CFM 563. The Church and Outdoor Ministry. Studying the mission and nature of the Church and how the temporary system can be utilized to impact renewal and development in the Church. Overview of the historical and theological expressions of the church. Special emphasis is placed on the church/parachurch dynamic. Students will apply learning to the development, leading, support, and evaluation of short-term retreat experiences for a variety of churches and groups. (4)
CFM 564. Adventure Challenge Education. An introduction to the principles and practices of experiential education. This course applies theories and principles of leadership, spiritual development and experiential education to adventure challenge programs utilizing ropes courses, team initiatives, climbing, and other outdoor adventure activities. Students will apply learning by developing, leading and evaluating short term (1/2-day to 3-day) adventure education experiences for a variety of groups. Coursework is to be integrated with practical experience and will conclude with a creative project.
CFM 662. Theology and Practice of Outdoor Ministry. This course is the foundational overview of the Outdoor Adventure Leadership Concentration of the Wheaton Graduate School. It is designed to equip students personally, spiritually and communally for a life of leadership and ministry in outdoor related ministries by helping students to develop personal vision, ministry skills, interpersonal competence, and a ministry philosophy.
This course explores the educational principles and theological perspectives foundational to transformational outdoor ministry. Various approaches and program planning models of outdoor ministry will be discussed. Special emphasis placed on application of these theories and principles to the practice of camp ministry including application cross-cultural ministry settings. (4)
CFM 663. Leadership Development in Outdoor Ministry. The outdoor and adventure ministry context is an excellent laboratory for equipping leaders for the church and society worldwide. This course is designed to help students develop principles and competencies to enhance their own leadership practice and to cultivate an approach to ministry that facilitates leadership development in those who serve and are served in the adventure ministry setting. The course will explore the integration of personal leadership, vision, and understanding as well as facilitating change in organizations and groups. (4)
CFM 664. Wilderness Programming and Leadership. This course emphasizes the uniqueness of the wilderness classroom and teaches students to utilize extensive wilderness expeditions to draw others to Christ and develop them into whole and effective people. The course covers program models and planning processes, various outdoor and leadership skills needed for wilderness ministry, and how God uses silence, creation, and group problem-solving to develop disciples. It is offered almost entirely in the wilderness classroom and as an extended expedition during multiple times and at multiple sites each year. (4)
Optional courses currently under development:
CFM 694. Non-profit Organizational Finance and Management. This course will orient students to the business side of non-profit leadership. Students will learn foundational principles of finance, marketing, human resources, fundraising, and organizational systems management. Students will gain hands on experience in each of these areas as part of their coursework. (4)
CFM 694. Adventure-based College Orientation Programs. This course will orient students to the growing movement of using outdoor and adventure-based programming to transition students to college. Students will gain exposure to the theories and research on facilitating healthy adaptation to college. The principles of this course will be directly applied to a leadership role in Wheaton Passage, HoneyRock adventure-based programming for incoming Wheaton students. (2)