CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM
2007-2008
The
Black Ministries Certificate Program (BMCP) at Hartford Seminary seeks to
strengthen, support and empower the clergy and laity of the greater
Hartford area by providing an educational foundation for existing and
emerging ministries. The program provides an introductory theological
education to clergy and laity. Designed
for completion in two years, the program offers courses in Liturgy,
Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, Christian Education, Church
Administration, Counseling, Preaching, Ethics, Theology, and Writing. The courses are taught by dynamic and experienced instructors
who have academic training and a personal commitment to the material
they teach. In addition,
many of the instructors are ordained clergy and experienced pastors
with a heart for the spiritual development of their students. The
Black Ministries Certificate Program welcomes students of all
religious and denominational backgrounds. A baccalaureate degree is not required for admission.
Writing
Requirement for Black Ministries Certificate Program
All students are required to successfully complete BMP-100
The Art of Communication unless exempted by the Program Director at the time of
admission.
Course
Descriptions
The Bible Institute: Understanding the Bible (offered each September)
Agosto/Faculty
The Bible Institute covers the historical, cultural and political forces that shaped the Bible, the history of translation and canonization of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The Bible Institute is required and free of charge for all students entering the Black Ministries Program. It is also open to the public for $35.
BMP-101 The Art of Communication
Crosby
Emphasizing effective oral and written communication techniques, this course assists students in the preparation of written assignments and oral presentations. Students will review the rules of syntax and grammar and will be exposed to research tools necessary for the art of creative expression.
BMP-120 Ministries of Prayer and Praise
Winter
A course that focuses on a study of the Black experience within our Christian worship heritage, with an emphasis on understanding social justice as liturgical action and individual gifts as the basis for developing ministries of prayer and praise.
BMP-140 Church Administration
Jackson
This course is designed to probe the ways church and ministries are a business. Topics covered will include techniques for managing and developing a budget, record-keeping, fundraising, supervision of staff, marketing and community relations.
BMP-161 Expository Preaching
Watts
The basic purpose of this course will be to instruct each student in the necessary “how to” of sermon preparation and delivery. Particular emphasis will be placed on the distinctiveness of preaching in the Black religious context. (Previous title - Preaching in the Black Context)
BMP-165 Introduction to Exegetical Preaching
Wesley
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of exegetical preaching. The course will examine how the genres of the text affect its potential meaning and expose students to some of the tools and methods that will allow them to engage the text with integrity in sermon preparation. Attention will be given to the uniqueness of the African-American appropriation of scripture.
BMP-181 Pastoral Care and Church Ministry
Carter
The heart of parish ministry is the care of the people. This course will focus on the development of skills and techniques for visitation, empathetic listening, providing support in crisis and understanding community systems and the development of community referral relationships. (Previous title - Introduction to Pastoral Counseling)
BMP-190 Theology and the Black Experience
Staff
The purpose of this course is to use the African-American experience and search for identity in America as a lens through which to understand the development of African-American theology in the context of the Christian tradition.
BMP-231 Education for the Life of the Church
Thomas
This is a comprehensive introduction to the total educational ministry of the church including worship, study, fellowship and service. These aspects of the church’s ministry are explored in relationship to curriculum planning, administration, church school organization, and teaching. (Previous title - Christian Education)
BMP-235 In Our Own Voices
Copeland
This preaching course will offer women the opportunity to explore and discern their own voices in preaching. Students will reflect on the historical, theological and biblical significance of women in the pulpit and will have an opportunity to participate in practical preaching exercises.
BMP-250: Shared Urban Spaces: Black-Latino Dialogue
Ayala and Bennett
This course will give a broad overview of a paradigm of ministry that has been categorized as Urban Ministries. The focus of this course will explore the historical evolution of what has come to be known as ministry in the urban context that is distinctive from the suburban or rural context, examine and evaluate one particular approach to urban ministry as executed by two ministries within the urban context, and reflect on the aforementioned tasks and their implications for each student’s ministry context.
BMP-260 Survey of the Old Testament
Kim
This course will study the major books of the Hebrew Scriptures emphasizing their content and theology. Data from archeology, the history and the culture of the ancient Near East, and critical approaches to scripture study will be introduced where appropriate.
BMP-270 Survey of the New Testament
Agosto
This course will concentrate on the major teachings of the New Testament documents and the origins of Christianity. Historical-critical observations will be discussed in connection with the New Testament texts.
BMP-280 Black Theological Ethics: A Case Study Approach
Staff
In this course case studies will be used to explore contemporary ethical problems impacting the black community from a theological perspective. The cases will focus on such issues as environmental racism, affirmative action, economics, health and sexuality to help participants gain a better understanding of faithful, ethical decision-making.
BMP-300 Charismatic Praise and Worship
Clayton
The black church has long been known for its dynamic praise and worship experience. This course will explore contemporary trends of praise and worship in the black church in light of the historical, biblical roots to provide participants with insights and skills to develop sound contemporary praise and worship teams and music ministries for the black church context.
