Through coursework, year-long internships and relationships with each other and mentors, students in this program will be prepared for possible future theological education and various entry-level ministry positions in churches and organizations – locally and worldwide.

This program will prepare students for such ministries as:

• Youth ministry
• Worship leadership; community development, missions and social agencies
• Lay ministry within the church
• Future seminary training and theological education.

Minors

The studies in ministry minor is grounded in a belief in the Triune God, and in a belief that we are called to love others as God has loved us. Thus its goals are to:

• Help students explore Christian ministry as vocation
• Equip students for Christian ministry by nurturing a community of learners who can love, think, discern, serve and pray together
• Foster the development of a theological framework for ministry
• Encourage students to develop spiritual disciplines that will sustain a lifetime of discipleship and service
• Provide all students with the opportunity to begin a lifelong love of theology and commitment to the church
• Serve the church by providing women and men who have been trained to lead and serve in many different aspects of Christian ministry.

The minor has three different tracks; Social Witness, Worship Leadership, (with two sub-tracks: pastoral and musical) and Youth Ministry. Depending on the track and courses chosen, the minor will comprise 25-30 credit hours, to be distributed across required classes, electives and an internship. Before applying for acceptance into the minor, students are required to take a prerequisite course: a two-credit introductory course (MIN 201 – Foundations for Theology and Ministry). The introductory course is designed to help provide students with a common language for thinking about theology and ministry, as well as to help them in their discernment process as they decide whether to pursue this minor. Students must have taken it to be eligible to apply for acceptance into the Studies in Ministry minor. (Details of the application process will be provided during MIN 201. Applications are reviewed each spring semester).

All students accepted into the minor are required to take one of the following Religion courses: REL 241, REL 261, REL 262, or REL 263; a capstone seminar course sequence; and an internship. The four-credit capstone sequence will meet across one school year—two courses of two credits each. It will, in most cases, be taken at the same time as students are doing their required internship. The four to eight credit internship will require six to twelve hours per week of involvement with a ministry or organization throughout one school year, depending on the number of credits selected. Summer internships are also possible.

In addition, each of the three tracks within the minor has one required concentration course and one or two elective courses, depending on the track.

Each student will be matched with a mentor for the duration of the student’s involvement in the minor. Mentors will be chosen in conversation with students, the coordinator of mentoring and internships and the director of the minor.

Required Courses for All Tracks

Prerequisites:

• MIN 201 – Foundations for Theology and Ministry, 2 credits

Required Courses:

One of the following Religion courses and all of the following Ministry courses:

• REL 241 – Introduction to History of Christianity, 4 credits
• REL 261 – Faith Seeking Understanding, 4 credits
• REL 262 – The Prayer, the Creed, the Commandments, 4 credits, or
• REL 263 – Perspectives on Christ, 4 credits
  Capstone course sequence of MIN 371, 372 to be taken concurrently with the internship
• MIN 371 – Theology of Ministry I, 2 credits
• MIN 372 – Theology of Ministry II, 2 credits
  Year-long internship in a Christian ministry:
• MIN 398 – Internships in Ministry I, 2-4 credits
• MIN 399 – Internships in Ministry II, 2-4 credits

Social Witness

26-30 required credits

For specific training in community development work, social agencies, or mission work, whether national or international.

Additional Required Course:

• MIN 323 – Theology of Social Witness and Mission, 4 credits

In addition to the required courses, students must take 8 credits of flagged courses, 4 credits from each block. Please note that some of these courses have prerequisites.

Block A:

• COMM 140 – Public Presentation, 4 credits
• COMM 210 – Interpersonal Communication, 4 credits
• COMM 371 – Intercultural Communication, 4 credits
• LDRS 201 – Intro to Leadership, 2 credits and
• LDRS 291 – The Influential Leader, 2 credits
• PSY 280 – Social Psychology, 4 credits

Block B:

• HIST 221 – Colonial and Post-Colonial Africa: African Perspectives on Colonialism, 4 credits
• HIST 260 – History of Latin America Since 1810, 4 credits
• POL 151 – Introduction to Global Politics, 4 credits
• POL 262 – Latin American Politics, 4 credits
• POL 305 – African Politics, 4 credits
• POL 348 – Race and American Politics, 4 credits
• SOC 269 – Race and Ethnic Relations, 4 credits
• REL 281 – Introduction to World Religions, 4 credits
• REL 366 – World Christianity, 4 credits
• SOC 356 – Social Movements, 4 credits
• SOC 365 – Sociology of Education and Childhood, 4 credits
• WS 160/POL 160 – Women in a Global Society, 4 credits

Worship Leadership

25-29 required credits

For specific training in music and/or pastoral leadership within worshipping communities, whether traditional or contemporary. Selection requirements and track expectations will differ depending on whether a student is more interested in musical or pastoral leadership.

Additional required courses:

• MIN 321 – Theology of Music and Worship, 4 credits
• MUS 328 – Music in the Church, 3 credits; this course is offered every other fall semester

In addition to the required courses, students must take 4 credits of flagged courses. Flagged courses differ by sub-track. Please note that some of these courses have prerequisites.

Pastoral sub-track:

• COMM 140 – Public Presentation, 4 credits
• COMM 210 – Interpersonal Communication, 4 credits
• LDRS 201 – Intro to Leadership, 2 credits and
• LDRS 291 – The Influential Leader, 2 credits
• PSY 280 – Social Psychology, 4 credits
• THEA 110 – Acting for the Non-Major, 2 credits and
• THEA 130 – Oral Interpretation of Literature, 2 credits

Musical sub-track:

• 4 credits of music courses, to be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on skills and interests of student.

Youth Ministry

26-30 required credits

For specific training in youth ministry settings, whether in churches or para-church organizations.

Additional required course:

• MIN 325 – Theology of Youth Ministry, 4 credits

In addition to the required courses, students must take 8 credits of flagged courses, 4 credits from each block. Please note that some of these courses have prerequisites.

Block A:

• PSY 230 – Developmental Psychology, 4 credits
• PSY 280 – Social Psychology, 4 credits
• SOC 233 – Sociology of the Family, 4 credits
• SOC 281 – Sociology of Popular Culture, 4 credits
• SOC 365 – Sociology of Education and Childhood, 4 credits

Block B:

• COMM 140 – Public Presentation, 4 credits
• COMM 210 – Interpersonal Communication, 4 credits
• COMM 220 – Task Group Leadership, 4 credits
• COMM 320 – Family Communication, 4 credits
• LDRS 201 – Intro to Leadership, 2 credits and
• LDRS 291 – The Influential Leader, 2 credits

Ministry

201. Foundations for Theology and Ministry — This course explores the relationship between Christian theology and ministry. Basic theological concepts and doctrines will be introduced and studied in terms of their relationship to Christian worship, discipleship, and proclamation. The importance of worship, the Church, Christian theology, Christian spirituality, and contemporary culture for the practice of ministry will be explored. This course is required for applying to the studies in ministry minor.
2 Credits | Spring

321. Theology of Worship and Music — This course will explore the unique role that music plays in the spiritual growth of a Christian disciple and in a corporate body of believers. We will consider how different types of music may be more or less appropriate for the various movements of worship (exaltation, celebration, confession, supplication, intercession, remembrance) and how the pious practices of the faith intersect with our ordinary and mundane lives by studying the movements of worship in the church calendar, with particular emphasis given to the sacraments and the Trinity.
4 Credits | Fall

323. Theology of Social Witness and Mission — An introduction to the intercultural dimension of the church’s life and mission, including insights drawn from cultural anthropology, communications theory, mission history, biblical hermeneutics, and mission theology. Special attention is given to developing a theology of cultural plurality with implications for witness, conversion, and ministry.
4 Credits | Fall

325. Theology of Youth Ministry — This course will offer an examination of contemporary youth culture and adolescent religious development with a view to developing a faithful Christian ministry to young people, as well as to developing skills to analyze aspects of culture and the ministry of the church.
4 Credits | Fall

371. Theology of Ministry I — This course is the first part of a two-part course sequence designed to help integrate the different classroom, experiential, and spiritually nurturing components of the Studies in Ministry minor within a theological framework for Christian life and ministry. Taken concurrently with students' required internship, in most cases, the course will provide opportunity for reflection upon both students' ministry experience and the theological underpinnings for ministry.
2 Credits | Fall

372. Theology of Ministry II — This is the second course in a two-part course sequence designed to help students integrate the different classroom, experiential, and spiritually nurturing components of the Studies in Ministry minor within a theological framework for Christian life and ministry. The end result of this course will be the development by each student of a theology and philosophy of ministry that can help to frame and sustain his or her current and future life of ministry.
2 Credits | Spring

395. Studies in Ministry — A course offered in response to student and instructor interest. Topics are not generally covered in the regular course listings. Course may be taken multiple times if topics are different.
1-4 Credits | As Needed

398. Internships in Ministry I — A closely supervised practical experience in a church, para-church ministry, community development organization, or other relevant setting. This experience will involve nine hours a week of supervised involvement with the ministry or organization for a full academic year. The internship includes regular meetings with an on-site supervisor and bi-weekly meetings between student and mentor, as well as the creation of a Learning Covenant by each student.
2-4 Credits | Fall

399. Internships in Ministry II — This course is a continuation of 398. See the course description above for more information.
2-4 Credits | Spring

• Arnold, ShellyHope CollegeCenter for Ministry StudiesBig Read Lakeshore

  VanZoeren 250 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423-3617

  Work616.395.7320

  arnolds@hope.edu
• Banner, JoshHope CollegeCenter for Ministry Studies

  VanZoeren Hall 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423

  Work616.395.7320

  bannerj@hope.edu
• Benedict, BruceHope CollegeCampus MinistriesCenter for Ministry Studies

  Keppel House 129 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3698

  Work616.395.7145

  benedict@hope.eduMore Information
• Conner, BenjaminHope CollegeCenter for Ministry Studies

  Van Zoeren Hall Room 249 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423

  Work616.395.7320

• Jantzen, MattHope CollegeCenter for Ministry Studies

  Van Zoeren Hall 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423

  Work616.395.7320

  jantzen@hope.edu
• McCoy, Dr. AndyHope CollegeCenter for Ministry Studies

  VanZoeren 249/250 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423-3698

  Work616.395.7320

  mccoya@hope.eduMore Information
• VanPutten, PamHope CollegeCenter for Ministry Studies

  VanZoeren 249 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423

  Work616.395.7326

  vanputtenp@hope.edu