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the Old Testament Scriptures.”1 This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the Old Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the Old Testament into seven areas; the Foundational Books, Complementation Books, Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile, and Prophets after the Exile; however only the Books of Poetry/Wisdom, the Prophets during the Divided Kingdom, Prophets during the Single Kingdom, Prophets during the Exile will be taught in SOT 102.
 
 

SNT101: Survey of the New Testament I This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the New Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the New Testament into five parts; Part I: Introduction, Overview, Background of the New Testament, Part II: The Gospels, Part III: The Acts, Part IV: The Epistles and Part V: The Revelation; however only Parts I and II will be taught in SNT 101.

SNT 102:: Survey of the New Testament II Survey of the New Testament will assist students in seeing the pattern, progression and unity of the New Testament Scriptures. This course will provide students with a strong foundation for Biblical truth and how the foundation relates to the events of the New Testament. Survey of the New Testament is taught in two segments; I and II. This study categorizes the New Testament into five parts; Part I: Introduction, Overview, and Background of the New Testament, Part II: The Gospels, Part III: The Acts, Part IV: The Epistles and Part V: The Revelation; however only Parts III thru V will be taught in SNT 102.