The Ministry Residency is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to immerse students in real-world ministry experiences while providing them with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for effective leadership in a church or faith-based organization. Through a combination of classroom instruction, fieldwork, and mentorship, students will delve into topics such as pastoral care, preaching and teaching, spiritual formation, and community engagement. This course cultivates a deep understanding of theology and biblical interpretation to guide ethical decision-making and the development of an authentic ministry identity. Furthermore, students will have opportunities to engage in critical reflection on their personal beliefs and practices, fostering self-awareness and growth. By the end of this residency program, graduates will be equipped with the necessary tools to navigate complex issues within society and lead their congregations with compassion, integrity, and grace. The residency program will consist of 602 seat hours over (two) 24-week semesters and will cover everything you will need to be on the ministry team of the church. You must complete all (lecture, lab, and field) requirements to be considered for a ministry position within the church. This is an upper-level undergraduate college-level course and you will be evaluated as such. 

Central New York Universal Life Church Course Syllabus

Course Title: Ministry Residency

Instructor Name: To Be Announced

Phone #: (607) 431 - 8521

E-mail: cnyulc.headquarters@gmail.com

Prerequisites: Leadership Class, must be completed one normal semester before starting this class. College Level Reading and Writing Skills are a must for this class.

Student Learning Outcomes: After completing this class, the student will be fully prepared for ordained roles in the ministry.

Required Materials: Access to a working PC, Word Processor, and an Internet Connection.

Holy Bible - Christian Standard Bible 

Evaluation: Students must complete all assignments in this classroom. You must pass BOTH parts and accumulate 487 points out of 650 possible points during part 1 and 375 points out of 500 possible points during part 2 to pass the class.

Part 1

Attendance and In-Class Participation - Based on 72 Class Days (1.9  Points per day) = 137 Points + up to 3 points depending on enthusiasm.

Personality Assessments - (1 OR 2) 10 points = 10 points (2nd one for Bonus Points)

Discussion Responses (Paragraph) - (2) 10 points = 20 points

Reflective Paper (1 - 2 pages) - (10) 20 points = 200 points

Reflective Paper (2 - 3 pages) - (5) 30 points = 150 points

Reflective Paper (3 - 5 pages) - (2) 40 points = 80 points

Reflective Paper (9 pages) - (1) 50 Points = 50 Points

Part 2 

Attendance and In-Class Participation - Based on 72 Class Days (1.35 Points per day) = 97 points + up to 3 points depending on enthusiasm.

Rotation Essay (6 pages) - (4) 50 points a piece = 200 points

Competency Reviews by the instructor - (4) 50 points a piece = 200 points

Attendance: This is a hybrid class. You must attend the Lectures, Laboratories, and Field 

classes to get the material needed for each assignment. The assignments will be posted on the appropriate week in the online portion of the class. All assignments are due on Fridays at 11:59 PM. Those with extensions will be given until Sunday at 11:59 PM to submit the assignment. Please complete each assignment within the time frame allotted. 

Students with Disabilities Statement: Our policy is to provide, on an individual basis,

reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities, which may affect their ability to fully participate in program or course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities should contact the instructor in advance, to discuss their particular need for accommodations. All course materials can be made available in alternate formats upon request.

Semester 1 - Lecutres and Labs (Aug XX - Feb XX)

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Semester 2 - Field Work (Feb/Mar XX - Jul/Aug XX)

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Personality Assessment(s), All Reflective Papers, Competency Reviews 3 and 4, and All Rotation Essays

Discussion Responses

Lecture Content 

Week 1 - Introduction and Personality Testing

• Course Description

• Safety orientation

• Workplace hazards

• Outline mission and vision

• Senior management

• Explain computer and phone systems

• Review training requirements

• Provide relevant training materials

• Syllabus

• Grading

• Introduction to Personality Testing

Weeks 2 and 3 - Church Policies

• • Week 2: Transportation and OSHA Act 

  • Week 3: General Legal, General Employee, Legislature Appointees, and housing and conduct

    • Assignment - Discussion Response: What effect do the church policies have on the overall operation of the church? (Due end of Week 3)

Week 4 and 5 - Introduction to Required Field Work Training

• Week 4: Sacraments, and Religious Education

• Week 5: Counseling, and Worship

  • Assignment - Discussion Response: What Ministry teams do you see yourself being a part of? (Due end of Week 5)

Weeks 6 - 14: The Christian Bible

• Week 6: Introduction and Genesis - Deuteronomy

  • Readings: Genesis 1-3, 12, 15, 22; Exodus 1-5, 12-14, 20; Leviticus 1, 10, 11, 16, 25; Numbers 3-4, 6, 11-14; Deuteronomy 5-8, 28-31, 34

• Week 7: Joshua - Esther

  • Readings: Joshua 1-6, 23-24; Judges 1-4, 13-16; Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 7-10, 12, 15-20, 28, 31; 2 Samuel 5-8, 11-13, 15, 18; 1 Kings 3, 6-12, 17-19, 21; 2 Kings 1-2, 6-7, 11-12, 17-23; 1 Chronicles 15-17, 21-22, 28-29; 2 Chronicles 5-10, 14-16, 24-26, 29-35; Ezra 3, 6-7; Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6; Esther 1-4

• Week 8: Job - Song of Solomon

  • Readings: Job 1-3, 38-42; Psalms 1, 8, 19, 23, 51, 100, 103, 139, 150; Proverbs 1-3; Ecclesiastes 1-5, 12; Songs of Solomon 1-2

• Week 9: Five "Major" Prophets

  • Readings: Isaiah 1-2, 6, 40, 52-55; Jeremiah 1-5, 29; Lamentations 3; Ezekiel 1-3, 18, 33; Daniel 1-2, 4-6

• Week 10: Twelve "Minor" Prophets

  • Readings: Hosea 1-4; Joel 2; Amos 3; Obadiah; Jonah 1; Micah 1-2; Nahum 1; Habakkuk 1; Zephaniah 3; Haggai, Zechariah 1-2; Malachi 1

• Week 11: Matthew - Acts

  • Readings: Matthew 1-2, 5-7, 17, 26-28; Mark 1-4, 10, 15-16; Luke 1-2, 4-6, 8-10, 22-24; John 1, 3-4; 13-17, 19-21; Acts 1-4, 8-10, 12-15

• Week 12: Romans - Hebrews

  • Readings: Romans 5-8, 12; 1 Corinthians 1-2, 13; 2 Corinthians 4-5, 8-9; Galatians 5-6; Ephesians 4-6; Philippians 2, 4; Colossians 1, 4; 1 Thessalonians 2, 4; 2 Thessalonians 3; 1 Timothy 1, 3; 2 Timothy 3-4; Titus 2; Philemon; Hebrews 10-13

• Week 13: James - Jude

  • Readings: James 1-3; 1 Peter 1, 5; 2 Peter 1; 1 John 1-2; 2 John; 3 John; Jude

• Week 14: Revelations

  • Readings: Revelation 19-22

Weeks 15 - 23: World Religions

• Weeks 15 and 16: Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism

• Weeks 17 and 18: Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism

• Weeks 19 and 20: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

• Week 21: Baha’i Faith, Zoroastrianism

• Weeks 22 and 23: Scientology, Humanism, Wicca

Week 24 - Wrap up

• Legal Issues

• Ministry

• Specialized Ministries

Laboratory hours will supplement the Lectures by giving practical hands-on experience in the topics on the same schedule as the Lectures.

Week 1 - Introduction and Personality Testing

Strengths-Quest (OPTIONAL, extra costs ($20), e-mail address required)

a1. https://www.strengthsquest.com/home.aspx

a2. Register and complete the assessment

a3. Save and submit a copy of your top Five results and report the results to your instructor

Crystal Knows (e-mail address required)

b1. Go to https://www.crystalknows.com

b2. Take the following assessments: preferably in this order:

b3. DISC; Enneagram; Big Five Assessment; Strengths Assessment; and Values Assessment

b4. Save and submit a copy of your results and report the results to your instructor.

• Assignment: Submit Copies of personality assessments (may use the same form as many times as you need). Due at the end of Week 1.

Weeks 2 and 3 - Church Policies

• How does church policy shape every aspect of the church?

Week 4 and 5 - Introduction to Required Field Work Training

• Week 4: Sacraments, and Religious Education

• Week 5: Counseling, and Worship

Weeks 6 - 14: The Christian Bible

• Week 6: Introduction and Genesis - Deuteronomy

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 7: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 7: Joshua - Esther

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 8: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 8: Job - Song of Solomon

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 9: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 9: Five "Major" Prophets

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 10: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 10: Twelve "Minor" Prophets 

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 11: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

  • Reflective Assignment: 3 – 5 Pgs: Due at the end of week 12: Reflect on your readings of the Old Testament. Make sure you address each unit in your response.

• Week 11: Matthew - Acts

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 12: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 12: Romans - Hebrews

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 13: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 13: James - Jude

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 14: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

• Week 14: Revelations

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 15: What are your thoughts on the readings assigned? Please address each reading in its paragraph.

  • Reflective Assignment: 3 – 5 Pgs: Due at the end of week 16: Reflect on your readings of the New Testament. Make sure you address each unit in your response.

  • Reflective Assignment: 1 – 2 Pgs: Due at the end of week 15: As we get ready to get started on World Religions, what do we know about world religions?

Weeks 15 - 23: World Religions

• Weeks 15 and 16: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism

  • Reflective Paper: 2 – 3 pages: Due by the end of Week 17: Explain the differences between these three faiths.

  • Unit Assignment: Due at the end of Week 23: Pick a world religion to research more in-depth, and write an 8 - 10 page paper.

• Week 17 and 18: Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Taoism

  • Reflective Paper: 2 – 3 pages: Due by the end of week 19: Critique the four faiths in this unit.

• Week 19 and 20: Judaism, Christianity and Islam

  • Reflective Paper: 2 – 3 pages: Due by the end of week 21: Compare and contrast the three faiths in this unit.

• Week 21: Baha’i Faith, and Zoroastrianism

  • Reflective Paper: 2 – 3 pages: Due by the end of week 22: Discuss the two faiths in this unit.

• Week 22 and 23: Scientology, Humanism, Wicca

  • Reflective Paper: 2 – 3 pages: Due by the end of week 24: Evaluate the importance of the three faith groups in this unit.

Week 24 - Wrap up

• Legal Issues,

• Ministry

• Specialized Ministries

Weeks 1 - 6: 14 hours per week (84 Hours) Topic: Worship

• UNIT ASSESSMENT: Essay 5 - 7 pages: Summarize and Reflect on each topic. Due at the end of Week 7

• Competency Review: Prepare and Lead a Full Worship Service on the Sunday following Week 6

Week 1: Introduction to Music Production, Music Appreciation, Live Sound, Live Worship Music Technology, Music Industry Practices

Week 2: Christian Leadership, Intro to Evangelism, Team Ministry

Week 3: Introduction to Christian Missions, Local Church Outreach, Urban Outreach Ministries, Missions & Culture

Week 4: Biblical Foundations of Worship, Sermon Preparation & Peaching, The Worship Service: Design & Function, Worship Ministry Leadership, Worship in the Modern Church

Week 5: Discipleship/Small Groups, Church Growth and Planting, Ethics

Week 6: Administration of Non-Profit Organization, Church Administration, Ministry & Business

Weeks 7 - 12: 14 hours per week (84 Hours) Topic: Sacraments

• UNIT ASSESSMENT: Essay 5 - 7 pages: Summarize and Reflect on each sacrament. Due at the end of Week 13

• Competency Review: Prepare and perform each church sacrament (12) during Week 12.

Week 7: Wedding Laws, Marriages

Week 8: Marriage Concepts and Practical Ministry

Week 9: Affirmation of Love and Renewal of Vows

Week 10: Communion, Baptisms, Baby Naming, Pet Naming

Week 11: Funerals, Memorials, and Cemetery Services

Week 12: Anointing Oil, Holy Water, Exorcisms

Weeks 13 - 17: 15 hours per week (75 Hours) Topic: Religious Education

• UNIT ASSESSMENT: Essay 5 - 7 pages: Summarize and Reflect on each topic. Due at the end of Week 17

• Competency Review: Prepare a unique Religious Education Class by the end of Week 18

Week 13 and 14: Curriculum and Instruction, Writing and Preparing Religious Education Curriculum 

Week 15: The Christian Bible (Review)

Week 16: Principles of Biblical Interpretation, Teaching the Bible

Week 17: Other World Religions (Review)

Weeks 18 - 23: 15 hours per week (90 Hours) Topic: Pastoral Counseling

• UNIT ASSESSMENT: Essay 5 - 7 pages: Summarize and Reflect on each topic. Due at the end of Week 23

• Competency Review: Prepare a counseling approach to address an issue uncovered in class. Due Week 23.

Week 18: Intro to Christian Caregiving, Issues/Identity of the Caregiver,

Week 19: Pastoral Approaches to Counseling, Developing Helping Skills, 

Week 20: Youth Culture and Faith Development, Spirit-Empowered Pastoral Care

Week 21: Mental Health and the Church, Substance Abuse & Addiction

Week 22: Neuroscience of Trauma & Healing, Pastoral Care of Families with Youth

Week 23: Pre-Marital Counseling

Weeks 24: 5 hours per week (5 Hours) Topic: Ordination

Week 24: Graduation and Ordination Ceremony