Cross-Cultural Ministry Center

Curriculum Summary

Meeting the multi-cultural contextual needs of 21st Century America, and the needs of the LCMS, the Cross-cultural Ministry Center provides academic and practical training, forming missionary pastors and church leaders for culture-crossing ministries.

Academic

Full certification for ordination into the pastoral ministry of the LCMS
A M.A. Theology degree with an emphasis in Theology and Culture

The certification portion of the curriculum includes 6 semester hours of Greek, 45 semester hours of theology coursework, and 4+ years of concurrent vicarage experience.

The M.A. Theology portion of the curriculum includes 32 semester hours of coursework.

The entire program is typically completed in four years.

Pastoral Certification Courses
TEXO 507: Old Testament Isagogics Introductory treatment of the Torah, the Prophets, the Historical Books, and the Writings. The history of Israel is surveyed and each book studied in the light of this historical background. Emphasis is placed on the content, form and composition, theological motifs, and relevance of the materials contained in the same.	3
TEXO 510: Old Testament Book Option A major Old Testament book is studied in detail to uncover sermonic and Bible study concepts for communication	3
TGRE 501: Greek l A study of the fundamentals of New Testament Greek. Morphology, syntax, and vocabulary for translation and linguistic analysis of passages of the New Testament.	3
TGRE 502: Greek ll A continued study of the fundamentals of the New Testament Greek. Morphology, syntax, and vocabulary for translation and linguistic analysis of passages of the New Testament. Will also overview appropriate use of Bible study software for Greek translation. Prerequisite: TGRE 501 or equivalent.	3
TEXN 510: The Synoptic Gospels and Acts The course offers a comprehensive overview of all isagogical information concerning the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. An individual Gospel will also be selected and translated in the course. Focus will be on the theological meaning and emphasis of a particular Gospel and its modern application. Prerequisite: TGRE 502 or equivalent.	3
TEXN 520 The Pauline Epistles The course offers a comprehensive overview of the Pauline corpus (excluding the Prison Epistles and the Pastorals), as well as an in-depth study of correspondence with one of the congregations. Inspection of the literary, cultural, and structural issues of this correspondence will be a major feature of the course. Major attention will be paid to the theological content and meaning of this correspondence with suggested applications for contemporary issues. Prerequisite: TGRE 502 or equivalent.	3
TEXN 540: Paul's Prison Epistles, the Pastoral Epistles, General Epistles, and Hebrews The course offers a comprehensive overview of all isagogical information concerning Paul's Prison Epistles, the Pastoral Epistles, the General Epistles, and Hebrews. Individual books will also be selected for in-depth translation and application. Particular attention will be paid to the pastoral and church related issues proclaimed in the epistles towards a practical competency of leading a congregation in the ethnic, multi-cultural context of modern pastoral mission work. Prerequisite: TGRE 502 or equivalent.	3
TEXN 532: Apocalyptic/Johannine Literature The course offers a comprehensive overview of the Johannine Corpus as well as an in-depth study of one of the books. Literary genre, exegetical and interpretational issues will be examined as to how they enhance one's understanding of the book. Prerequisite: TGRE 502 or equivalent.	3
TPRC 502: Pastoral Theology The theology and practice of the church in her Word and Sacrament ministry, with biblical and confessional principles identified and applied for evangelical pastoral practice. A variety of pastoral care areas are considered to demonstrate the ministry of addressing and administering the Word and Sacraments to God's people, individually and corporately, in their human situation. Lectures, written projects, case studies and discussions form the core for this course, along with pertinent readings in each area. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Cross-Cultural Ministry Program or consent of the instructor.	3
TPRC 503: Pastor as Counselor Theoretical and practical consideration of counseling foundations, techniques and practices as these pertain to parish and institutional ministries, with a view toward developing a personal methodological approach to pastoral counseling that integrates the Law/Gospel principle. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Cross-Cultural Ministry Program or consent of the instructor.	3
TPRC 521: Pastor as Missionary The course first roots the work of "evangelism/outreach" in a thoroughly biblical view of mission and develops practical outreach methodologies to be executed in the Lutheran congregation and/or mission setting. Secondly, this course will have the student produce an "educational" plan that will allow the identification, training and deploying of committed Christian leaders for the growth of Christ's Church. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Cross-Cultural Ministry Program or consent of the instructor.	3
TPRC 530: Homiletics I Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a function of Christian witness, the mammoth task in the pastor's calling, and an element of the congregation's worship. The course focuses on preaching from a text, lectures, regular written assignments and several complete sermons. Study of communication theory and development or oral communication skills, with special reference to effective proclamation of the full counsel of God (Law and Gospel). Laboratory preaching experience is video recorded for critical evaluation by instructor, students and speaker. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Cross-Cultural Ministry Program and Thl 529 or consent of the instructor.	3
TPRC 531: Homiletics II Purpose, function and structure of a sermon. Textual preaching especially on parables, miracles, and Old Testament texts for occasional sermons. The sermon as part of the liturgy and worship. The polarity of Law and Gospel in all preaching. Sermon theory and delivery. Prerequisite: TPRC 530 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.	3
TPRC 542: Lutheran Worship and Cultural Context The course will examine and assess the historical and theological understanding of worship within the Lutheran context, to observe the forms and practice of Lutheran worship within present, Lutheran ethnic/multi-cultural communities. And, guided by proper theological, historical, and contextual models, the class will promote sacramental worship in various, new ethnic/multi-cultural missional settings.	3
THL 541: Mission Planning Institute & Developing Mission Planters This course will provide the student with the resources and techniques for designing, writing and implementing a mission plan to be used for planting a new ministry. Students will have the opportunity to develop a mission statement, core values, vision, and strategies for a mission plant. Missiology, cross-cultural ministry, evangelistic preaching, and entrepreneurial leadership will also be explored. A detailed written mission plan for a specific ministry site will be required for completion of this course.	3
TSYS 511: Systematics I The course examines the nature and function of biblical theology and its application to the questions posed in the post-modern age. Topics include the doctrine of God, His Trinitarian nature and His attributes, the doctrine of Creation and providence, and His creatures including angels and humans.	3
TSYS 512: Systematics II The course examines the person and work of Jesus Christ with application to the questions posed in the post-modern age. Topics include the saving grace of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus Christ, the atonement, the offices of Christ and the application of salvation, the justification, conversion, and saving faith of sinful humanity	3
TSYS 513: Systematics III The course examines the person and work of the Holy Spirit with application to the questions posed in the post-modern age. Topics include sanctification, good works, the means of grace, baptism, the Lord's Supper, holy absolution, Law and Gospel, the Christian Church, the office of the public ministry, and eschatology.	3

MA Theology (Theology & Culture)
THL 501 Introduction to Research Foundational course in masters-level theological research. Examines the essential methods and resources for the academic study of theology, with strong attention to the use of Logos Bible Software. Also covers procedures for identifying, proposing, researching, organizing, and completing the master’s thesis or project. Students will be guided in beginning their research projects.	2
THL 502: Ministry in Cultural Context This course utilizes a sociological/anthropological framework to examine religious systems. The students will investigate the impact of social and cultural processes on the expression of faith with the goal of increasing the students' effectiveness in ministering to people from a variety of cultures.	3
THL 540 Entrepreneurial Mission Planting Explores business and entrepreneurial methods as they apply to church planters and new mission starts. Practical emphasis upon understanding entrepreneurial leadership, team ministry, learning from success, dealing with risk, reaching new people, developing marketing materials, financial planning and cash flow, and balancing a busy life will be presented by guest lecturers experienced in entrepreneurial church leadership.	3
THL 504: Survey of Historical Theology An introduction to historical theology and a survey of the development of the theological formulations of the Church. Special emphasis will be placed on "challenges to orthodoxy" laid upon the Church at various times, and the role such events played in the Church's confessional responses. These will be examined to enhance understanding of the Church's theological and doctrinal tasks today.	3
THL 505: Polity, Leadership and Team Ministry A detailed examination of the polity of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its relationship to leadership development and team ministry in the congregational setting. Using lecture and case studies, this course will biblically examine the history of LCMS polity as well as the various models that are being utilized today in various parish situations.	3
THL 510: Lutheran Confessions A study of the Augsburg Confession, The Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Luther's Large and Small Catechisms, The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord in terms of their historical setting and their theological content. Explores the relationship of the Confessions to the Scripture, and the confessional application of their teaching in the 21st century context.	3
THL 521: World Religions A survey of the world's major, non-Christian religions including origin and development, sacred writings, major motifs, belief patterns, ritual and worship, social patterns and ethics. Special attention will be given to the similarities and differences between these and the Christian faith, especially in the context of the multi-religious communities of 21st century America.	3
THL 529 Lutheran Hermeneutics and the Theology of Scripture An intensive study of the Lutheran understanding of the nature of Scripture, followed by an examination of its major themes with special emphasis on interpretive principles (e.g., Law and Gospel) for use in congregational ministry.	3
THL 530: Reformation Era I An introduction to the social, political, and intellectual contexts of the various sixteenth century Reformations of Europe as well as their events, ideas, and implications. Attention will be given to the reform movement in Germany and the theological thought of Martin Luther.	3
THL 565 Seminar in Christianity, Ethics, and Contemporary Culture An exploration of morality and ethics in the light of Scriptural teaching concerning both creation and redemption. Seminar participants will be oriented to the main approaches, both traditional and contemporary, of non-biblical philosophical ethics and will study how Christian faith interacts with these approaches. The significance for ethics of the Lutheran Confessional distinction between God's left and right hand rule will be explored in depth. Seminar participants will pursue a research project in ethics tailored to the overall emphasis the student is pursuing in the M.A. program.	3
TSYS 511-513: Systematics Elective Note: One TSYS class from the courses required for certification is also applied to requirements for the MA Theology	3

Practical

All course work in the CMC is embedded in real life ministry and mission experience. We call this embedded learning experience the “CMC Missional Vicarage.” It is four years of in-field mission and ministry experience, is a part of the certification requirement, and runs concurrently with your coursework. It consists of planning activities, carrying out those activities, and then journaling your progress. In the first half of the Missional Vicarage, vicars carry out basic mission and ministry activities at a Lutheran church. In the second half, vicars plan and finally launch a new culture-crossing ministry in the community. All of this is closely coordinated with district facilitators and carried out under the guidance of a local congregation, a Mentor Pastor, and a CUI Faculty Supervisor.