WSI Offers Courses for the Student Who Is Interested in a Thorough Knowledge of the Scriptures and Theology

Courses are taught using the historical Reformed confessions of the church as their foundational perspective. WSI courses are offered in five areas of study: Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Theology, History & Missions, and Humanities.

This range of studies provides an opportunity for the student to receive an integrated series of courses to provide a broad variety of training in the various areas of theological studies.

WSI courses can be followed for personal interest (attend WSI conferences and/or online sessions), at the Certificate Level (attend WSI conferences and complete the required Certificate Level assignments) and at the level of Bachelor of Theological Studies (40 courses) and Master of Theological Studies (20 courses).

For all levels, each course is introduced by a conference of 6-8 hours by a professor who specializes in the respective course subject. The conference introduces the course format and requirements and presents an introduction to the subject of the course. This is followed up with student assignments and (only) for the Bachelor and/or Master students, a minimum of 8-10 additional hours of class activity is required, with locations and times negotiated among the students.

In recent years, the one-day conferences have been replaced by four 2-hour zoom sessions; additional online classroom requirements for Bachelor and Master students are developed in consultation with WSI, the instructor and the students.

Bachelor and Master Level studies

To study at the bachelor’s level, at minimum, a student must have a high school degree or equivalent; to study at the master’s level, the student must have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent at a recognized college or university. In order to complete a bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree, a student is required to register with Mints International Seminary. For both, the bachelor’s and master’s level, each course provides three academic credits in which each academic credit is the equivalent of 30 hours of academic activity.

For every course, the following tasks will be completed for Bachelor and Master levels:

  1. Minimum of 15 hours of class time

  2. 15 hours of homework outside of class that is reported on in class

  3. Readings: 300 pages for BA, 600 pages for MA with a critical reflection reading report of 3 (BA) or 5 (MA) pages minimum

  4. Essay on a theme related to the course: 10 pages for BA, 15-20 pages for MA

  5. An examination on the course content

Certificate Level Courses

To study at the Certificate Level, no previous degree is required; a student has to register with the Word and Spirit Institute and follow the requirements provided by the instructor. After the entire program has been completed (Aging Courses) or 8 courses (Leadership program) have been completed, a certificate will be awarded. Students have the option to audit the courses by attending the seminars without doing the required homework. No certificate will be awarded when this model is followed. Additional requirements for students at the certificate level will be given by the instructor.

COURSES OFFERED:

MINISTRY FOR THE AGING PROGRAM (Taught by Dr. T. McCormick)

CHURCH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Church Leadership training

  1. Theology of Church Leadership (Rev. M. VanLuik)
  2. Home Visitation (Mr. J. Siebenga)
  3. Church Discipline
  4. Primer on Church Order and Meeting Procedures
  5. Diaconal Ministry
  6. Principles and Practices of Pastoral Care
  7. Conflict Resolution
  8. Ministry for the Aging (Dr. T. McCormick)

Enhancing Congregation life

  1. Primer on Reformed Doctrine
  2. Church Liturgy (Mr. R. Kingma)
  3. Supervision of Worship
  4. Dynamics of Spiritual Growth (Individual and Congregational)
  5. Teaching catechism/Sunday School/Vacation Bible School
  6. Small Group Ministry -Youth, Elderly, Small groups, Bible study groups
  7. Promoting evangelism
  8. World Religions

Courses Taught Periodically at the Institute

General Theology Courses

    1. Seeing the Forest in the Trees – reformed theology (Dr. J. VanVliet)
    2. Philippians – “The Gospel of Joy” (Dr. E. Pennings)
    3. Nehemia (Dr. E. Pennings)
    4. Hermeneutics (Dr. E. Pennings)
    5. World Religions (Dr. E. Pennings / Rev. T. Megaly)

For more information about any of the courses and/or course programs, please email wsinstitute@outlook.com