Applied Ministry

Required Courses

Each M.Div. student is required to complete 2 credit hours of Applied Ministry in the School of Theology. During the fall semester APLMN 4021 Applied Ministry Mentoring is offered. In the spring APLMN 4011 Applied Ministry Disciple-Making in the Local Church is offered. Spiritual Formation (SPFRM 3022) and Contemporary Evangelism (EVANG 3303) are prerequisite to APLMN 4011. It is recommended that APLMN 4021 be taken before APLMN 4011.

Elective Courses

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary through the Applied Ministry Division encourages and assists all students in gaining a variety of Applied Ministry experiences during their seminary years. Participation in Applied Ministry experiences will make students more attractive to potential ministry positions while a student and more appealing to potential employers after graduation.

  • Internship - The student works alongside a church leader in a covenant relationship to develop in areas of both competence and character to further his or her readiness for leadership in the local church or other ministry.
    • APLMN 3101 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3102 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3103 (3 hours)
  • Practicum - A structured and significant educational experience that takes place in a church, institution, or community environment under the supervision of ministry mentors and the guidance of the Applied Ministry Division.
    • APLMN 3201 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3202 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3203 (3 hours)
  • Mentorship - A relational experience in which one person (mentor) empowers another (mentoree) by sharing God-given resources such as personal strengths, resources, and networks (friendships/contacts) to help the student reach his or her goals.
    • APLMN 3301 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3302 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3303 (3 hours)
  • Apprenticeship - Usually a longer, more structured learning experience in which the student works with a church or ministry leader to develop a skill or cluster of skills to advance his or her competence in ministry.
    • APLMN 3401 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3402 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3403 (3 hours)
  • Disciple-Making - Advanced disciple-making practicum. The student works within the context of a local church to broaden their understanding and personal experience in New Testament one-on-one discipline of new or recent believers.
    • APLMN 3501 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3502 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3503 (3 hours)
  • Leadership - Designed for those students who are currently serving in a church ministry position. The emphasis is on the improvement of ministry skills as well as personal growth.
    • APLMN 3601 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3602 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3603 (3 hours)
  • Chaplaincy - A supervised Chaplaincy experience within military, healthcare, and community (fire, law enforcement, marketplace sports, etc.) context.
    • APLMN 3801 (1 hour)
    • APLMN 3802 (2 hours)
    • APLMN 3803 (3 hours)

Course Requirements

The division utilizes the following formula for computing 1 hour of academic credit in Applied Ministry electives.

  • 30 hours ministry involvement in a church, institution, mission trip, or community environment
  • 15 hours mentoring face-to-face, one-on-one by an experienced ministry mentor
  • 300 pages reading average (one book) for each credit hour
  • Keep a ministry journal that chronicles your journey through this experience.
  • Ministry Reflection paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the experiences (plus a "ministry trip log" for all short-term missions experiences).
  • Mentoring Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the mentoring experience.
  • Reading Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the lessons learned from the reading that the student wants to apply to life and ministry.
  • Signing a Mentoring Covenant.

The division utilizes the following formula for computing 2 hour of academic credit in Applied Ministry electives.

  • 60 hours ministry involvement in a church, institution, mission trip, or community environment
  • 21 hours mentoring face-to-face, one-on-one by an experienced ministry mentor
  • 600 pages reading average (one book) for each credit hour
  • Keep a ministry journal that chronicles your journey through this experience.
  • Ministry Reflection paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the experiences (plus a "ministry trip log" for all short-term missions experiences).
  • Mentoring Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the mentoring experience.
  • Reading Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the lessons learned from the reading that the student wants to apply to life and ministry.
  • Signing a Mentoring Covenant.

The division utilizes the following formula for computing 3 hour of academic credit in Applied Ministry electives.

  • 90 hours ministry involvement in a church, institution, mission trip, or community environment
  • 30 hours mentoring face-to-face, one-on-one by an experienced ministry mentor
  • 900 pages reading average (one book) for each credit hour
  • Keep a ministry journal that chronicles your journey through this experience.
  • Ministry Reflection paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the experiences (plus a "ministry trip log" for all short-term missions experiences).
  • Mentoring Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the ministry conducted and what was learned from the mentoring experience.
  • Reading Reflection Paper of approximately 3-5 pages in length describing the lessons learned from the reading that the student wants to apply to life and ministry.
  • Signing a Mentoring Covenant.

Duration

Applied Ministry elective courses may be summer, semester, or year-long experiences and may earn multiple credit hours (see formula above).

  • Summer ministries (8-10 weeks) - Credit hours are computed using the division's formula.
  • Semester positions (14 weeks) - Credit hours computed using the division's formula.
  • Year-long experiences (9-12 months) - Credit hours computed using the division's formula.
  • Special Ministry opportunities - evangelistic meetings, missions trips, practicums, etc.

The Division personnel will work with each student to design a program that will best correspond with their professional and academic goals.