Courses and Scheduling

Current SALT Course Offerings

Hope creates SALT courses to meet the expressed needs of churches and emerging church leaders. The following four courses are being developed during 2007 at the request of churches. Once a course is released, it is available online anytime thereafter. Additional courses are planned for the future.

BIB2105/BIB5105 Bible Study Methods & Tools (2 units)
[Biblical/Theological Development; currently available]
This 5-week course develops the participants' ability to interpret the Bible with confidence and accuracy. It provides a systematic and non-technical method for studying the Bible, and teaches participants how to use easily accessible Bible tools. Click here for syllabus.

CHM2200/MIN5300 Foundations of Pastoral Care (2 units)
[Professional Development; currently available]
This 5-week course examines both the theoretical and theological principles behind pastoral care. It also equips participants with effective foundational skills for providing pastoral care, including active listening, crisis management, visitation protocols, and pastoral prayer. Click here for syllabus.

CHM2210/MIN5310 Balancing Marriage, Family, Church, and Work (2 units)
[Personal Development; currently available]
This 5-week course guides participants to a deeper self-awareness and personal analysis of the dynamics of any imbalance in their lives. It provides resources and exercises that help them regain health and perspective in the four key areas of marriage, family, church, and work. Click here for syllabus.

CHM3320/CHM5320 Dynamics of Servant Leadership (2 units)
[Professional Development; currently available]
This 5-week course introduces the principles and practice of servant leadership. What is a servant leader? Why would we choose to be servant leaders? How does a servant leader function in the life of the church and in the world to which Christ sends us? Click here for syllabus.

BIB1400/BIB5440 Jesus and the Kingdom of God (2 units)
[Biblical/Theological Development; available after February 12, 2008]
Students explore the purpose, structure, content, theological claims, and enduring significance of Matthew’s Gospel. Special attention is given to Matthew’s presentation of Jesus’ origin and identity, the nature and content of his Kingdom proclamation, and the facts and significance of his crucifixion and resurrection.

CHM11100/CDY55100 Preparing to Preach and Teach (2 units)
[Professional Development; available after March 18, 2008]
This course examines various models for effective preaching and teaching. It equips the student with skills in outlining, starting well, finishing strong, and crafting different approaches for different settings. It also offers a toolbag of presentation tips that will increase the student’s confidence and skill in these two crucial areas for the Church.

CHM11310/MIN5310 Developing Spiritual Disciplines (2 units)
[Personal Development; available after April 22, 2008]
This course introduces students to the spiritual disciplines of Scripture, prayer, fasting, silence, and solitude. It examines historical and biblical teachings on these disciplines, and explores their function and purpose for believers today. It also guides students into practical experiences of the disciplines, building a foundation for ongoing spiritual formation.

BIB22330/BIB5330 Psalms (2 units)
[Biblical/Theological Development; available after July 1, 2008]
This course introduces students to the leading principles and forms of Hebrew poetry, as well as the structure, content, and theological emphases of various Psalm types. Students apply the Psalms in prayer, worship, and other aspects of the Christian life.

BIB22400/BIB5450 Ephesians (2 units)
[Biblical/Theological Development; available after September 16, 2008]
Students systematically study Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, one of the most profound docu-ments of the New Testament. The course gives special attention to this letter’s background, structure, major themes, and relationship to Pauline theology. The course also encourages students to apply this epistle in their own lives and ministries.

BIB2500/BIB5500 The Holy Spirit (2 units)
[Biblical/Theological Development; available after October 21, 2008]
This course analyzes biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit in both the Old and New Testaments. It explores His person and ministry, giving special attention to the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the leading of the Spirit. Students also consider some of the Church’s historical teach-ings concerning the Spirit.

ICS11100/ICS5100 Preparing for Short-Term Mission (2 units)
[Professional Development; available after October 21, 2008]
Short-term mission trips can be life-changing experiences for all involved. This 5-week course prepares individuals and church groups for these special ministries by offering a biblical perspec-tive on the world’s peoples and the Lord’s call to go to the nations. Students gain practical skills for cross-cultural ministry that will benefit those who go, those whom they serve, and the host mission.

New Course Development

Hope International University develops SALT courses only in response to the expressed needs of churches. In accordance with the SALT mission, courses must contribute to students’ biblical, professional, and/or personal development. They must also serve a large enough group of students to make course development cost effective.

The SALT Academic Committee welcomes the opportunity to dialogue with you regarding your church’s leadership training needs and how the University might partner with you to meet those needs.

To propose a new SALT course, please click here and fill out a simple proposal form.

The following list provides a small sample of some of the broad areas that SALT courses could address. Included in parentheses are examples of topics students could explore within those broad areas.

• Biblical Development:
• Chronological Survey of the Bible
• Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians
• Christian Ethics for Today
• Developing a Christian Worldview
• Introduction to Islam

• Professional Development:
• Christian Conflict Management
• Building Effective Teams
• Social Problems Affecting Churches
• Introduction to Youth and Family Ministry
• Cross-Cultural Preparation for Short-Term Missionaries

• Personal Development:
• The Cycle of Spiritual Formation
• Discovering God in Our Stories
• Spiritual Disciplines (e.g. Prayer, Fasting, Silence and Solitude, Journaling, Devotional Reading)
• Handling Temptation
• Anger Management

Again, Hope will collaborate with its church partners to determine the areas of greatest need. The University will share its expertise and offer advice, but it will develop new courses based on church priorities.

Course Scheduling

SALT courses may be scheduled during any 5-week session. For details, please click here.