Christlike Communication
Equipping Students for Impactful Ministry
A standout feature of our Bachelor of Theology curriculum is its integration of modular themes that are both interconnected and holistic. This approach weaves together foundational elements, culminating in a comprehensive integrative project that solidifies the learning experience. The holistic nature of the curriculum ensures that students develop not just intellectually but also spiritually, emotionally, and practically, fostering growth across multiple dimensions.
Among these vital modules is the Communication module, which is currently being offered to first- and second-year students. This module is designed to nurture a respectful attitude toward others (affective domain), deepen understanding of listening and communication principles (cognitive domain), and enable the practical application of these principles in effective communication at both interpersonal and corporate levels (behavioral domain).
The module starts with the Art of Communication unit, taught by Abed El Kareem Zein El Dien, the module leader. This course aims to deepen understanding of human communication, emphasizing its centrality to church ministry, particularly in our diverse multicultural contexts. Grounded in the mission of sharing the Gospel, it equips students to cultivate respect for others, grasp principles of listening and communication, and apply these skills effectively at both personal and communal levels for faithful and impactful ministry. In describing this course, Abed El Kareem shared:
Applying communication principles in teaching, discipleship, and preaching enhances ministry impact. This course encourages students to self-reflect and develop communication skills to target different audiences. Students are encouraged to practice discernment, ensuring that all communication is rooted in truth and wisdom. Clear communication promotes reconciliation, unity, and growth, highlighting emotional sensitivity, cultural awareness, and practical application. After completing all the courses, I hope students will apply these principles both within and outside the church, serving as a strong testimony, especially to their communities.
Abed El Kareem Zein El Dien
This course is then followed by the Introduction to Public Speaking unit, taught by Bassem Melki. Effective communication is vital for Christian leadership, whether delivering sermons, sharing testimonies, reading Scripture, or introducing others. This unit equips leaders with foundational principles of public speaking, focusing on clarity, engagement, and organization across diverse ministry contexts. Bassem explained:
This course prepares students to communicate clearly and with emotional impact. It covers essential public speaking aspects, including organizing thoughts, vocal techniques, and non-verbal communication skills. Students are taught to be sensitive to their audience's needs and responses, creating a receptive environment. Practical application is emphasized, with students practicing in real-world settings and receiving constructive feedback, encouraging humility and adaptability. The focus on life-changing communication highlights how the gospel can transform lives when shared effectively.
Bassem Melki
One of the students, Jalal, shared:
The most exciting aspect of the Public Speaking course was how it enhanced my ability to connect with others, providing valuable insights into public speaking, audience engagement, and communication styles. Combined with courses on evangelism and teaching, it has significantly enriched my ministry and daily life.
Afterwards, the students take the Introduction to People Helping unit, taught by Grace Al-Zoghbi. This unit equips students with essential principles and therapeutic communication skills for effective helping relationships. It integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering proficiency in key skills relevant to contexts such as pastoral counseling and daily interactions within family and community settings. The unit also explores theological themes like grace, forgiveness, and hope, emphasizing their role in nurturing meaningful and transformative relationships. Students gain a foundation for applying basic helping skills in diverse contexts with confidence and compassion.
In this unit, students reflect on their journeys, understanding how their experiences shape their ability to care for others. Through their personal testimonies and interactions with others, they recognize their strengths and capacities for pastoral care. A crucial lesson learned is the integration of theory and lived experience, demonstrating that effective ministry requires not only knowledge but also emotional and spiritual growth.
Grace Al-Zoghbi
Ibrahim, one of the students, reflected:
The Introduction to People Helping course was inspiring. I learned practical ways to understand others' needs and offer support with empathy and grace. The real-life examples helped me explore different situations and how to respond with a spirit of service. This module equipped me with valuable tools for future ministry.
Students take the Art of Teaching unit next, taught by George Sleiman. This unit is of utmost importance for the future life and ministry of students as it gives essential tools for addressing the need for life-changing learning, and hence for providing possible guidelines for improving the teaching/learning dynamic in the church. This course is of the utmost importance for your future life and ministry as it gives essential tools for addressing the need for life-changing learning, and hence for providing possible guidelines for improving the teaching/learning dynamic in the church.
George explained that this course addresses the church’s critical task of equipping disciples. It shifts from traditional information transfer to methods that foster transformative education, offering practical guidelines to improve teaching dynamics within the church. Students learn to understand different learning styles, create objectives for diverse audiences, and evaluate teaching materials and outcomes. The unit emphasizes becoming more like Christ in teaching. A key highlight is the reflective process, where students share feedback and take a final exam to assess their learning. This fosters growth as they shift from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered approach. Teaching is viewed as a dynamic interaction, not just lecturing.
George Sleiman
George commented:
The biggest challenge is practicing what I preach. As I teach about teaching, students observe whether I apply my methods or not, urging me to continually reevaluate, learn, and adjust to improve my approach.
Bushra, one of the students, shared:
This course has been crucial for my ministry. It enhanced my understanding that teaching transcends mere speech. It involves a deep commitment to uphold standards that reflect faithfulness to God, shifting the focus from the teacher to God's calling.
The last unit in the module is the Art of Evangelism unit, taught by Chelsea Hurlburt. As it was in the New Testament, an essential element of the mission of the Church is the proclamation of the Kingdom of God through and in Jesus Christ. While cosmic in scope, this announcement also describes that personal salvation is available exclusively through Jesus to all who believe. Winsome communication of this Good News is the joyful privilege and responsibility of every disciple. This unit equips students to effectively share their faith in the context of the Arab world through a fresh, biblical exploration of the Gospel, conversion, and evangelism. The course broadens students' understanding of evangelism and sparks a passion for it. Chelsea remarked:
Teaching this course reinforced my passion for evangelism. It highlighted the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit to recognize daily opportunities to share the gospel and adapt our approach to meet each person’s needs.
Charbel, a student, shared:
Through this module, I have learned effective methods of evangelism and preaching that emphasize the importance of listening and genuinely connecting with others while sharing the gospel. These approaches have proven to be valuable in reaching more people and bringing more souls to Christ.
The module culminates with an Integrative Project. This project reinforces what students have learned in the various units and helps them cultivate a well-rounded approach to communication, allowing them to make connections between the different units of the module. This ultimately helps them to become much more effective in communication and in ministry.
We invite you to join us in prayer for our students as they complete this module. Pray that they grow in Christlikeness, deepen in maturity, and develop the skills needed for impactful ministry, so they may transform the lives of those they serve and bring glory to God.