Introduction to the Themes and Clusters of Experience

The curriculum is built upon ten key themes, and clusters of learning experiences under these themes. The ten themes are listed below. The distinctives of the Themes and Clusters model are as follows...

• The curriculum is structured to provide a foundation for livelong learning. Each of the themes is an area of study to be launched and stimulated by designated learning experiences (i.e., .1, .2 and .3).
• Neither the curriculum themes nor the designated clusters of learning experiences can be described as courses in the ordinary uses of that word; they are instead considered sets of learning experiences and outcomes.
• The learning experiences are offered in a non-sequential manner and are appropriated by students to meet their learning needs with no stipulation of sequence or priority.
• Themes and their learning experiences vary in scope of content, methodology, emphasis and duration.
• All assessments will be developed as parts of a "portfolio system." The transfer of credits and equivalency will be recommended on the basis of the portfolio.
• Assessment of prior learning will also be accounted through the portfolio.
• All learning themes are explicitly assessed in comparison with the ATS standards and in terms of the RTS equivalent courses.

The Ten Themes

1. A Responsible Interpreter of Scripture

1. Discipline of Theology (structure and method)
   • Overview and nomenclature of theology
   • Divisions of theology (Theology Proper, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, etc.)
   • Biblical theology, Historical theology, Practical theology
2. Content of the Bible
   • How to study the Bible, Familiarity with PC study Bibles and reference works
3. Tool Skills of Translation (experiential component)
   • Original language tools

2. A Motivated Participant in Evangelism

1. Motivation of Evangelism: Biblical and Experiential
   • What is the gospel?
   • How do people come to know Christ? Calvinism vs Arminianism
   • Key theological issues in church history (Arian heresy, etc.)
2. Practices in Evangelism (experiential component)
   • Contagious Christian Series, Evangelism Plus, evangelistic small groups
   • Understanding that prospects are at different stages of receptivity
3. Debriefing, Stories, and Skill Building

3. A Builder of Relationships with People

1. Doctrine of Anthropology
   • What is the nature of man? Image of God = valued (James 3:9); Depraved = worthless
     (Romans 3:10-11)
2. Literature from Social Sciences
3. Inquiry Skills of Anthropology (experiential component)
   • Ethnography, Learning to interpret people

4. A Communicator

1. Small Group Interaction
2. Organizing and Expressing Ideas
   • Rick Warren material, Listen to a variety of preachers via tapes
3. Facilitating, Teaching, and Preaching (experiential component)
   • Weekly opportunities to communicate in various settings, audience needs analysis

5. A Leader of the Church

1. Biblical Theology of the Church: Ecclesiology
2. Functions in the Church
   • Spiritual gifts—Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
   • Offices in the church: Worship, sacraments, weddings and funerals
3. Church as Learning Center (experiential component)

6. A Planner, Pioneer, and Steward—the Vision and Responsibility of a Minister

1. The Active Process of Stewardship: People, Resources and Funds
   • Understanding the organizational structure of the church in its various stages of growth
2. Making and Managing Budgets (experiential component)
3. The Entrepreneurial Vision
   • Seeking God's will
   • Developing plans
   • Cultivating resources, fund raising

7. An Evangelistic Organizer of the Church

A leader who is evangelistically driven, but understands the need to provide spiritual guidance and opportunities for growth to God's people.

1. Biblical Images of the Leader
   • Styles of leadership: What makes a person a leader? Understanding the difference between a leader and an organizer/manager
2. Learning to Hear the Church (experiential component)
   • Surveys: Demographic, psychographic, needs, communication both ways
3. Providing Spiritual Guidance for the People of God
   • The pastor's role of encouraging spiritual growth which leads Christians to do outreach

8. A Disciplined Spiritual Leader (Godly Person)

1. Purity and Ethics
   • Biblical and theological studies
2. Maturing Spiritually
   • Understands the ministry of the Holy Spirit
   • Literature review
3. Knowing Oneself as Known by God (experiential component)
   • Spiritual disciplines

9. A Church Planter

Note: An intensive focus for pastoral students; an overview for students with other ministry goals.

1. Biblical Guidance for Church Growth
   • Understanding the biblical principles from Jesus and others concerning church planting and church growth (Matthew 28:18-20)
2. Evidences of a Church's Reproductive Maturity
3. Field Work in Church Planting (experiential component)

10. A Minister of Varied Competencies

1. Age-Specific Ministries (experiential component)
   • Responsibility for a specific ministry in a local church
2. Skill-Specific Ministries (experiential component)
   • Understanding the different skills needed for different tasks
3. Institution-Specific Ministries (experiential component)
   • Schools, nursing homes, hospitals and prisons