Elder

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)

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 Providing Christian Education for All Ages
MPP1191 Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally
MPP1201 Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World
MPP1211 Declaring the Gospel of God
MPP1221 Living Ethical Lives
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.