Training Program

The ministry and missions Training Program is very practical so that students can put into practice what is learned in theory.  There is also a commitment from the staff to be actively involved in mentoring and guidance.  NLSOM is committed to cultivate an atmosphere of spiritual growth through personal devotions, corporate devotional meetings and pastoral mentoring groups.  We integrate the International School of Ministry (ISOM) curriculum in the program so that students are able to receive recognition through ISOM. Credit transfer options are also available at the Christian Leadership University (www.cluonline.com/transfer).


At NLSOM we are committed to develop the Head, Heart and Hands of our students.

Head

Head

All students are required to participate in the classes, seminars and discussion groups, and be actively involved in every aspect of the program.  The following are some themes that are covered in class as well as in seminars and discussion groups:

  • Leadership and teamwork
  • Church planting
  • Ministry planning
  • Missions awareness and evangelism principles
  • Prayer and prophetic ministry
  • Old & New Testament Survey
  • Basic Doctrines
  • Hermeneutics
  • Homiletics
  • Creative ministry (drama, mime, dance, puppets, clowning and drawing)

Heart

Heart

NLSOM places a high value on the development of Christ-like character and recognizes that this change comes through a number of personal disciplines, life experiences and encouragement from other Christians.  The experience of a personal intimate relationship with God, a life-style of prayer, worship and obedience is encouraged.  The following activities will encourage personal growth:

  • Corporate worship
  • Individual mentorship program
  • Discipleship groups
  • Christian formation workshops
  • Campus work duties

Hands

Hands

At NLSOM one of our core values is to prepare men and women for missions and ministry in a practical way. NLSOM creates opportunities for people to serve God in a cross cultural environment through community development, social involvement and the preaching of the Gospel. Students will be actively serving as volunteers in the local communities on a weekly basis, being involved in ministries such as:

  • Pastoral work in local churches
  • Youth and children’s ministry
  • Feeding Program for the Poor
  • Field trips to local and international communities

NLSOM is committed to see our local communities touched and changed through such loving service, showing the love of God in a very real and tangible way. Once a year, NLSOM will have an organized international outreach which is compulsory for all those participating in the Training Program.  This is an amazing opportunity to gain new experiences.

Curriculum

For each subject we will provide you with a guidebook which – along with your Bible – includes all the material you will need. Recommended reading is sometimes suggested but no additional purchases are necessary, although access to a good local library and to the internet would benefit you.

First and Second Year Subjects

1.  Christian Formation

All through the study years of the student one of the focus points of NLSOM is to help the student form a Christ-like character. This is done through Mentoring, Small groups, Scripture memorization, Devotions and Worship times, Journaling and Work Duties.

The students will embark on a journey to know our Heavenly Father, to hear from His heart and to distinguish His voice.  Students will learn a passion for prayer and intimacy with God.  In this process the student will understand journaling and keeping record of the things God is speaking to each person individually.

Themes that will be covered to enhance Christian Formation are:

  • Secrets of the Secret Place
  • Hearing God’s Voice (CLU)
  • Fear of the Lord (ISOM)
  • Wilderness Mentality (ISOM)
  • Authority and Forgiveness (ISOM)
  • Spiritual Breakthrough (ISOM)
  • Living to Give (ISOM)
  • Managing for Tomorrow (ISOM)
  • Feasts of God
  • Bridal Intercession
  • Promise Keeper (ISOM)
  • Altar Call (ISOM)
  • Spiritual Warfare (ISOM)

2. Old Testament Survey

The Old Testament is ignored by many Christians today and is called irrelevant.  A survey of all the books in the Old Testament will help you to understand the relevancy and importance of the Old Testament for your Christian walk with God.  This subject aims to introduce students to the structure, contents and historical context of the OT.

3. New Testament Survey

This module will provide you with the background knowledge of the New Testament world, books and authors that you will need to truly understand the scriptures in their original context.  This subject will give the students a basic analysis of the historical and social factors that may have influenced any given New Testament writing.

4. Hermeneutics

Everything we do as Christians should be cantered on the word of God, so it is vitally important we understand how to interpret it properly. This subject will help you and teach you skills in how to interpret and understand the Bible.  It will expose the student to the various systems/schools of biblical interpretation.  It will make the student aware of the important role of the interpreter and his background in interpretation.

5. The Book of Acts

This subject aims to explore the theological themes in the Book of Acts within the context of the Mission of Christ and the Mission of the Early Church.  It achieves this by the exploration of historical and cultural context and by a thematic exegesis of the Book of Acts.  Guidance will be given where practical parallels to today’s Church are deemed applicable.

6. Romans and Galatians

This subject presents the teachings of Paul found in Romans and Galatians in such a way as to enable the student to be able to fully understand the themes and the content of the letters and to apply the findings to today’s context.  This subject explains the Epistle of Paul to the Romans and points out the highlights in the development of Paul’s handling of the doctrines.  It will also examine critical issues raised within the text in the Epistle to the Galatians.

7.  Corinthians

This subject will enable students to develop the skills necessary for an informed, critical approach to the material with its corresponding literature and the varied opinions of modern scholarship and assess and evaluate the relevance of the epistle for themselves and their future ministry.

8. Song of Solomon

A study of the Song of Solomon will help us to discover the relationship between Christ and the Church.

9.  Introduction to Theology

Being a Christian isn’t just about what we do – what we believe really does matter! This module will help you understand what the Bible has to say on some of the key theological issues, such as the nature of God and the deity of Christ.  This subject gives an understanding of the main doctrines of the Christian Faith. This is a course that deals with the fundamental doctrines of the Bible and touches on the issues that every Christian should know about, from the nature of God and the person of Christ to the character of the Church and the life of the believer.  Other themes that will be covered under Introduction to Theology are:

  • Foundations of the Faith (ISOM)
  • Reconciliation (ISOM)
  • Jesus our Healer Today (ISOM)
  • Christ Connection (ISOM)
  • Essence of the Gospel (ISOM)

10. God the Holy Spirit

It is important to understand the Person, Work and Power of the Holy Spirit.  This is a study of the dynamics of the Holy Spirit and also covers both the gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12–14 and the ministry gifts of Ephesians 4. Other themes that will be covered under God the Holy Spirit are:

  • Supernatural Living (ISOM)
  • Being Led by the Spirit (ISOM)

11. The Nature of the Church

The student will be introduced to the Church, its nature and its diversity, within the parameters of the New Testament documents, taking into account the manner in which these documents have been and are interpreted.  We will examine the question of form within ecclesiastical Church government. The student will examine the doctrine of the Priesthood of all Believers. This subject will propose, where possible, how an understanding of this doctrine could better equip the student in his participation in the Church today, and thereby facilitate its goals and functions. Other themes that will be covered under the Nature of the Church are:

  • Cell Groups (ISOM)
  • Church Growth
  • Experiencing God in Small Groups (CLU)

12. Beliefs about the End-times

To present an overview of the major factors in the study of the End Times so that the student will be familiar with the various schools of thought pertaining to the field and be aware of the interpretational issues affecting the emphases of each of them.  The student will also look at the role of Israel in the End-time.

13.  Homiletics

Homiletics is the science of preaching, and you will learn in this subject how to structure your message and communicate the gospel effectively & and how to get the best out of any sermon you’re listening to!  This course aims to introduce students to the basic elements of preaching and sermon preparation.  The student will learn the principles of teaching and preaching and also go through the study material “Seven Laws of the Learner”.

14. Christian Leadership

Every church leader needs to understand the dynamics of church life. This module has important insights into communicating vision, into church structure, growth and development, and into building the kind of mission-minded church the third millennium needs.  Other themes that will be covered under leadership are:

  • Leaders Integrity (ISOM)
  • Leadership Vision (ISOM)
  • Developing Leaders (ISOM)
  • Cell Group Leaders (ISOM)
  • 17 Laws of Teamwork
  • Church Based Training (ISOM)
  • Biblical Eldership (ISOM)
  • Leadership in the 21st Century

15. Christian Ethics

This theme is to survey the world views of secular and biblical backgrounds involved in the study of ethics. It will provide a framework for Christian Ethics from both Old and New Testaments.  We will examine the particular methodology of schools of ethics such as those based upon relativism (situation ethics) and absolutism. The students will examine a selection of specific topical issues such as euthanasia, divorce and remarriage, abortion, pacifism and any others which are introduced at the request of the students.

16. World Religions and Cults

In this subject the student will learn more about other religions in the world and how to evangelize and reach some of these major religious groups like:

  • Islamic Studies
  • Buddhism
  • Hinduism
  • Introduction to Animism
  • Cults

17.  Worship, Prayer and Fasting

This course intends to better equip intending ministers, musicians and worship leaders for ministry in the contemporary movement and to encourage excellence in the fields of music and worship.  Worship is praise to God. Worship is also service to God. In this course, you will be introduced to a new life of prayer and worship. A closer look at the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him “how to pray” shows us that Jesus was saying, “You cannot separate prayer and worship from living.” You cannot say of prayer, “Now I have finished … now I will return to my work.” Prayer is never finished and it is a part of everything that we do. In this course, prayer is presented as the preparation for worship and worship is defined as constantly living in a way that pleases God and fulfills His purposes.

  • Praise & Worship (ISOM)
  • Power of Prayer (ISOM)

18. Pastoral Work and Counseling

The subject is designed to develop specific ministry gifting and focuses on the role of pastors in today’s church.  This subject will also teach the student basic counseling skills in ministering to individuals and small groups. Other themes that will be covered under Pastoral Work and Counseling are:

  • Ministry of Helps (ISOM)
  • Conflict Management

19. Prophetic Ministry

This subject will enable students to learn the Biblical basis for prophetic ministry.  They will also develop skills of how to move in the prophetic and receive personal ministry from experienced teachers.

20. Children’s Ministry

Children’s Ministry will enable the student to do Children’s Evangelism and how to connect with children on their level.  A focus on walking with wounded children will help the student how to minister to children that are orphaned, or had some traumatic experience.

21. Youth Ministry

  • Ministering to Youth (ISOM)
  • Reaching the New Generation (ISOM)

22. Church Planting

Ever since the church began on the Day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ have been planting churches in the entire world.  In this study, the value of having the direction of the Holy Spirit in planning strategy for the founding of new churches is shown. The Bible gives the principles and purposes which are the guidelines to planting the church in every culture and people group.

  • Church Planting in Teams (ISOM)

23. Practical Ministry Training

The student will do Practical Ministry which forms part of the overall development and equipment of the student.  The student will learn how to do ministry planning and how to do personal and financial management

24.  Church History

Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat history’s mistakes, so they tell us. Avoid falling into some of those traps by learning of the church’s successes and failures over the last two millennia.  This subject will give the student a broad grasp and understanding of the main periods, trends and personalities in the history of the Christian Church from its beginnings to the present time.

25.  Missions & Evangelism

This subject will whet the appetite of the student and provide some of the tools which will enable profitable and informed research and practice in the future. It will introduce the student to some of the major theological and practical issues in Missiology today.  It will point out some of the areas which have been the cause of failure or of relative success in missionary work in the past and examine the reasons for the same.  The student will receive a clear understanding of what is involved in mission and enable students to benefit from the spiritual and anthropological understanding of modern Missiology. Other themes that will be covered under Missions and Evangelism are:

  • Evangelism Explosion
  • Power Evangelism (ISOM)
  • Personal Evangelism (ISOM)
  • Missions Kairos Course
  • Missions Awareness
  • Living by Faith (ISOM)

26.  Creative Ministry

In this subject the student will be given the opportunity to learn how to minister and evangelize through creative ways like Drama, Miming, Puppets, Clowning and Dramatic Movement.

27.  Discipleship

Jesus’ last words according to the Gospel of Matthew were to go and make disciples of all nations.  In this subject the student will learn basic principles of discipleship.  We will focus on adults and youth discipleship during this course.

28. Dream Interpretation (CLU)

This subject will explain how Christians should hear God speak through their dreams. It will give understanding regarding the interpretation of dreams from a Biblical perspective.

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