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THY280 Personal Witnessing … 2 credits
This practical course equips students to share the Gospel in the context of a growing friendship with others. It includes skill development in building relationships, recognizing opportunities, dealing with fears, listening, communicating the basic Christian message briefly or in-depth, and applying the message to the needs of the hearer.
THY281 Principles for Christian Outreach … 4 credits
This course is an overview of outreach principles and strategies. Specific attention will be given to those factors in the life and activity of the church which hinder or enhance its growth. Included in the overview will be an analysis of the life and activity of a Christian congregation, steps toward mobilizing the laity, the development of a church growth consciousness, basic planning procedures for church growth, church planting theory and strategies, and basic cross-cultural insights.
THY330 Our Living Faith … 4 credits
A study of the content and effective application of the Christian understanding of creation, redemption, sanctification; with an exploration of the biblical basis, the conceptual framework and the contemporary significance of the historic doctrines of the church. (Prerequisites: RLG203, Old Testament Narrative; RLG206, New Testament; or permission of the instructor)
THY331 Seminar in Theology … 4 credits
A study of the nature, tasks and methods of Christian theology on the basis of primary sources from the Old and New Testaments, the Lutheran Confessions and representative writings from the classical Christian tradition. Students' readings and subsequent discussions will explore the variety of questions addressed in selected periods of Christian history, paying special attention to how the gospel is implicitly or explicitly an issue in these theological debates. (Prerequisites: RLG101, RLG201, THY330, THY340)
THY341 Lutheran Confessional Writings … 3 credits
A survey and analysis of the gospel-centered doctrinal content of the Book of Concord in its 16th century historical and theological context. The eleven confessional documents are studied and interpreted as the church's normative exposition of Holy Scripture, to which exposition the evangelical Lutheran church is committed in terms of both theological method and doctrinal substance, (Prerequisite; RLG241, Church History)
THY366 Outreach Practicum--Parish … 2 credits
Through assigned readings, field experience, personal reflection, and classroom discussion, students will grow in the knowledge, attitude, and skills associated with an outreach professional in a local congregation. They will begin to understand the unique challenges and joys of congregational outreach ministry. Students will observe congregational ministry in general and participate in outreach leadership and ministry.
THY367 Outreach Practicum--Cross-cultural … 2 credits
Through assigned readings, field experience, personal reflection, and classroom discussion, students will grow in their understanding of the unique challenges and joys of ministry in a cross-cultural setting. They will begin to understand the unique challenges and joys of cross-cultural ministry. Students will observe cross-cultural ministry in general and participate in outreach leadership and ministry.
THY371 Mission of God … 4 credits
This course traces the mission of God through the Old and New Testaments. It explores God's intent for his mission people in the past, present and future and discovers that intent in biblical narratives and texts and in Lutheran theology and confessions.
THY372 Life and Work on the Mission Field … 2 credits
This course surveys the challenges, problems and joys peculiar to missionary life and work in a different culture. Topics include missionary preparation; the call into missionary work and the assignment; relating to a mission board; living in and appreciating another culture; relating to national Christians; maintaining one's spiritual, physical and emotional health; marriage/family concerns; children and education; furlough; deputation; continuing education; relating to the church at home; culture shock; and language study. Contacts with professionals from the field will supplement readings, films, lectures, and discussions.
THY373 Campus Ministry … 1 credit
This course studies campus ministry--from both domestic and international student perspectives. It begins with understanding the Biblical/theological basis for campus ministry and moves into the practical application of that Biblical understanding. Topics covered include: very brief historical overview of LCMS campus ministry; importance of campus mission; importance of a mission plan; current environments and models; faculty, staff, and community issues; relationship to youth ministry; the church professional as campus mission worker; role of LCMS districts and congregations; funding, compensation, and split-time issues; worker training and professional association opportunities; resources for workers; solo vs. on staff position; ecumenical parameters; and how to be considered for a call into campus mission.
THY381 Congregational Outreach … 4 credits
A critical theological and practical evaluation of evangelism methodologies and strategies. These are evaluated on the basis of Scripture, Lutheran theology, and potential effectiveness. A major component of this task is to construct appropriate apologetic responses for people living in contemporary contexts different than the student's own. By means of readings, field experiences and class discussions, students will design, select and redesign a variety of programs suitable for use in specific cultural contexts.
THY382 Assimilation Ministries … 3 credits
This course has a dual focus: (a) principles and strategies of assimilating new members and inactive members into a local church and (b) a practical and theological understanding of ministry to people who have withdrawn from the worship and work of the church. Through reading, field experience and reflective discussion, students develop a theology and methodology for congregational ministry in both of these vital areas.
THY409 Studies in Biblical Theology … 2 credits
An exploration of sections, books, or major topics of the Old and New Testaments, as determined by the instructor and announced by the division. (Prerequisites: RLG101, RLG201)
THY422 Christian Ministry and Practice … 3 credits
The concepts of the call, vocation, ministry and team ministry will be studied in relation to the worship, witness, teaching, service and fellowship of the church. Students will develop an awareness of the oneness of the church as the body of Christ gathered around Word and Sacrament. The nature of ministry as servant hood is explored in the context of the life of local churches. Students spend time off campus in local congregations observing and participating in the life of the church. (Prerequisites: senior standing or permission of the instructor)
THY439 Studies in Christian History and Thought … 2 credits
An exploration of key periods, important individuals, or significant theological issues or movements in the history of Christianity from the end of the New Testament period to the present. Topics are determined by the instructor and announced by the department. (Prerequisites: RLG101, RLG201, THY340)
THY460 Worship for Lutherans … 2 credits
Exploring early church experience and Reformation teaching, the student uncovers the meaning of worship. Critical evaluation of contemporary practice and recent developments in worship make the student better able to provide leadership in congregational worship life.
THY461 Worship and Witness … 2 credits
Building on the Lutheran understanding of worship, students will survey and evaluate worship forms and practices in use in varied cultural settings. They will be guided as they wrestle with contemporary cultural contexts and assist in the design of worship services that communicate Law and Gospel effectively to both the churched and unchurched while remaining faithful to a Lutheran liturgical heritage.
THY473 Cross-Cultural Outreach … 4 credits
Students are introduced to the world of cross-cultural mission work in foreign fields and in the United States. The course provides theories and strategies for effectively proclaiming the Gospel to peoples of different cultures. The course will address cross-cultural insights in foreign, ethnic and social-economic contexts and includes field trips to government-funded and private organizations working in cross-cultural contexts, language learning insights and an African feast.
THY480 Rural, Suburban and Urban Outreach … 3 credits
This course focuses on the distinctive outreach ministries found within the rural, suburban, and urban contexts. A theological perspective identifying the needs of the city as well as a perceived neglect of the rural setting will be addressed. A focus on congregationally-based outreach ministries will propel the student into a theological discussion related to human care and evangelistic ministries. A demographic study of both congregation and community will be incorporated into the course.
THY481 The Christian Response to the Religions of the World … 2 credits
In this course, the student will learn to listen sympathetically, analyze critically and respond appropriately to selected religions and their world views from a Lutheran theological perspective. (Prerequisite: RLG350)
THY488 Independent Study … 1-4 credits
Independent Study offers students an opportunity to do research and complete a major project in an area of theology of their own choosing.
THY495 All Within the Context of the Christian Gospel … 2 credits
Under the guidance of the course mentor, students review their Concordia University, St. Paul experience and reflect on its theological dimensions. They discuss the implications of the Christian faith for other areas of academic inquiry. Students assess the achievement of the mission statement of the university in their own academic experience. [As capstone experience for majors in theology or outreach, it is understood that students will take this course after or at least concurrent with their last class(es) in their major.]
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