This one-year graduate program is designed for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-ministry major and are planning to pastor a church. A candidate for graduation for the Bachelor of Religious Education must complete at least 34 hours in this program with a 2.00 grade point average.
Bachelor of Religious Education
While attending the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, students learn from pulpit preaching, invitations, baptismal services, funerals, weddings, business meetings, and much more. Each student studies the varied, successful ministries of the First Baptist Church and has the opportunity to be involved in these ministries, which include the following:
- Church planting
- Truck stop ministry
- Sunday schools
- Choirs
- Discipleship
- Orchestra
- Reformers Unanimous
- Deaf ministry
- Bus ministry
- Blind ministry
- Soul-winning visitation
- Jail ministry
- Spanish work
- Rest home ministry
- Youth work
- Developmentally challenged ministry
We believe that you don’t have to wait until you graduate to be in the ministry; you can be in the ministry while you are training for the ministry. What is taught in the classroom Monday through Friday is made practical on the weekends in the Chicagoland area.
Fall Semester
Preachers' Writing Seminar
The mechanics of writing with a review of punctuation and sentence structure are taught. Assignments include the writing of a brochure, letters, a church bulletin, a Sunday school lesson, and a narrative.
Personal Evangelism
This course provides an emphasis on the man, methods, message, and means of evangelism, and it includes a careful study of the Spirit-filled life of the soul winner as well as the work.
Discipleship
This course emphasizes the Biblical and practical principles of training believers to become spiritually mature.
Music in the Soul-Winning Church
A basic course on church music for the preacher, with the pastor and his congregation in mind. Instruction is given regarding music personnel, congregational singing, the pastor and the music program, and the purpose of music.
Church Education
This course teaches church work including Sunday school, promotion, nursery work, bus ministry, deaf work, Spanish work, youth work, rescue mission work, and work with the educable slow. The duties of pastor as administrator are emphasized, including church financing, building design, church planting, and pastoral duties.
Bible electives
Thesis
Spring Semester
Church Education
This course teaches church work including Sunday school, promotion, nursery work, bus ministry, deaf work, Spanish work, youth work, rescue mission work, and work with the educable slow. The duties of pastor as administrator are emphasized, including church financing, building design, church planting, and pastoral duties.
Basic Homiletics
This study of the preparation and delivery of sermons is designed to instruct in selecting, outlining, and gathering materials, as well as in delivering the message.
21st-Century Missions
Personal Finance
This course, presented with a Biblical view of money and finances, trains students to handle financial matters, including the basics of setting up a family budget, dealing with credit, types of insurance coverage, and bank accounts.
Bible electives
Baptist Principles and Preachers
A course covering the foundational beliefs of Baptists and the leaders of fundamental, independent Baptists in America.
For more information, please consult the college catalog.
You may also contact the Academic Office at 219.365.4031, ext. 1210.
