Bethel Seminary
Concentrations
Men and women in vocational Christian service must be prepared to serve in a broad range of ministries. The servant of God, properly trained, will know how to teach, preach, evangelize, counsel, administrate, and relate helpfully to people. Because of the growing demand for specialization in Christian ministry, however, most students will select defined concentrations in specific vocational interests. While the core courses in the curriculum lay the foundation for a multifaceted ministry, the advanced courses include the students’ concentrations. Students choose these courses in consultation with their advisors. In addition, students will also engage in required supervised internship experiences where they have the opportunity to develop and apply their growing ministry skills.
The post-core courses are selected from among all three centers. Concentrations in the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations include the disciplines of historical studies, biblical studies (both Old Testament and New Testament), and theological studies (including philosophy of religion). Transformational Leadership concentrations include those focusing on discipleship in community, global evangelization and contextual ministry, ministry leadership, and preaching and communication. The Center for Spiritual and Personal Formation offers concentrations in pastoral care and marriage and family studies. For all concentrations, the advanced courses consist of a balance of courses from all areas.
A concentration is defined as a cluster of advanced courses beyond the core, designed intentionally for vocational specialization either in one discipline exclusively or in two or more disciplines from the same area. Students anticipating diversified ministries requiring competence in several disciplines may choose the generalist distribution. This requires a minimum of one advanced course in each discipline within the area chosen. The concentration will be noted on the students’ transcripts.
In the non-concentration area, students may take courses in any of the disciplines, with the exception of Hebrew, where the cap is three courses. In addition, during the student’s total program of study, there is a cap of 10 courses for any one discipline. This maximum of 10 includes both core courses and electives in the discipline.
Admission to a Discipline
The student intending to receive a concentration in a specific discipline must be pursuing course work in the Master of Divinity degree program, is expected to meet specific criteria for admission to the discipline, and must fulfill specified requirements for continuance in the discipline. A faculty advisor will provide insight and assistance in planning a degree program and concentration.
Admission to the seminary does not ensure admission to a particular discipline, and admission to the discipline does not ensure placement in that discipline. The seminary reserves the right to consider as part of admission to and continuance in a discipline those personal qualities, general health, scholastic achievement, conduct, attitude, or other standards seen as appropriately related.
Descriptions of Concentrations
Applied Area
Children’s & Family Ministry
This concentration is currently available only in the InMinistry delivery format. Concentration courses include CF101 (in lieu of DC101), HS103 (in lieu of HS101), HS220 (in lieu of HS102), PC213 (in lieu of PC101), CF141 (in lieu of ML113), CF102, PC245, DC242, SP213, CF122, CF131, CF132, ML15X, and four electives from the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations.
Community Ministry
In this concentration, Bethel students prepare to work with populations commonly found in an urban ministry context. Any community group is considered a possible target for community ministry, but special attention is given to at-risk groups or groups with special needs. Concentration courses include GC215, GC216, GC217, GC218 and GC221.
Discipleship in Community
The Discipleship in Community concentration is provided for the student who plans to be involved with both the pastoral and educational ministries of the church. The aim of the concentration is to build skills and understanding in educational studies, integrating them with biblical, theological, and historical disciplines. A student’s particular ministry call and goals will influence course selection. Areas of focus include: general Christian Education, Family Ministries, Adult Ministries, Youth Ministries, Children’s Ministries, Women’s Ministries, or Teaching/Higher Education. (Electives: Five DC, two CTL, one BTF, one SPF)
Family Ministry
The Family Ministry concentration helps students develop ministry approaches to entire families. While many graduates will serve in positions such as children’s ministry, youth ministry, or associate pastorates, they are equipped to offer programs and pastoral care that focus on nurturing families throughout their various life stages. Those interested in private counseling and licensure should pursue licensure in a Marriage and Family Therapy program. (Electives: PC242, PC245, PC211; two of DC220, 236, 240; DC or MF elective; PC or MF elective; one BTF, one CTL)
Marriage and Family Studies
The Marriage and Family Studies concentration allows students to learn the skills both to provide pastoral leadership and to understand family systems. It teaches students to teach, preach, and administer programs in ways that are sensitive to family issues, and to understand systemic dynamics of congregational life. Students who wish to earn a Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy must complete additional supervised clinical practice and take a licensing exam. (Electives: MF101, MF102, MF103, MF121, MF122, MF131, MF132, one BTF, one CTL)
Global Evangelization and Contextual Ministry
Urgent concerns for world evangelization focus the mission concentration on what is necessary to develop leaders for a multicultural partnership with churches around the world. A thorough biblical and theological foundation with emphasis on cross-cultural studies is provided. The aim is developing prayerful support of missions in order to start and multiply churches to produce disciples who meet the needs of people in Christ’s name. (Electives: Five GC, two CTL, one SPF, one BTF)
Pastoral Care
The concentration in Pastoral Care enables students to prepare for the counseling tasks common in ministry settings as well as for preventive educational efforts in the church. It uses the pastoral framework, but also aims at preparing laypeople to effectively reach out to hurting people. (Electives: TS260 or PC244, six PC, one BTF, one CTL)
Ministry Leadership
The Ministry Leadership concentration is designed for individuals anticipating service as pastors of local churches. Recognizing the diversity of roles demanded of the pastor, the concentration’s primary focus is on development of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of an effective servant leader. Opportunity is also provided for work in spirituality, pastoral care, and preaching. (Electives: Five ML, two CTL, one BTF, one SPF)
Preaching and Communication
This focus of study is for students anticipating a ministry role of proclamation in the church. Competencies to be developed include sermon preparation and delivery, use of homiletical techniques, integration of biblical exegesis, cultural sensitivity, and theological reflections with appropriate evaluative skills. (Electives: Five preaching, two CTL, one SPF, one BTF)
Youth Ministry
This concentration prepares students to lead ministries to young people in both church and parachurch settings. A theological foundation and philosophical understanding of ministry to youth and their families in light of current issues is developed. Specific competencies are attained through course work and a two-year internship under the supervision of Youth Leadership, Inc. The experiential component focuses on the integration of theology, theory, and practice. Students must apply to Youth Leadership, Inc. for acceptance into this concentration. (Electives: CE235, CE236, CE245 or CE242, PC210, PC222 or ME220, one CTL, one SPF, two BTF)
Classical Area
Christian Thought
A concentration in Christian Thought serves students whose sense of leading points toward teaching, evangelism, discipleship, and apologetics within a pastoral context. In supplementing the broader ministry preparation provided by the Master of Divinity, this concentration gives students a systemic grasp of the Christian worldview. The program may appeal to those who approach church life with a passion for reaching people with the gospel and for strengthening believers by helping them know the reasons for faith. Students in this concentration will also have opportunities to study with outstanding visiting scholars in philosophy of religion. Students participate in internships with the Department of Supervised Ministry. Those who sense a call to outreach or discipleship ministry using the concentration in Christian Thought may develop their internships with those ministries in view. Available in St. Paul only. (Electives: TS241, TS201, 202 or 203; one TS, three PH, one SPF, two CTL)
Historical Studies
This concentration prepares students for ministry by selecting courses designed to describe Christian diversity. Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant experiences in Europe and America will enrich one’s understanding of Christendom. It will also inspire solidarity with a geographical and temporal world, which will foster a truly international mission. (Electives: HS201, HS202, or HS203; four HS, one OT, NT or TS, two CTL, one SPF)
New Testament
This concentration seeks to assist those students who desire to preach and teach authoritatively from the Greek New Testament and/or seek to pursue further graduate training in this area. It does so by building upon the basic beginning Greek with which a student enters the concentration and the four required Greek New Testament courses in the core curriculum. (Electives: four NT; two OT, TS, or HS; two CTL, one SPF)
Old Testament
Students will strengthen their ministry preparation by learning the essentials of the Hebrew language, develop exegetical skills in interpreting the Hebrew Bible, and gain a deeper appreciation for the theological message of the Old Testament. (Electives: four OT; two TS, HS, or NT; two CTL, one SPF)
Theological Studies
The student will be helped to develop expertise in responding to the critical theological, ethical, and apologetic issues faced today. This concentration will benefit men and women in a variety of ministries including church, parachurch, higher education, writing, and chaplaincy. This program will enhance understanding of theological issues and the skills of theological analysis and synthesis. (Electives: HS201, 202 or 203; four TS; one HS, OT, or NT; two CTL, one SPF)
Combined Areas
Biblical Exposition
This concentration is designed for those who anticipate a pulpit ministry focused on biblical expositional preaching. Hebrew and/or Greek language study is required. By selecting courses from both the classical and applied areas, the student is helped to integrate language study with a proclamation ministry.
Generalist Area
Students who anticipate placement requiring competence in several disciplines or where specialization is not necessary may wish to choose the Generalist concentration as a way of strengthening their ministry skills. Courses are chosen from the various departments on the basis of the student’s particular interest and vocational goals. Students are required to take a minimum of one advanced course in each department of the Generalist concentration area.
The Bethel Seminary Catalog is provided online as a convenience for those who desire course information in electronic form. The printed version of the Bethel Seminary catalog is the official version, and it will be treated as the document of record in all seminary business.