2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Course Descriptions}
Practical Theology
PT 332 Seminar in Leadership
Purpose:
• To examine biblical principles of leadership
• To evaluate one’s leadership gifts, style, and strength
• To discuss practical leadership models and
methods within the local church
Topics covered include characteristics of godly leaders, how to
develop a ministry model, the importance of planning, practical
pointers on leading a session and a congregation, a resume primer,
and factors in evaluating a pastoral call. The course includes a
special lecture by Dr. Diane Langberg on how to avoid experiencing
a moral shipwreck in your ministry.
Winter term, two hours. Mr. Witmer.
PT 343 Mission of the Church
Purpose:
• To instill a passion and commitment for the
mission of Christ’s church in the world
• To enable the articulation of how the mission of
Christ is taught throughout the Scriptures
• To equip with models for leading the
church in its missions program
• To equip with models for leading the
church in its educational program
• To enable the leadership in a church’s evangelistic outreach
Topics covered include a biblical theory of mission, issues in world
evangelization, building a missions program for the local church,
contextualization, education and the church, curriculum design, and
building evangelistic outreach for the local church.
Spring semester, two hours. Mr. Leonard.
PT 353 Sermon Delivery
Purpose:
• To increase awareness of delivery and
language skills in preaching
• To provide an opportunity to test these skills
• To create critical reflection upon and means of continuing
development of these skills in the student’s preaching
Topics covered include elements of sermon delivery, use of image
and metaphor, and language and speech-related skills. Two sermons
will be preached by each student and evaluated by the professors.
Prerequisites, PT 123 and, ordinarily, PT 221. Limited to
candidates for the M.Div. degree in Pastoral Ministry track.
Spring semester, two hours. Staff.
PT 372 Worship
Purpose:
• To deepen the students’ biblical and theological
understanding of public worship
• To familiarize students with historic
patterns of Christian worship
• To help students develop a vision for a worshiping congregation
• To encourage students to be thoughtful,
joyful worshipers of the triune God
• To provide students with resources as
they plan and lead public worship
Topics covered include biblical-theological foundations of worship,
the directive principle of worship as outlined in the Westminster
Standards, the role of the means of grace in worship, contextualization
and worship, music and worship, and contemporary issues with
regard to worship.
Winter term, one hour. Mr. Sibley.
PT 421/PT 421P Theological Bibliography and
Research Methodology
Purpose:
• To provide instruction on how to formulate
a strategy for research
• To identify resources that will aid in the
composition of a research project
• To explain the principles for solid research methods
• To create a workable outline and prepare
the foundation of a research project
• To develop a sense of competency in the movement
from planned research to a completed project
2009–2010
125