SoCal School of Ministry Course Descriptions

This course provides an overview of the organizational structure, history, and theology of the U.S. Assemblies of God with a more in-depth consideration of the structure, policies, and practices of the Southern California District Council. Also included is consideration of the philosophy and practice of Assembly of God missions.

This course is basic training in learning to understand and use the Bible in Christian ministry. The course includes the study of the principles for interpreting the Bible and hands-on practice in applying them.

This course will examine the person, work, and ministry of the Holy Spirit from an Assemblies of God perspective. Questions to be considered include: Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people? What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and how does one know when he/she has received it? How does one live a Spirit-filled life in the 21st Century?

This course consists of a study of the life and teachings of Christ as presented in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Attention will be given to the historical, secular context in which He lived in order to assist in understanding the events of His life and teachings.

This course involves a practical, hands-on consideration of some of the basic components of a minister's life. Included is a look at the call to and gifting for ministry, financial and legal aspects of being a minister, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, and the minister's devotional life. Included also is a discussion of ministerial accountability.

This course examines the relationships that form the substance of a minister's life and how to appropriately develop and maintain them. Included is his/her relationship with God, family, parishioners, and the community at larger. The focus of the course will be how the minister should conduct him or herself in such a way that will bring honor and glory to God.

To produce a spiritually, flourishing church requires a biblical, comprehensive, strategic plan empowered by the Spirit.  This course looks at the strategic plan found in the Book of Acts chapter 2 and focuses on developing spirit-empowered disciples who will be involved with the five essential functions of a church as found there: connect, grow, serve, go and worship.

The Assemblies of God has emphasized the importance of its doctrine as essential for a basis of unity since its adoption in 1916 as a response to theological issues that arose in the newly formed fellowship. This course will study the "Statement of Fundamental Truths" of the Assemblies of God, their biblical basis, and their application to the lives of believers.

This course is an introduction to the books included in the canon of the New Testament and their relationship to each other in the historical setting in which they were created. Attention will also be given to the history of the intertestamental period that formed the New Testament world.

This course is an introduction to the books included in the canon of the Old Testament and their relationship to each other. Attention will be given to the history of the Jewish nation from Abraham until the end of the prophetic period.

This course is a study of the New Testament book of Acts from a Pentecostal perspective. The growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will be analyzed Emphasis will be placed on the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the early church as presented in Acts with application to its place in the life of the believer today.

This course examines in detail the New Testament books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. It includes consideration of the setting in which the books were written as well as the purpose for which they were written. Attention will be given to the application of the message of these books in the life of believers today.

The foundation of the Assemblies of God was built on a very strong missions philosophy that is still influencing the denomination today. This course is an introduction to the history, theology, philosophy, and practice of missions in the Assemblies of God. Attention will be given to the incredible growth of the Assemblies of God worldwide and the reasons for it.

This course examines in detail the New Testament book of Romans. The focus will be on the major themes the Apostle Paul develops as he presents the Gospel to the believers in Rome.

God's plan is for the local church to be the key for reaching its community and the world. This course will examine the Biblical basis for evangelism, beginning with the Great Commission, and the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism. Consideration will also be given to Jesus' and the Apostles' evangelistic methods along with the importance and process of discipling new believers. The importance of the pastor's role in evangelism will be examined as well.

This course examines how to manage and resolve conflict in the local church in a Biblical manner. Attention will be given to the tools needed to see conflict resolved successful and how ones leadership style will affect the process.

This course seeks to further the development of Christian leaders by understanding Biblical models of leadership, knowing the patterns of spiritual leadership development, applying situational leadership skills, and defining his/her role in the missions of the church.

This course consists of a Biblical study of end-time events from a Pentecostal perspective beginning with death and the intermediate state. Various views of the end time events are compared and contrasted.

This course is a basic study of the principles of preaching in a Pentecostal context. It examines various techniques of sermon preparation and delivery including the different types of sermons, the sources of materials, the construction of sermon components, and conducting the audience response. Attention will be given to the importance of interpreting the Bible appropriately in sermon preparation.

The purpose of this course is to provide an opportunity for both beginning and seasoned preachers to deliver a message (just a part) and receive the comments of the instructor as well as the other students.

Paul's epistles to the believers in Corinth dealt with difficulties that continue to be an issue for the Church today. This course will examine the Corinthian correspondence to discover what it meant to first century believers for the purpose of being able to apply its principles in twenty-first century situations.

It is important to realize that today a local church must also function as a business. This course is an overview of how business principles and procedures should be implemented in the local church in order for it to be able to fulfill successfully its mission. Financial and legal issues will be considered as well.

More information soon.

The wisdom literature constitutes a major part of the Old Testament. This course is a study of the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs to provide a foundation for their use in the life of the believer today. Additionally, their application in the church will be considered.

This course consists of an introduction to biblical/pastoral counseling, with a primary focus on the role of the pastor in providing counseling ministry within the context of the church community. It will explore the role and responsibilities of being a pastoral counselor that integrates theological understandings and psychological insights for counseling. The course will help church leaders develop a pastoral counseling strategy for helping people deal with an array of life's issues and needs, while considering helpful ways to stay spiritually/emotionally healthy and to avoid certain hazards in pastoral counseling.

This course is a theological and practical study of the pastoral ministry in the local church from a Pentecostal perspective. Included is consideration of the importance of setting priorities in the pastor's personal and family life and how to function as pastor in order for the church to be healthy and reach its community. The role of accountability at all levels will be emphasized as well.

How does a preacher develop a sermon that will connect with his/her audience resulting in changed behavior while at the same time maintaining fidelity to the Bible as the Word of God? This course will consider the issue of how to create relevant and effective sermons in the United States that is rapidly growing post-Christian.

This course is an examination of the Biblical literature on prayer and worship from a Pentecostal perspective with the goal of assisting the student in developing his/her relationship with God. Individual and corporate prayer and worship will be considered with application to the life of the Church in today's world.