Pastoral Studies

In a world where God's people increasingly are longing:

• to experience the warmth of true biblical community;
• to worship Father, Son and Spirit in a way that proclaims the uniqueness of Christ, and brings deep healing individually and corporately;
• to taste the power of Christ to radically transform our lives and our societies;
• to walk and live in the power of the Spirit;
• to proclaim the truth of our faith with the boldness and effectiveness of the first apostles;
• to rediscover how to mentor and shepherd converts in a way that leads them into their unique expression of Christlikeness;

We take seriously our mandate to prepare men and women for a lifetime of ministry.

Based on the firm foundation of biblical studies, church history and theology, BTC Southern Africa offers the following Pastoral Studies courses to equip learners for ministry.

BPS 115 - Gospel Communication (Homiletics)
This is an introduction to preaching the Bible. The course specialises in Expository Preaching providing both the theory and the practical exercises in the sculpting of a sermon.

BPS 125 - Church Life
This first course in Pastoral Studies seeks to introduce the church in the context of the demands of local church ministry. This study is based on a brief introduction to a Biblical understanding of the church, with an emphasis on the church’s identity as a dynamic organism. Attention is then give to the research of Natural Church Development in terms of the quality characteristics of healthy churches, and the biotic principles of church life. The course concludes with a brief consideration of the church and the future.

BPS 215 - Spiritual Development
The course seeks to draw from the rich tradition of the Christian church through the ages, as well as more recent psychological insights, whilst maintaining a fundamental commitment to evangelical, Biblical values. The student should leave the course with a fuller understanding of what is necessary for the rich nurturing of his or her own spiritual life and some of the pitfalls which need to be avoided on the way, particularly for those in leadership.

BPS 315 - Christian Worship
This course is an attempt to uncover the Biblical theology of worship. While it may be a contentious issue -- depending on one's tradition or preferences -- Scripture does provide powerful guidelines which need attention and application. God's revelation in Scripture is the only foundation, source and instruction adequate for leading His people in worship; it tells us how He wants to be worshipped and that is our essential guide.

BPS 325 - Spiritual Direction
This course utilises insights from Narrative Counselling and will seek to equip the students to listen to their own stories and the stories of others in ways that allow for fresh new perspectives on the past and new ways of interpreting the present, that give hope and direction. Learning to hear God's voice and learning to discern God's unique vision and purpose for one's own life and the lives of others are an important part of this course. The place of repentance, forgiveness, and facing one's own despair also play an essential part in equipping one to be an able shepherd of others. Attention will be given to individual topics such as Suicide, Depression, and Post Traumatic Stress.

BPS 415 - Pastoral Care
This course is designed to develop a Biblical understanding of the caring function of the congregation and how this function is expressed practically through the lives of the pastor and members. An emphasis on total congregational care is given, where every member is considered to be a caregiver and essential to the spiritual and psychological health of the church.

BPS 425 - Church Ministry
This course focuses in detail on aspects of ministry relating to the day-to-day running of a church. The course will feature areas such as finances, church discipline, leadership and administration.