BTH-202Diploma Level

Ecclesiology & Pastoral Theology

The Church and Its Mission

8 Weeks4 Credits4 Modules4 Assessments

Course Overview

The church is not a building or an institution — it is the gathered people of God, the body of Christ, the community where broken people are meant to find restoration. Yet too many churches are themselves broken — wounded by leadership failure, toxic culture, or theological drift. This course studies the biblical doctrine of the church, its mission and governance, the theology of pastoral care, and the unique context of the African church in global Christianity. You will learn to serve within the church's structures while also recognising when those structures need their own restoration.

Course Description

Soul restoration does not happen in a vacuum — it happens within the body of Christ. This course grounds your counseling in the church, not outside it, and equips you to understand the nature, purpose, and leadership of the community God designed for healing.

Required Textbooks

  • Course materials provided
  • Recommended: The Church by Edmund P. Clowney

Course Modules

Study the biblical images of the church — body, bride, temple, family — and understand the church's mission in the world.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the major biblical metaphors for the church and their implications
  • Articulate the mission of the church in relation to restoration and reconciliation
  • Evaluate how local church culture can either promote or hinder soul healing

Assessments & Grading

Module quizzes (4 quizzes)

Church analysis project: evaluate the pastoral care capacity of a local church

Leadership reflection paper: biblical leadership applied to your own ministry context

Final examination

Passing score: 70% on all assessments. Students who do not meet the passing score may retake assessments after additional study.

Ready to Begin BTH-202?

Enroll individually for $49 or as part of a certification track.