The Believers Bible Institute Pastoral Certificate
Certificate Requirements: The MCP Program requires a total of 30 credits to complete the program. A minimum grade of B is required for all MCP courses.
The following are required courses to be taken as part of the Ministers Certificate Program (total 18 credits)
MCP 101: Introduction to Biblical History
3 credits
This course will introduce the student to the key points of biblical history from a scriptural viewpoint. The impact of the Roman empire and other world powers upon biblical history will be explored and their influence on the Church today. The foundation and development of the early Church will be explored as revealed in key passages in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Students will learn how Old Testament prophecies foretold of the life, mission, and ministry of Jesus Christ. The influence of how Jesus fulfilled and foretold prophesy as a central theme throughout scripture will be discussed. This course will explore the development of Christianity using scriptural references and what it signals for an end-times ministry.
MCP 102: Spiritual Foundation for Ministry
3 credits
In this course students will examine the importance of the Holy Spirit’s influence on doing the work of the ministry in the local church. Classroom interaction with students will be encouraged on the keys to the meaning and purpose of a Christ centered ministry. Students will be challenged to examine themselves (spiritually) to see if they are in the Faith and counting the cost to do Christian ministry. Key biblical terms like humility, favor, faith, obedience, truth, wisdom, knowledge and sacrifice will be examined to determine how essential they are to developing an ability to teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Finally, through interactive discussions, students will learn more of the Holy Spirit’s influence in forming Christ-like behavior as revealed in the teaching ministry of the Apostle Paul and others whose lives were transformed by Jesus.
MCP 103: Communication Skills for Ministry
3 credits
This course will provide practical keys to basic public speaking, reading, and written communication skills necessary for a ministry environment. Students will discover the importance of verbal communication (voice, diction, and pronunciation). Written communication (specialized publications) and specialized communication strategies for media (YouTube and virtual teaching platforms) and pulpit ministry will be explored. Students will be challenged to learn the keys to effective sermon preparation, ministering the Gospel effectively, and avoiding ministering outside of your ability.
MCP 104: Culture in the Church
3 credits
This course will introduce students to a variety of topics that affect ministry in the twenty-first-century church. Students will search the scriptures to find examples of how culture had an impact on the development of the early church. Through active discussion, course participants will identify prevailing cultural influences in the early church and their impact or lack of influence upon the church today. Students will search the scriptures to determine how the Word of God examines cultural issues like, but not limited to gender, race, sexual immorality, political party divisiveness, sexual abuse, racism, and right-wing or conservative evangelism. Students will learn the impact of culture on the Church and discern its major positive and negative impact on the practice of ministry today.
MCP 105: Discipleship
3 credits
This course will encourage students to examine the meaning of discipleship from a biblical perspective. Students will discover scriptural examples of how discipleship is demonstrated in their daily lives. Encouragement will be shared, explored, and encouraged on how to develop and mature as modern-day disciples of Christ. This course will examine spiritual disciplines like biblical prayer, fasting, and bible study techniques to equip students for a lifestyle of Christian discipleship. Practical ways to function as a member of a local church will be discussed. In addition, students will learn how discipleship is related to biblical stewardship in ones giving and through the demonstration of the spiritual gifts that one possesses.
MCP 106: Evangelism
3 credits
In this course, the student will discover the meaning of the term evangelism. Interactive examination of the principles of biblical evangelism will be explored. Students will study the pattern for evangelism that Jesus outlined in The Great Commission (Matthew 28; Mark 16), by the Apostles Paul and Peter and other Christian disciples as recorded in the scriptures. The significance of Luke 4:18-19 for evangelism will be explored. Practical tips for witnessing in various settings will be introduced and practiced. Students will gain an understanding of the biblical mandate to witness to others to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and win the lost. This course will delve into the importance of the Church on a local, regional, national, and worldwide level to see how evangelism and the ministry of reconciliation are related to the kingdom of God being fulfilled on earth.