Explores the theory and practice of age-specific generational and intergenerational educational ministry in the church. Attention will be given to the strength and limitation of such learning, and attempt to find the balance between the two to strengthen the bonding of different age-groups in the church as a whole. Offered in Mandarin.

In this course, students will confirm the Mission, Vision and Passion (MVP) in nurturing children’s faith and identify creative ways to build an effective Children’s Ministry. Based on Biblical teaching and child development theories, students can relate principles to practical application for responding to the spiritual needs of children and leading them to follow Bible’s teaching. Through hands-on activities and small group projects, students will examine different models of delivering Children Sunday School. They will design a curriculum that is age-appropriate, interesting, and strong in faith nurturing. Students learn practically how to foster children’s potential in experiencing God and lead them to Christ. Offered in Mandarin.

Seeks to understand the basic principles underlying the operation of small groups and how small groups can promote healthy church growth. We will examine the biblical basis of the small group structure and function in today’s church. Discussion will be focused on group dynamics, friendship evangelism, spiritual direction, and small group leader’s training. Offered in Mandarin.

Analyze the current context and developmental dynamics of today’s youths, so as to realize challenges young people are facing and their multi-dimensional needs. This study acquaints students with the physical, emotional and spiritual components of adolescents’ development which are constantly under the impact of the external world, family and faith community. It covers particularly young people’s struggles in spiritual faith realm. Based on this understanding and Biblical teaching, this course relates principles to practical application for equipping church leaders and parents in providing a better support to the holistic development (body, mind and soul) of today’s young people so as to prepare a nurturing spiritual soil for their faith and overall development. Offered in Mandarin.

An overview of the educational ministry within the Chinese church context. The principles of Christian education ministry, and the application of those principles within the Chinese church context will be examined. The course focuses on biblical, theological, philosophical, historical, psychological and methodological aspects of educational ministry in the Chinese church. Issues and common problems related to today’s Chinese church educational ministry will also be discussed. Offered in Mandarin.

Provides an understanding of adult development and learning. The principles of adult teaching and learning, and the application of those principles within the Christian context will be examined. The course focuses on biblical, theological, philosophical, historical, psychological and methodological foundations of adult development and learning. Issues and common problems relate to today’s adult ministry will also be discussed. Offered in Mandarin.

Andragogy is the study of methods, epistemologies, philosophies and contextual understandings of education that pertain to and enhance an adult-focused learning environment. This course will introduce the student to andragogical methods as a theological framework and a contextual teaching practice, exploring the theological, philosophical, and pragmatic underpinnings of teaching. The course will also introduce the student to a variety of strategies to advance their development as a teacher.

A survey of the origins of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in its social, cultural, and theological contexts. The course also examines and evaluates various continuities and changes in C&MA thought and practice.

Engages in reflection on the church’s identity, nature, and vocation based on Paul’s theology of the Christian community and the Alliance’s conviction concerning the deeper life (holiness) and mission. We will explore biblically and theologically how the church’s life and ministry should reflect our identity as the holy and missional people of God. We will discover how we are called by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to participate in God’s mission in and to the world from an Alliance perspective. Participants will be guided in developing a missional ecclesiology for their own ministry context.

Alliance spirituality is rooted in our experience of the triune God reflected on through the lens of the Four-Fold Gospel (Christ our Saviour, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King). It is a cruciform spirituality that touches all of life. We will examine what Alliance spirituality looks by drawing the Four-Fold Gospel into conversation with contemporary trinitarian thought, and the biblical narrative. Participants will discover how a cruciform spirituality invites us by God’s grace to become Christ-Centered, Spirit-empowered and mission-focused.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

Foundational for subsequent counselling courses. Topics: the integration of psychology and theology, the study of the self, the nature of Christian counselling, approaches to Christian counselling, resources in Christian counselling.

An on-site weekly three-hour training intensive focusing on the learning and development of counselling skills through lecture, video and role-playing experiences. Prerequisites: COUN 0574 and COUN 0677. Prerequisite (Clinical Track only): COUN 0674. Pre- or corequisite (Clinical Track only): COUN 0772. COUN majors only or with permission of program coordinator.

An on-site weekly three-hour training intensive focusing on the learning and development of counselling skills through lecture, video and role-playing experiences. Prerequisite: COUN 0601. Pre- or corequisite (Clinical Track only): COUN 0774.

Examines emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples. EFT is an evidence-based, short term, experiential, and systematic model. The course will introduce the major concepts of adult love, attachment theory, and the 3 stages (and 9 steps) of EFT. There will be an emphasis on the clinical skills and interventions utilized in EFT. A variety of teaching methods will be employed: didactic teaching, case studies, videos, small group exercises and discussion, etc. Please note: this course does not lead to EFT certification but will be useful in the understanding and the application of EFT. Prerequisites: COUN 0772, COUN 0774. Recommended: COUN 0773.

Connects current research with real-world application, helping students see how developmental psychology plays a role in their own lives and their clinical work. Students will examine human development across the entire life span. Significant theories and up-to-date research concerning lifespan development is discussed, with special attention given to influential theorists. Consideration is given to the connection between the biological, cognitive, and socioemotional process of human development from conception to death. The aim is to assist the student in conceptualizing human development as a framework for understanding the human condition and providing effective interventions toward a holistic approach in clinical counselling. Discussion will also include the integration of faith and psychology, including timely issues of personal relevance to the student’s own developmental pathway.

Same as PAST TH55.

Examination of specific topics in counselling.

Designed to enhance individual, marriage and family counselling within the context of a multicultural environment. Exposes students to the literature and principles of cross-cultural counselling from a multi-systems perspective. Independent research on a culturally different population relevant to the student’s current or anticipated counselling will be presented in seminar format. Practical involvement supplements the theoretical work within that particular population. Recommended prerequisite: COUN 0574 or equivalent. COUN majors only or by permission of program coordinator.

Takes an interdisciplinary Bio-Psycho-Social and theological approach to understanding Human Sexuality. The content will include a consideration of male and female sexual response cycles, love, intimacy and attachment, sexual behaviours, sexual compulsivity, pornography, sexual and gender identity, as well as sexuality over the life cycle. Attention will also be given to understanding common sexual concerns and appropriate therapeutic responses. Understanding the interpersonal dynamics of sexuality within the helping relationship itself is also discussed. Prerequisite: COUN 0574 and COUN 0674 or equivalent.

The nature of relational violence, its historical roots and its expression in modern social life and institutions in relation to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The development of a preventative and a therapeutic response to violence in relationships based on a theological and systemic perspective. Understanding the personal and interpersonal dynamics of violence and the therapeutic response to victims, perpetrators and witnesses from a systems perspective will also be explored with specific attention to collaborative and non-shaming interventions. Prerequisites: COUN 0574, 0677. Recommended: COUN 0674. COUN majors only or by permission of program coordinator.

Overview of major personality theories with regard to their development, philosophical assumptions, theoretical concepts and their clinical implications in work with individuals, couples and families. Students are encouraged to develop a reflective and critically interactive perspective to facilitate their therapeutic work. Prerequisite: COUN majors only or by permission of program coordinator.

A critical appraisal of basic theoretical concepts in Family Systems Theory. Topics: historical and conceptual development of Family Systems Theory; introduction to General Systems Theory; family rules, roles, structure and interaction patterns; functional and dysfunctional family systems; life cycle issues in marriage and family and ethnicity and family therapy. Recommended prerequisite: COUN 0574. COUN majors only or by permission of program coordinator.

Introduces the diagnostic categories of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) and considers various theoretical approaches to abnormal manifestations and psychopathology across the life span. In particular, students will gain an understanding of a range of traditional mental health problems as described in the DSM-5, the impact of these problems on relationships and current treatment strategies. Specific attention will be given to the major disorders of thinking (schizophrenia), affect (anxiety, depression, bipolar) and behaviour (personality). The emphasis will be on the impact of mental illness on family life and current methods of assessment and intervention. These methods will integrate individual and systems approaches to therapy, as well as psychiatric and biomedical approaches. The common psychotropic interventions used as adjuncts to treatment will be discussed. Prerequisites: COUN 0574, COUN 0674 and COUN 0772 or equivalent.