Elder
Ministry Preparation Program Elder Track for the Church of the Nazarene
The Ministry Preparation Program (MPP) exists to prepare men and women for ordination as an elder or deacon in the Church of the Nazarene through a series of courses that earn one semester hour of credit each. NBC is approved by the Church of the Nazarene International Board of Education for training leaders toward ordination or commission in the ministries of the Church of the Nazarene.
The Elder track is designed to augment the gifts of preaching the Word, and preparing students for the ministry of pastoring a local congregation. Courses are designed to help students become stewards of the Word and provide the necessary understanding and ministry skills to effectively lead and serve the church.
Program Requirements - NBC Variation (25 Courses)
| Course | Course Description |
|---|
| MPP0111* | Basic Written Language I (ENG0113) |
| MPP0121* | Basic Written Language II (ENG0123) |
| MPP0131** | Basic Written Language III (ENG0133) |
| MPP1000*** | Online Orientation (GEN1001) |
| MPP1511 | English Composition I (ENG1013) |
| MPP1521 | Introduction to Psychology (PSY1013) |
| MPP1531 | Introduction to the Old Testament (BIB1013) |
| MPP1541 | Introduction to the New Testament (BIB1023) |
| MPP1551 | Spiritual Formation (PAS1023) |
| MPP1571 | Western World/Ancient and Medieval Times (HIS2013) |
| MPP1581 | Western World/Emerging Modern Society (HIS2023) |
| MPP1591 | Biblical Interpretation (BIB2003) |
| MPP1601 | Pentateuch (BIB2013) |
| MPP1611 | New Testament Gospels (BIB2033) |
| MPP1621 | History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene (PAS2023) |
| MPP1631 | The Practice of Christian Ministry (PAS2013) |
| MPP1641 | Global Evangelism (OTR2013) |
| MPP1651 | Pauline Epistles (BIB3053) |
| MPP1661 | Systematic Theology I (THE3023) |
| MPP1671 | Systematic Theology II (THE3033) |
| MPP1681 | Pastoral Care and Counseling (PAS3023) |
| MPP1691 | Christian Preaching I (PAS3033) |
| MPP1701 | Christian Preaching II (PAS3043) |
| MPP1711 | Philosophy and Christian Ethics (PHI3013) |
| MPP1721 | Exploring Christian Holiness (THE2013) |
| MPP1731 | Developing a Missional Church (OTR4013) |
| MPP1741 | Church Administration and Finance (PAS4023) |
| MPP1752 | Supervised Ministry Experience (MPP1232) |
| MPP1761 | Hebrew Prophets (BIB3013) |
| MPP1761 | Foundations for Christian Educational Ministries (CEM2133) |
| MPP-1841 | Foundations of Women's Ordination (PAS-2133) |
Program Requirements - Modular Variation (24 Courses)
| Course | Course Description |
|---|
| MPP0111* | Basic Written Language I (ENG0113) |
| MPP0121* | Basic Written Language II (ENG0123) |
| MPP0131** | Basic Written Language III (ENG0133) |
| MPP1000*** | Online Orientation (GEN1001) |
| MPP1001 | Telling the Old Testament Story of God |
| MPP1011 | Telling the New Testament Story of God |
| MPP1021 | Communicating with Spoken and Written Language |
| MPP1031 | Exploring Christian Ministry |
| MPP1041 | Interpreting Scripture |
| MPP1051 | Tracing the Story of God in the Bible |
| MPP1061 | Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation |
| MPP1071 | Examining Our Christian Heritage I |
| MPP1081 | Examining Our Christian Heritage II |
| MPP1091 | Exploring Nazarene History and Polity |
| MPP1101 | Investigating Christian Theology I |
| MPP1111 | Investigating Christian Theology II |
| MPP1121 | Exploring John Wesley's Theology |
| MPP1131 | Becoming a Holy People |
| MPP1141 | Preaching the Story of God |
| MPP1151 | Shepherding God's People |
| MPP1161 | Administering the Local Church |
| MPP1171 | Leading the People of God |
| MPP1181 | Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally |
| MPP1201 | Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World |
| MPP1211 | Declaring the Gospel of God |
| MPP1221 | Living Ethical Lives |
Providing Christian Education for All Ages |
| MPP1321 |
Providing Christian Education for All Ages |
| MPP1321 |
Foundation of Women's Ordination |
| MPP1241 |
| MPP1232 | Supervised Ministry Experience |
- *MPP-0111 and MPP-0121 Basic Written Language I and II are required for all students scoring below 69 on the English Placement Test proficiency examination in English usage.
- **MPP-0131 Basic Written Language III is required for all students scoring between 70 and 94 on the English Placement Test proficiency examination in English usage.
- ***All MPP students must complete a two-week software/policy orientation before taking any online class. MPP students will be limited to one course in their first online session. No student may take more than two online classes in one session.
Academic Probation Policy: MPP students will follow the academic probation policy found in the academic policy section. Please contact the Ministry Preparation Program office for complete details and procedures.
Grade Scale: Ministerial students who are completing courses in preparation for ordination are expected to demonstrate at least a moderate level of understanding of the course materials. Individual district studies boards may choose not to accept any class for which a student scores a final grade below a “C.”
For further information about the elder track ordination variation, please contact the Ministry Preparation Program office at (719) 884-5141.