The program offered by the In Church Academy consists of sixteen courses. Per year there are eight courses, divided over four blocks. Click on the title of a course to read the description.
First year
An introductory study of our Lord’s life and times according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It examines the historical setting, His life between the Annunciation and the Ascension, and His message and method, including His parables and miracles. Organized around three themes—(1) the world, (2) the Man, and (3) the message— this introduction helps to fuse our understanding of His life and work with our commitment to live by the values He taught and demonstrated.
An introductory course on the principles for interpreting Scripture. It summarizes the need for hermeneutical principles and explores the qualifications, tools, and goals of a biblical interpreter. This is followed by a historical survey of hermeneutics from early Jewish interpreters to the present. The course includes a unit on the general and specific principles for interpreting the Bible, a unit on genres, and a unit on applying the principles. Students develop skills by practicing the principles in the provided exercises.
A thorough study of the content, purposes, principles, and applications of Acts. The course emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in the early church and today. Attention is given to the geographical, numerical, cultural, and theological growth of the church from Jerusalem to Rome. The journeys of Paul are examined as the background for his epistles.
The local church is the provenance of evangelism for reaching its community and the world. After a foundational, biblical theology of the Great Commission and the Holy Spirit’s role in evangelism, this course proposes a comprehensive and integrated approach to evangelism in the local church that avoids overcompartmentalizing evangelism and discipleship. It focuses on a variety of evangelism methods, the evangelistic purpose of an organized fellowship of churches, and pastoral leadership in evangelism. The largest portion of the course is devoted to the evangelistic responsibility of all believers and practical biblical instruction about effective personal evangelism.
An examination of the four cardinal doctrines of the Assemblies of God: salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, healing, and the second coming of Christ. After an introductory unit on the importance of doctrine, there is a unit of study on each of the doctrines. This course is essential to the further understanding of the complete Pentecostal message as presented in other courses.
A practical study of the principles Paul wrote to the churches during his imprisonment. The concepts are presented in language that is easy to understand with explanations, illustrations, and applications that make the concepts helpful to students in both their personal lives and ministries.
A biblical study of end-time events written from a Pentecostal perspective. The course studies the Rapture, plus various views of the Tribulation and the Millennium. It provides excellent material for teaching and preaching on the second coming of Christ.
A biblical approach to the relationships that are important to the minister, both personally and professionally. It looks at temperament theory and its relevance to human relations. This course examines relationships and ethics in view of the minister’s personal growth, ministry challenges, people in the community, and other ministers.
Second year
A study of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with a practical approach that will provide preaching and teaching material. The Pentateuch forms the foundation upon which the New Testament covenant is based and is an essential study for anyone wishing to understand the entire Bible more completely.
An in-depth study of the book of Romans. It focuses on Paul’s systematic explanation of the gospel to the Romans and offers insight into the doctrines of sin, salvation, and sanctification. Students will learn how union with Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit leads to spiritual growth.
An overview of the biblical teaching on prayer and worship leads to practical considerations for cultivating intimacy with Christ in every aspect of life, from personal, private prayer to corporate celebration. Students will discover the joys and benefits of a dynamic prayer life and gain a fresh appreciation for the many ways in which the Holy Spirit makes prayer and worship both meaningful and powerful. An examination of some of the common challenges of prayer, such as learning to hear God’s voice, the problem of unanswered prayer, and what to do when it seems God is not speaking, is followed by practical insight for becoming more effective and fervent prayer warriors.
An introduction to leadership. This course focusses on vision for leadership and personal growth as a leader. Specific topics within this course are the heart of the leader, levels of leadership, fundaments for healthy leadership, the importance of every single day in leadership and making right and responsible decisions as a leader.
A continuation on leadership. This part focusses on the vision for leadership and teamwork. Specific topics within this course are the development of people, to delegate as a leader, serving leadership, building relationships, to work as a team, coaching and how to lead different kind of characters.
A basic study of the principles of Christian preaching. The course emphasizes biblical exposition and deals with practical matters such as the preparation of sermons, the sources of materials, the construction of sermon components, the variety of sermon types, and the delivery of sermons.
A survey course giving the student background for understanding, teaching, and applying the principles of the New Testament. Key facts from each book of the New Testament are highlighted in a manner that can be used in preaching and teaching.
An examination of pastoral ministry in three areas: preparation, responsibilities, and relationships. The unit on preparation focuses on a pastor’s qualifications, devotional life, and personal life. A unit on responsibilities analyzes preaching and teaching, worship, pastoral care, leading, training, forming cell groups, and special services. The final unit examines a pastor’s relationships with layleaders, staff, work, and calling. This is a principle-centered study to lay a lifelong foundation for the pastoral ministry.
