20 Hour List

REQUIRED COURSES
SEMINARY STUDY FOR LAYMEN
 

Laymen who are candidates for long-term service must complete 20 semester hours of studies in subjects listed below. Course selection shall be made with guidance and approval of the candidate consultant. A bachelor’s degree plus appropriate seminary and professional training is required for most assignments.

Appropriate seminary training is required to better prepare the person for cross-cultural missionary service. Areas addressed might include one's theological foundation, missiological philosophy, Southern Baptist identity, evangelism preparation, and any other field-generated expectations for a specific assignment. The majority of hours must be taken from the theological core for the Master of Divinity degree.

CORE COURSES (16 hours)

BIBLICAL STUDIES: Introduction, NT Studies, OT Studies, Hermeneutics, Biblical Backgrounds, etc.
THEOLOGY: Systematic, Biblical
HISTORY: Church History
BAPTIST DISTINCTIVES: Baptist History, Baptist Polity
MISSIONS: Introduction, Missiology, Missionary Anthropology, Assignment- specific courses, etc.
EVANGELISM: Cross-cultural, Personal, CWT, Muslim, etc.
DISCIPLESHIP: MasterLife, Spiritual Foundations, Experiencing God, etc.
CHURCH PLANTING: Cross-cultural Church Planting, Leadership Development, Christian Education
RELIGIONS: Introduction to World Religions
PREACHING: Basic Preaching, Storying
ETHICS: Christian Ethics


ELECTIVE COURSES (4 hours)

RELATIONAL SKILLS: Interpersonal Relationships, Conflict Management, Stress Management, Introduction to Counseling, Pastoral Care