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Bachelor of Theology (BTh)

The Bachelor of Theology Degree program is designed for anyone who wants to provide service to God and service to people in God's name. It is a self-paced, equivalent 4-year (120-credits) degree course which deals with the Christian ministry and leads people with spiritual discipline and knowledge. The program is centered on [1] what Jesus taught by word and demonstration to raise up trained, motivated, lay leadership and [2] what was demonstrated and taught during the times of the Acts and Epistles as His plan was instituted in the early Church.

This program is a 120 semester undergraduate credits, offered entirely online and in a self-paced mode. Applications are received on a rolling basis, while prior learning may also apply as credits. Further program details are offered below.

CAREER OPTIONS

Most students may envision a lead pastor preaching every Sunday in front of the congregation in a church. While working in a church is one facet of ministry, it’s certainly not the only one. The course opens up your eyes to look at how ministry can take place wherever you are and here are some jobs you can pursue with a ministry degree: Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor, Pastor of Visitation, Worship Director, Christian Teacher, Camp Coordinator, Spiritual Coach, Devotional Writer, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Bereavement Coordinator, Chaplain, Missionary, Counselor or Marketplace minister.

Program Description

The curriculum emphasizes demonstration, training laymen to be participators rather than spectators. Intellectual knowledge of God is not enough: But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Participants are therefore taken beyond teaching to training where participation is required to challenge students with spiritual reproduction. True knowledge is gained only by experience. Study results in gaining information, but not experience. Teaching is factual while training is experiential. Jesus is a living person, not merely a fact. Relationship to Him is based on experience, not just knowledge, facts, and information. The aim of the training is not accumulated knowledge, but the action which converts the possibilities of ministry into reality. It is not just articulation [talking about the power of God], but demonstration [putting it into action]: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God”(I Corinthians 2:4-5).

We stress training rather than teaching. Although teaching is part of training, teaching leaves the learner the option to accept what is taught or reject it. We desire that students “...mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou has been instructed”(Luke 1:4). The curriculum takes students beyond teaching to training where participation is required. The participation to which students are challenged is that of spiritual reproduction. Christ's first appeal to His disciples was centered on reproduction: “And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

His final command was to reproduce spiritually: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Church is a spiritual body under commission. Since 99% of the Church is composed of laymen, this force must be motivated to become reproductive in order to harvest the spiritual fields of the nations of the world.

Through the application of Scriptural principles, this training results in each believer having the potential to raise up other motivated Christians, creating a new network of evangelism throughout the world. Even if they never teach a Sunday school class, preach a sermon, or minister in a group situation, each believer can become part of the expansion of this evangelistic network.

This is not a plan developed by an individual or an organization, but the plan of God revealed in the Scriptures. It is based on the principle given by the Apostle Paul to a young minister named Timothy: “And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2).

Progression: For complete intensified training to move laymen from vision to reality, use the courses in the order explained in the "Curriculum" file. Each module and course is independent of all others, however, permitting a course to be used separately if so desired. For example, a pastor can use "Foundations of Faith" in a class for new converts without ordering other courses offered by the Institute.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon the successful completion of the Bachelor’s Degree in Theology program, the students should be able to:

serve in ministry such as a local church or missions and develop abilities and virtues that will prepare them for their calling and career
provide an in-depth Biblical foundation to supply the values, knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve in church ministry
demonstrate a good understanding of theological and Biblical interpretation
provide foundational knowledge of the major disciplines of Christian ministry
look closer at how Christianity engages culture and how to use the Christian faith to address our world's toughest issues
provide an in-depth Biblical foundation to supply the values, knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve in church ministry
provide the basic pastoral competence required for effective ministry in the Christian community
develop initial skills for pastoral ministry
achieve personal growth in ministry through the integration of theory and practice

Program Pathways and Structure

A Bacheor program at the Open Christian University is a 120-semester credits undergraduate undertaking. The BTh program is structured as follows:

Foundtion of faith: 30 credits (Students can exit with Graduate certificate)
Fundamental Courses: 30 credits ( Students can exit with Associate Degree)
Specialization Courses: 30 Credits (Students can exit with Ordinary Degree)
Cpastone projects: 30 credits (Students are eligible to graduate with an Honor's Degree)

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for admission must have completed high school studies or equivalent from a from a recognised institution. The following documents must be submitted to the office of admission:

A completed application form for admission
Copy of Previous Academic Qualifications and Official Transcripts
Applicant's Updated Resume/CV
Copy of National ID/Passport
Application fee

INTRODUCTORY MODULES

Strategies for Spiritual Harvest (3 units)

The initial call of Jesus Christ to men was to be spiritually reproductive: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. His final command, that of the Great Commission, also challenged followers to spiritual reproduction. Using the analogy of the natural harvest, this course focuses on promises of spiritual harvest, things that prevent harvest, and the keys to effective harvest. It communicates the vision which the remainder of Institute training equips students to fulfil.

Foundations of Faith (3 units)

This course stresses the importance of proper spiritual foundations for life and ministry by focusing on foundations of the Christian faith identified in Hebrews 6:1: Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment.

BIBLE & BIBLE TEACHING

Creative Bible Study Methods (3 units)

This course equips students for personal study of the Word of God after the conclusion of Institute training. Students learn how to study the Bible by book, chapter, paragraph, verse, and word. Other methods taught include biographical, devotional, theological, typological, and topical. Special guidelines for studying Bible poetry and prophecy are presented and students are taught methods of charting and outlining.

Old Testament Survey (3 units)

This survey provides an overview of the Old Testament. Study outlines of each book of the Bible are provided for further development by the student.

New Testament Survey (3 units)

This survey provides an overview of the New Testament. Study outlines of each book are provided for further development by the student.

PRAYER & SPIRITUAL MINISTRY

Ministry of the Holy Spirit (3 units)

This study focuses on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, spiritual fruit, and spiritual gifts. Students are guided in the discovery of their own spiritual gifts and position of ministry in the Body of Christ.

Knowing God’s Voice (3 units)

This course explains how God speaks to men today and how to find His general and specific plans for life. A Christian model for decision making is presented, along with guidelines for overcoming wrong decisions, steps to take if you have missed the will of God, and methods for dealing with questionable practices.

Intercessory Prayer (3 units)

An intercessory prayer guide that includes guidelines on how to pray, what to pray for, when not to pray, resources for prayer, international intercession and factors that hinder prayer.

Power Principles (3 units)

The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God. Power principles taught in this course equip students for spiritual harvest and moves them from being spectators to demonstrators of the power of God.

Battle for the Body

In this course, we are making a careful evaluation of the strategies available to win the war against Satan in the battle for your body. You will learn to do battle for your physical body and to minister these truths to other wounded warriors in God's army.

Strategies for Spiritual Warfare (3 units)

This course moves participants beyond the natural world into the realm of the spirit. Tactics of the enemy are analyzed and strategies of spiritual warfare assuring victory over the principalities and powers of the spirit world are explained.

EVANGELISM AND CHURCH PLANTING

Teaching Tactics (3 units)

This course examines the methods Jesus used to teach and preach the Gospel. Students are taught how to prepare and present lessons and how to teach and preach the Gospel.

Multiplication Methodologies (3 units)

God’s plan for spiritual multiplication is presented. This study reveals how a single Christian can be responsible for the multiplication of thousands of trained and motivated believers. Church growth principles are emphasized.

Biblical Management Principles (3 units)

A review of Biblical management principles with emphasis on servant leadership, Biblical leaders, and Scriptural strategies for success.

Principles of Environmental Analysis (3 units)

Students learn environmental analysis on an individual, church, and organizational basis. They learn how to analyze the spiritual environment of a village, city, state or nation prior to penetrating it with the Gospel message.

Management by Objectives (3 units)

Everything Jesus did centered on the great purposes of God. This course analyzes Christ’s objectives for ministry and teaches students to institute management by objectives in their own life and ministry.

Mobilization Methodologies(3 units)

This course presents methods for mobilizing spiritual forces for God and explains the practical application of the Harvestime vision to specific areas of ministry. Referral courses in various areas of ministry are also available through this course.

Leaven-like Evangelism (3 units)

The Gospel of the Kingdom spreads throughout the world as leaven in bread dough. The leaven is small and hidden but its impact is unlimited. Effective evangelism strategies are taught, including detailed instruction on the deliverance ministry, church planting, and techniques of networking between ministries.

SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES

Women in Ministry (3 units)

A study of all the Bible teaches about women and their role in ministry.

Jail and Prison Ministry (3 units)

This course provides a complete guide to jail and prison ministry. Includes guidelines for visiting and writing inmates, conducting group services inside an institution, reaching out to families of inmates and ministering on death row.

THEOLOGY

Biblical Theology (3 units)

The course deals with the core concepts in Old and New Testament, placing God is the center and the initiator of spiritual blessings, which He brings to the world in Jesus Christ. Students will be enriched with unifying themes relating to the Messiah, the kingdom of God, the end times, and salvation.

Kingdom Living (3 units)

The Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:14). Understanding of Kingdom principles is necessary if one is to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom. This course focuses on patterns and principles of Kingdom living applicable to life and ministry.

Developing a Biblical WorldView (3 units)

This course examines the Biblical worldview from Genesis through Revelation. God’s plan for the nations of the world from the beginning of time is detailed. Current worldwide spiritual need is also presented.

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