Children & Family Ministry

The BA in Biblical Studies and Children’s & Family Ministry is a program for those who feel called to be an advocate for children and their unique spiritual development within the church community and beyond. Students have the opportunity to live out what they learn in the classroom as they enter into practicums that equip them for church leadership in children’s and family ministries.

PURPOSE

This program is designed for those who are preparing specifically for Children’s and Family Ministry. The core requirements provide a broad foundation of personal and pastoral development in understanding children and how best to nurture their spirituality through safe and meaningful ministry.

PROGRAM LENGTH
    • 129 credit hours
    • 4 years full-time
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dwight Stephen
Dwight Stephens, MA

OBJECTIVES

In addition to meeting the learning objectives required for all programs, the Biblical Studies Major will enable graduates to:

      1. Articulate a biblically and theologically infused personal philosophy of Children’s Ministry.
      2. Incorporate childhood psycho-social-spiritual developmental theories into ministering to children.
      3. Understand how historical and cultural perspectives, both in and outside of churches, influence ministering to children.
      4. Become an advocate in the church and wider community for the health and wellbeing of children and their families.
      5. Exercise competencies in children’s ministry, including teaching, nurturing spiritual formation, recruiting volunteers, and building teams.
      6. Plan programs and activities that promote children’s involvement in the church that are safe and meaningful.
Major Requirements

In addition to completing the 66 credit-hour core, students in this major also take the following:

BIBLE AND THEOLOGY COURSES (15 credit hours)

    • THS 490 Theological Method (3)
    • Bible and Theology Electives (12 credits hours)
      This includes Bible, Theology, Biblical Language, or Apologetics courses.
    •  

MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COURSES (33 credit hours)

A. Children’s Ministry Major Courses (24 credit hours)

      • PTH 201 Spiritual Formation II (3)
      • CFM 301 Philosophy of Children’s Ministry (3)
      • CFM 202 Perspectives on the Child (3)
      • CFM 452 Trends within Children’s Ministry (3)
      • CFM 221 Teaching & Spiritual Formation of Children (3)
      • PTH 201 Spiritual Formation II (3)
      • PMN 282 Leadership Development (3)
      • CFM 463 Family Systems (3)
      • CFM 335 Children’s Ministry Management (3)

B. Practicum Requirements (two of the following; 6 credit hours)

      • CMN 460 Children’s Ministry Practicum (ages 3-5) (3)
      • CMN 460 Children’s Ministry Practicum (ages 6-9) (3)
      • CMN 460 Children’s Ministry Practicum (ages 10-13) (3)

C. Capstone Requirement (3 credit hours)

      • PTH 499 Senior Seminar (3)

OPEN ELECTIVES (15 credit hours)

Program Links

Downloadable Program Checklist (coming soon)

Tuition & Fees

PURPOSE

This two-year diploma is designed for those who are preparing for Children’s and Family Ministry. Students gain a broad foundation of personal and pastoral development in understanding children and how best to nurture their spirituality through safe and meaningful ministry.

PROGRAM LENGTH
    • 64 credit hours
    • 2 years full-time
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dwight Stephen
Dwight Stephens, MA

OBJECTIVES

In addition to meeting the learning objectives required for all programs, the Children and Family Ministry Diploma will enable graduates to:

      1. Articulate a biblically and theologically infused personal philosophy of Children’s Ministry.
      2. Incorporate childhood psycho-social-spiritual developmental theories into ministering to children.
      3. Understand how historical and cultural perspectives, both in and outside of churches, influence ministering to children.
      4. Become an advocate in the church and wider community for the health and wellbeing of children and their families.
      5. Exercise competencies in children’s ministry, including teaching, nurturing spiritual formation, recruiting volunteers, and building teams.
      6. Plan programs and activities that promote children’s involvement in the church that are safe and meaningful.
Major Requirements

In addition to completing the 12 credit-hour core, students in this diploma also take the following:

GENERAL STUDIES (12 credit hours)

    • GEN 100 Personal Resource Management (3)
    • GEN 101 Academic Writing (3)
    • GEN 105 Academic Writing Lab (0)
    • GEN 198 The Christian Mind (3)
    • General Studies Elective (3 credits hours)

BIBLE & THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (9 credit hours)

    • BIB 252 The Gospels (3)
    • Biblical Studies Electives (6 credit hours)
      This includes Bible, Theology, Biblical Language, or Apologetics courses.
    •  

MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COURSES (31 credit hours)

A. Children’s Ministry Major Courses (30 credit hours)

      • CFM 202 Perspectives on the Child (3)
      • CFM 221 Teaching & Spiritual Formation of Children (3)
      • CFM 301 Philosophy of Children’s Ministry (3)
      • CFM 335 Children’s Ministry Management (3)
      • CFM 452 Trends within Children’s Ministry (3)
      • CFM 463 Family Systems (3)
      • PMN 282 Leadership Development (3)
      • PTH 101 Spiritual Formation I (3)
      • PTH 114 Life & Ministry in the Holy Spirit (3)
        or  PTH 325 Evangelism Strategies (3)
      • PTH 201 Spiritual Formation II (3)

B. Practicum Requirements (1 credit hour)

      • CMN 290 Children’s Ministry Practicum (1)
Program Links

Downloadable Program Checklist (coming soon)

Tuition & Fees

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