NOTE: "Fast-Track" courses for the entry-level minister are in this color of blue. "Advanced Courses" appear in black.

NOTE: You will NOT have to complete all of these courses! You and your advisor can decide what is the appropriate number, based on your experience. The number required can run from as little as three for those with considerable experience and education, to no more than 12 for the student with no ministerial experience or theological education.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 198: Your Ministry and Your Goals: This is a required assignment in that it will help the seminary to know how to design specific training exercises on your behalf, and it will also help you to focus in what areas on ministry you feel called to participate. You’ll be asked to write a brief essay on this topic.

___ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 199: Who has inspired you to enter (on continue in) ministry? This can be real individuals in your life, a grand mother, a favorite pastor or teacher…or…it can be historical figures, saints, etc., who have provided an example that helps prompt you to seek this life of service. Why have you chosen this person … how has she or he influenced your call to ministry? Brief essay.

___ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 200: Why are we different from the other animals on this planet? Genesis says we're made in God's image and likeness, but what does this tell us, really? The Church, particularly the fundamentalist churches, say that we must be "saved." But, why only us? Why not deer? Squirrels? Cats and dogs? Is it because we are more intelligent than most other animals? Great apes and dolphins have extremely high IQ's but the Bible says nothing about them needing to be saved...or to have a special relationship with God. We're told that Jesus came to redeem us. But, why? What do you suppose this "special relationship" with God is all about.... Could it have someghing to do with eternal life? Why do you think it even matters at all for those of us living in the 21st Century? Brief essay.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 219: Old Testament Exploration Broad overview of the Old Testament and exploration of the Bible as divine revelation, literature, and history. We’ll do a brief study of the Old Testament and ask you to write a short essay as to what you believe it’s relevance is, if any, in our modern world

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 220: Facts About The Bible: Since so much of the life of Christianity revolves around the Bible, this is a quick-but-informative course designed to teach you a bit about the “Book” and its history, including facts you may not know. For example, it has been translated into more than a thousand languages and dialects. It was written by an estimated 50 men (yes, men, not women). All of the authors were Jewish except Luke, who was a Gentile.

____ ORD Advanced Theology Track Course 221: Comparative World Religions: A look at various religions from the pagan, Celtic, Native American, Hindu / Buddhist, Islam, Jewish, Shinto, Pacific Islands, etc., to see what similarities there are in the creation story, practice, belief in Afterlife, etc. You’ll write a short essay describing what parts, if any, you appreciate in religions other than your own.

____ ORD Advanced Theology Track Course 222: New Testament Exploration: The New Testament has affected individuals and nations from the time of Christ until now. Why? There are some substantive differences between what Christ taught about life (“seek and ye shall find” and that Love is greater than anything else….) and, say, Paul, who issued rules, chastised new Christian communities, and declared that women need to be submissive to their husbands. Write a brief essay explaining what your feelings are about Christ’s teachings and Paul’s words, telling how they impact your life and your ministry.

____ ORD Advanced Theology Track Course 223: New Testament a Deeper Look: This course looks at the New Testament, book by book through the Gospels (which relate “Christ’s story” through the Pauline letters, written by St. Paul to the various Christian communities of the early church. We explore how Paul became the first Christian theologian and how his views pointed The Church in a certain direction, continuing even to this day. This is a rather complex course, taking more time to complete than most, and is designed for the student who is interested in Theology as opposed to practical ministry.

____ ORD Advanced Theology Track Course 224: The Holy Spirit’s Role In The Church: This is another course for the theologically-minded student as opposed to the student interested in practical ministry. This course explores the Biblical references to the Spirit, as well as the Holy Spirit’s “gifts” to humankind, their origin, and practical application today. This course involves Biblical and other research.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 238: Ethics in Christianity: We’ll look at Christ’s teaching about forgiveness, and not judging, and not casting the first stone, and even in supporting governments you don’t like (“Render unto Caesar…”), creating wealth, etc. Write a brief essay as to your position on Christ’s teachings.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 241: Christ as Psychologist: Our dean teaches that, even if you didn’t believe at all in the divinity of Christ, if you just did the things he recommended in social, political, and family situations, you’d have a great life. We’ll look at issues such as forgiveness vs. “kick the dust from your sandals as you walk away from their door.” We’ll give you some lovely examples about Christ’s concept of love and forgiveness and asking God to help manifest peace and prosperity. Then, you’ll be asked to write a brief Essay: Were Christ’s teaching only religious in nature, or did he promote sound principles for daily living, even among non-believers?

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 243: Christ as Lover of Outcast, the Ill, and People With Special Needs: We all know that Jesus didn’t pal around with the “right” kinds of people. He avoided what we would today consider “the country club set” and made a point of not cozying up to the governmental, religious, and financial elite of the day. Instead, he hung around with fishermen, women, lepers, despised “foreigners” (like the Samaritan woman), and people who were lame, injured…people with physical challenges. Today, we have handicapped parking spots and the Americans With Disabilities Act, yet, is this enough? What should the Church be doing, if anything, to level the playing field for people with mobility, mental, and other disabilities? To use the often-overworked question, “What would Jesus do” today? Brief essay, please.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 249: The Media And The Church: Do programs on cable tv, or movies such as Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” offer teaching and inspiration that has traditionally been given by The Church?

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 253: Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction: Clearly, we cannot turn our seminary program students into qualified and competent counselors. Still, parishioners and congregation members will come to you for counsel and advice. We’ll help prepare you to know what your limits are, to help you avoid doing any harm. And, we’ll provide you with some resources for referring people with complex issues to qualified counselors, social workers, and physicians. (Advanced classes available leading to a degree in counseling in a spiritual setting. Taught by a masters-degreed licensed certified social worker.)

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 254. Introduction to Church Administration 101: Here, we will explore the dynamics of church administration and worship. While most churches will have a board of directors to oversee general operations, often the pastor is cast in the role of CEO of the church. Things you’ll find helpful…and pitfalls to avoid.

___ ORD Fast-track Fast-track Ordination Course 255: Worship Techniques and Practices: What are the common forms of public worship used in Christianity today? We’ll look at liturgical churches (those whose services are conducted by a strictly-prescribed, traditional, formula), and those with a more open format. We’ll look at sermon techniques, Holy Communion, and the role of music in the service. You’ll write a brief essay describing the sort of service you’d like to “run” once ordained, with a few reasons as to why you have made such choices.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 254. How To Pray – Prayer Form, Techniques, and Style: Here, we will look at Christ’s teaching on prayer. For example, The Lord’s Prayer isn’t so much a prayer as it is a formula for how to pray. Christ prayed almost constantly – being in touch with Heaven/God/Spirit. There are 21 verses in which Christ’s name and references to prayer appear together. This is a fun, inspiring brief course. A short essay will be required.

____ ORD Fast-track Ordination Course 257. Forgiveness – Both a Practical and Biblical Perspective: We’re constantly asked by those who hurt us to forgive them. Yet, so often, they go right out and hurt us again. This is a practical brief course that will show you how to not forgive those who have wronged us simply because they ask for it, but to explore ways that we can forgive once we believe they really understand what they did that was damaging…and what kinds of steps they have taken to ensure that the same offense won’t be committed again and again in the future. A short essay will be required.

____ ORD Advanced Theology Track Course 262: Apologetics: Simply defined, this is a particular church’s defense of their unique belief system. The term comes from the Greek "apologia" which means to create a defense. (1 Peter 3:15.) Usually, apologetics are aimed at chastising or attempting to instruct members of another religion.

____ ORD Advanced Ministerial Track Course 265: Healing The Healers – When Ministers Become Depressed, Burned-Out, or Have Doubts: The course description pretty much says it all. This advanced class helps pastors and those in other ministries deal with the difficulties that come along with this chosen profession. You may be the sufferer or, by taking this class, you may be better equipped to help a ministerial colleague. This is a reading and self-directed course with a Love Church mentor to help guide you in locating resourcse, on the internet, published, or even support activities in your local community.