She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 Seminary Wives Institute of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Why we believe in this program She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
t Southern Seminary, we recognize the need for God-called ministers wives to be prepared for ministry. We believe that a minister s wife needs to be educated and equipped as she and her husband prepare for service in the churches and beyond. The time a student wife is in the seminary setting with her husband is the perfect time to undertake this training. She has opportunity to network with other wives who are preparing for the place God has for them. She will benefit from her study with faculty wives who can share from their rich experience. The courses in the Seminary Wives Institute (SWI) are designed to give ministers wives biblically based and practically applied teaching. They are taught by our own seminary faculty as well as faculty wives and guest speakers. We are committed to make this institute a vital part of the seminary wife s experience at Southern Seminary.
General Information Classes are offered in 2 six-week terms during the fall semester and 2 six-week terms during the spring semester. Classes meet from 7:00-8:45 p.m. on Thursday nights in the classroom wing of Norton Hall. Child care is provided as space allows at the seminary s child care room in the Honeycutt Center. Applications must be submitted prior to each 12 week semester. Each six week course requires only a $10 registration fee. Textbooks cost approximately $10 per six weeks. Books will be available in the seminary s bookstore. This program is open to all seminary wives of currently enrolled students at Southern or Boyce. No prerequisites are required aside from a high school diploma. Local ministry wives are welcome. The cost to them is $35 per course. Course grades are given on the basis of attendance, participation and performance. Following successful completion of 13 units, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Ministry Studies from Southern Seminary through Boyce College.
Advanced certification will be awarded to students completing 17 or more hours. Detailed course descriptions are posted each semester at our website. First time students register through an online form located at the same link. After initial registration, new students will receive information regarding the Seminary s ecampus registration. All returning students register through Ecampus. Payments for classes should be sent directly to Accounting Services. Classes are filled on a first come basis. Certain class sizes are limited due to class format. Financial aid is available on request. Courses count towards International Mission Board college requirements.
Certificate requirements 6 Week Course equals 1 Unit 12 Week Course equals 2 Units Required Courses Elective Courses Total for Certificate Required Courses Elective Courses Total for Advanced Certificate 10 Units 3 Units 13 Units 10 Units 7 Units 17 Units
Required Courses Discipleship I and II 2 Units Using the small group-setting, these courses encourage growth in Christlikeness through spiritual disciplines. Worship, Bible intake, prayer, serving & stewardship are some of the topics discussed. Leadership Skills I and II 2 Units These courses begin with an emphasis on personal evangelism then explore leadership styles and principles applying these methods to various ministries (i.e. women s, children s, prayer and community). Taught by Mrs. Nora Allison, Mrs. Sharon Beougher and Mrs. Jaye Martin. Essentials I and II 2 Units The core course of our practical curriculum, Essentials deals with God s plan for marriage, calling and priorities, child rearing, budgeting, contentment, preparing for common ministry situations, and much more. Team taught by faculty wives in 2 consecutive six week terms. Old and New Testament Survey 1 Unit This overview course will better enable the seminary wife to understand Scripture. Taught by Dr. T. J. Betts and Dr. Tom Schreiner. Baptist Beliefs 1 Unit Prepare to be introduced to docrinal beliefs of Southern Baptists by our seminary president and deans. SBC I and II 1 Unit Dr. Greg Wills traces the roots of our denomination during the first three weeks of this course. Mrs. Mary Mohler addresses the program and structure of the SBC as well as the resources it provides in SBC II. Family Life Conference 1 Unit Dr. and Mrs. Hershael York teach this Friday PM-Saturday AM conference on our campus. Both the enrolled student wife and her husband are required to attend this event one time. Offered each September.
Complete Listing Courses in bold taught by seminary faculty All elective courses are 6 weeks and equal 1 Unit of Electives (several are detailed on facing page) A Closer Look at NT (B. Cook) A Closer Look at OT (Betts) A Closer Look at Baptist Beliefs (B. Ware) Biblical Parenting (Stinson) Cross Cultural Ministry (D. Martin) Embracing Femininity (M. Mohler/ J. Ware) Great Leaders of Christian History (Brand) History of Christianity Inductive Bible Study (Smith) Introduction to Biblical Counseling (Scott) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Wellum) Lessons in Prayer (Allison/J. Ware) Marriage and Family (York) Mentoring: Sharing a Life to Change a Life (J. Cook) The Ministry of Hospitality (M. Mohler) More Women of Influence (Beougher) Nuts and Bolts of Local Church Ministry (Allen) Playing Hymns (Beougher) Public Speaking for the Minister s Wife (Magnuson) Redeeming the Time (M. Mohler/J. Ware) Special Events Spiritual Health of the Minister s Wife (Whitney) Women of Influence (Orrick) Worldviews (A. Mohler/Coppenger) J-term courses are offered in January for the benefit of extension center students as well as on campus students. SWI Seminar Saturday is offered each March. Multiple one hour seminars are taught by SWI faculty related to pertinent and specific areas of interest. This event is open to women in the community. Cost is $15 including lunch. One elective credit may be earned by completing requirements.
Biblical Parenting: From diapers to diplomas, no matter what stage you are in, this course will give your parenting a focus and a plan. Even if motherhood may be down the road for you, you will be blessed by the preparation you will receive. This course is structured to offer direction and encouragement from God s Word and practical advice for this precious journey and is taught by Mrs. Danna Stinson, mother of five children. Elective Courses A Closer Look at New Testament: The Gospel of Mark: This course will be an exegetical study of the Life of Christ in the Gospel of Mark. The focus will be the biblical text with attention given to how the life of Jesus is relevant and applicable to our lives and ministry in the twenty-first century. Taught by Dr. Bill Cook. Introduction to Biblical Counseling focuses on: (1) what biblical counseling is and what it involves; (2) the role of the counselor in biblical counseling; (3) the place of counseling in the ministry of the local church, with special emphasis on the importance of women counseling women in Titus 2 ministries. Taught by Dr. Stuart Scott. Lessons in Prayer: Using the prayers in Scripture as our tutor and the character of God as our inspiration, we will discover various components of prayer, the characteristics of praying people and strategies for developing our personal prayer lives. Taught by Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Ware. Marriage and Family deals with topics such as how to meet the needs of your husband; how to define your roles; how to nurture your marriage to keep it fresh and growing; and how to become your husband s best friend. Taught by Mrs. Tanya York. Ministry of Hospitality: Join us for this elective as we explore the many methods of practicing hospitality. We will first look at the biblical basis for this often lost art. We will then look at areas specifically related to ministry. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate hospitality and plan a creative event as part of this course. Mrs. Mary Mohler teaches this elective every Spring. Women of Influence: This exciting elective is a study of significant godly women from the past and present. It will encourage students to make practical application for their lives to become women of influence in their own circles. Taught by Mrs. Carol Orrick.
Required courses are in bold face type. All non J-Term courses are six weeks in length. Terms I-II meet consecutively from late August through mid-november. Terms III-IV meet consecutively from late January through late April. Specific dates are available on semester registration forms. A one week break is scheduled in the fall and in the spring. A highlight of the year is the annual Spring Celebration for all SWI students. It is held on the Thursday night following the final spring class. J-term classes meet all day during early January. Specific J Term dates are published by mid-november. A weekday morning section of one elective course or a small group for Discipleship I-II (fall only) may be offered each term. Tentative AM classes for the first year of the current schedule are marked with an *. A minimum number of students must commit to take the course for it to be offered. Students may take both a Wednesday morning class and a Thursday night class simultaneously, if desired. Very limited childcare will be available for AM classes. We suggest you attempt to plan your course selection for the next three years so you will be sure to complete the required courses and be able to choose your electives accordingly. The schedule is subject to change as new courses are added.
Seminary Wives Institute the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary For more information, please contact: Mrs. Mary K. Mohler, Director Seminary Wives Institute 2825 Lexington Road, Campus Box 80-244 Louisville, KY 40280 Office: Norton 121 Voice Mail: 502.897.4816 On the Web: http://www.sbts.edu/swi E-mail Inquiries: swi@sbts.edu