FMCUSA J-Term 2018

January 8-12, 2018

Class descriptions and credits

  • History & Polity - Rev. Dave Nicholson (Required course for CMC and counts as 2 credits) This class is meant to give you an overview of the History, Beliefs, Structure, and vision of The Free Methodist Church.  Keep this in mind as you read.  My intent is to acquaint you with your church in a broad stroke. Lectures and our class discussion will then focus on a major highlights.  From childhood, what we learn shapes our beliefs.  Our beliefs then shape our idealism and passion which shape the future.  Thus, history fuels the future.  It is so important then to understand our history, as it shapes our passion and vision for the future. Objectives include being able to communicate the history of the Free Methodist Church; being able to communicate the distinctive doctrines of Free Methodism; having a solid grasp on how the Free Methodist Church is structured and how it functions; understanding the Free Methodist Constitution and the statements regarding the passion and vision for the future.
  • Wesleyan Theology — Rev. Howard Olver (Required course for Elder ordination and counts as 3 credits) An introductory course to the historical development and the theological significance of John Wesley’s contribution to evangelical Christianity. The student will wrestle with the five points of classical Calvinism and their impact on shaping the Wesleyan understanding of sanctification. The Wesleyan quadrilateral as a source of the development of Wesley’s theology will be studied. With Wesley’s emphasis on personal experience, the class is not exclusively cognitive, but will also include experience-oriented times, including singing of the hymns of the Wesley brothers, testimonials, prayer and conclude with the John Wesley Covenant Service and communion.
  • Homiletics — Dr. Linda Adams (Counts as 3 pastoral theology credits) This course is designed to help you develop a theology of preaching and increase your skills in creating and delivering sermons. It combines theory and practice, including in-class preaching and critique. We will explore the person of the preacher, the pastoral nature of preaching, and the role of the congregation and context in the art of communicating.
  • Leadership – Dr. David Brewer and Rev. B. Elliott Renfroe  (Counts as 2 pastoral theology credits) Leadership is a buzzword in the business world and in the church. But what is it? How do we recognize it, develop it in ourselves, and build a culture that encourages it? What does Jesus think about what we usually call leadership? And what about following? This course will explore the relationship between leading and following, examine good and bad examples of leadership, and discuss both the soul and skills of leadership. The course will be extremely helpful for both clergy and lay leaders.
  • Bible: Old Testament Survey – Rev. Kristen Marble (Counts as 3 credits for Bible) The course will familiarize the student with the chronology, theology and main themes of the Old Testament. The student will understand God’s progressive revelation and unified purpose as set forth in the Old Testament and as fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus. Guidelines for the interpretation of various forms of Biblical literature will be given. Finally the student will be introduced to numerous resources available for an in depth study of the books of the Old Testament.
  • Church History - Rev. Gregg Herke (Counts as 3 credits for Systematic Theology) The course gives a tour of the history of Christianity since the New Testament period. Discern and understand the workings of God through time, along with the inspiration that can come from studying how God has worked in the lives of the great saints of the ages. A study of church history in context of society, and secular history. Understanding the historical background of the differing traditions within Christianity will help the student develop a healthy grasp of scriptures and systematic theology.

Registration Fees

Tuition is $50 (discounted price) per credit hour if registered by November 26, 2017. After November 26, tuition will be $65 (full price) per credit hour. Full
tuition must be paid in advance.  REGISTRATION DEADLINE: December 10, 2017

Books

Books must be purchased prior to class. Check your course syllabus for a text list.

Pre-class work

Go to http://fmcusa.org/leadership/j-term-syllabi-2018/ to download your class syllabus and begin assignments. Beginning your reading assignments and homework prior to J-Term will improve the intensive study experience.

Schedule

Classes will run from Monday evening through Friday afternoon. Registration will be 4:00-5:00 pm (EST) on Monday with dinner at 5:00 pm and initial class from 6-8 pm.   Tuesday - Friday hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or as the class schedule dictates.

Housing/Meals

A light lunch and two snacks are included in the registration fee. Students are responsible for making their own arrangements for housing and other meals.  We recommend the Wingate Hotel which is 2 miles from the World Ministries Center. Rooms at the Wingate have a small refrigerator and microwave. Breakfast is provided by the hotel. The Wingate Hotel phone number is: 317-243-8310. When making reservations, be sure to mention the discount arrangements provided for Free Methodist Church J-Term students.

Registration

Registration is now closed.

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