Introduction

This course will prepare graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Church Leadership to proceed for ordination as junior pastor with the Assemblies of God of Seychelles. The ministerial credentials and ordination will not be issued by BIAGOS but by the Senior Pastor of the Assemblies of God of Seychelles (AGOS), following the recommendation of an ordination committee to be establish at the appropriate time by AGOS. BIAGOS will ascertain successful completion of the course. Graduates who do not wish to be ordained will be awarded an Advanced Diploma in Church Leadership, which will be equivalent to an Associate Degree in Theology.

The course will comprise theoretical and practical components, and focused on bible studies, theological principles and practical ministry skills for service as a junior pastor. For the practical component, the student will be assigned to a pastor mentor for a period of six months.

Courses

D201 Biblical Hermeneutics - The purpose of this course is to train the student to interpret the Bible using the grammatical-historical-critical principles of exegesis in order to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” for teaching and preaching the Bible. It explores the qualifications, tools, and goals of a biblical interpreter, explores the development of hermeneutics throughout biblical history, from early Jewish interpreters to the present.

D202 Biblical Theology - The course will develop an understanding the Bible’s unity and diversity by exploring methodological issues and topics in Biblical theology. For a methodology perspective, the course will explore the main approaches to Biblical theology followed by a more in-depth topical study of key doctrines.

D203 The Synoptic Gospels - These comprise the three gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke and together present the life and ministry of Jesus in a similar way, although there are some significant differences. The course will discuss the three gospels, the history, form and literary criticism.

D204 Escatology - Eschatology teaches about the end times, and this course will examine what the Scriptures teach about the last days, including a variety of challenging topics, such as the afterlife, the general resurrection, and the consummation of Christ’s messianic kingdom in the new heavens and new earth.

DE210 Book study - studying an entire book of the Bible to get the intent of the original writer, understand the context of the verses, and study it in the way it was originally meant to be learned is one of the ways to understand and apply God's word. The book study will also enable the student to apply some of the analytical, research and methodological skills acquired during the Diploma and the first part of this course.

D205 Church Leadership - This course is designed to help identify some of the most basic principles of church leadership by examining from scripture some of the characteristics, qualities, and examples of what makes a good spiritual leader. It should be noted that spiritual leadership is not the same thing as leadership in general, although there are some shared principles.

D206 AGOS Missions - This course lays the basis for evangelism and introduces the science of missions. Special emphasis will be placed on issues of society and Christianity as well as developments in communicating the Gospel within a sold scriptural framework.

DE20 Ministerial Internship - Students are expected to undertake a six-month internship and mentoring programme, as well as complete a project.

Minimum Entry Requirements:

The minimum entry requirement for the course will be Secondary School or S5 completion Certificate and a Diploma in Church Ministry. Applicants wishing to obtain recognition of prior learning (RPL) will need to follow the appropriate procedures specified on the Enrollment page.