Minor Programs
- Camping
- Elementary Education
- Family Counseling
- General Ministries
- Missions
- Music
- Pastoral Studies
- Youth Ministries
Bible/Camping
The demand exceeds the supply. The need for qualified, capable camp leadership far exceeds the supply of competent, trained workers. Camping programs across the United States need more than half a million camp staff annually to function properly. Christian camps form a vast and growing subset of this number.
Recognizing this need and utilizing the campus facilities of Alpine Ministries-an extension ministry of the College that includes Bible camps, retreats, whitewater rafting, climbing and rappelling, caving, backpacking, ropes courses, initiatives, etc.-Appalachian Bible College has developed a unique experience-oriented training program.
Blending the cognitive components from the classroom with practical hands-on application, provides an optimal learning laboratory in a real-life setting. Actual experience in counseling and all other camp staff positions is featured in this program, plus practical skill development.
The Bible-Camping Minor program is designed to enable graduates to serve in Christian Camping or in a local church Youth Ministry role. Specifically graduates are trained to:
- Plan, develop, and supervise a local church camping program
- Articulate and implement a distinctively Christian philosophy of camping
- Be a camp administrator.
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 52 hours of Bible/Theology/Practical Theology
- 39 hours of General Education
- 38 hours of a Minor Program plus electives
Requirements (129 Hours)
See Bible/Camping Checksheet for Details
Bible/Elementary Education
"A teacher affects eternity; no one can tell where his influence stops," wrote Henry Adams. It is this recognition of the eternal destiny of a soul that makes a Christian teacher different from a non-Christian teacher. Truly the education of future generations is a demanding and awesome responsibility. It is a great opportunity to help parents mold and shape the lives of children for the glory of God.
The Bible-Elementary Education program at Appalachian Bible College is built upon a Heart-Head-Hands Conceptual Framework whereby candidates are trained to serve with excellence in an elementary Christan school classroom. A teacher's heart must develop spiritual and emotional stability and maturity in order to direct children lovingly and responsibly. A teacher's head must be prepared through a carefully-sequenced study of Bible and Theology, general studies, and professional studies in order to teach confidently and creatively. A teacher's hands must gain experience in putting theory into practice in order to serve skillfully and effectively.
Graduates of this program are eligible for certification by the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
This minor has approved program status with the West Virginia Department of Education for the certification of teachers. A dual-certification track is available, which qualifies graduates for both Christian and state certification.
Questions should be directed to the Vice President for Academics or the Bible-Elementary Education Coordinator.
This program is designed to prepare graduates for Christian school ministry. In addition, the Bible-Elementary Education program fulfills the objectives of the Bible/Theology and General Education Departments and enable students to:
- Articulate and implement a Christian philosophy of education;
- Teach the Bible and elementary school subjects (K-6);
- Properly organize and manage a Christian school classroom;
- Display godly character as servant-leaders;
- Employ appropriate materials, strategies, and technologies to ensure that all students learn.
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 44 hours of Bible/Theology/Practical Theology
- 47 hours of General Education
- 63 hours of a Minor Program
Requirements (154 Hours)
See Bible/Elementary Education Checksheet for Details
Bible/Family Counseling
The world is filled with hurting people of all ages and levels of society who need competent Christian counseling...
There is the child who has been abused or who has suffered broken parental relationships;
There is the teen fighting peer pressure and the young person with serious questions about God's will for his life;
There is the couple on the verge of a heart-breaking divorce and parents struggling with a rebellious daughter who is abusing drugs;
There is the senior citizen who is alone and facing life in a convalescent home;
There is the missionary forced to leave the field, unable to adjust and handle the pressures;
There is the Christian worker on the brink of burnout, not knowing where to turn;
There is the widow engulfed in depression trying to "make ends meet;" and on and on it goes.
The Bible-Family Counseling program is designed to provide a biblical foundation and Scriptural principles for any situation. It also features classes that help students develop insight and ability to analyze circumstances and situations. Counseling and Practicum courses help provide students with practical techniques and problem-solving ideologies.
This program helps equip graduates for a family counseling ministry in the local church or church-related agency, e.g. mission organization or children's homes, and/or provide the foundation for a graduate program in Christian counseling.
This program is not designed to train Christian psychologists or social workers. This program will primarily equip Bible-centered "people helpers" who can capably teach the Bible and administer effective counseling skills.
In addition to the above, the Bible-Family Counseling program fulfills the objectives of the Bible/Theology and General Studies Departments enabling graduates to serve in local church Christian Education rolls as well as:
- Articulate and implement a distinctively biblical philosophy of counseling;
- Disciple individual believers into positive spiritual growth;
- Guide individuals/families through crisis experiences.
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 58 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
- 49 hours of General Education
- 20 hours of a Minor Program plus electives
Requirements (127 Hours)
See Bible/Family Counseling Checksheet for Details
Bible/General Ministries
Appalachian Bible College, from inception, has been preparing men and women for full-time vocational ministry. Throughout ABC's history, training servants for ministry has been the pulse of the educational and practical preparation process.
The purpose of the General Ministries Minor is in keeping with ABC's mission of preparing men and women for ministry in the local church, and maintains the current emphasis in biblical and theological studies. It will provide a 4-year degree program for students who do not desire one of the current minor programs, who are unable to complete one of the other minor programs or who would like to have a variety of classes dealing with more than one minor.
The General Ministries Minor Program is designed like all the other minor programs, with the same number of Bible and Theology courses, the same number of General Education courses, and the same number of Professional Studies courses. The only difference is that instead of minoring in one of the other seven minor programs currently in place, students will be able to choose courses from any of those minor programs (prerequisites permitting).
Upon completion of the Minor Program in General Ministries, graduates should:
- Have a solid biblical foundation
- Be capable of making practical application of biblical truth to their personal lives
- Be able to serve effectively in a variety of church and church-related ministries
- Have a broad foundation that enhances understanding of people and the world/culture in which they live
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 57 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
- 51 hours of General Education
- 18 hours of a Minor Program
Requirements (126 Hours)
See Bible/General Ministries Checksheet for Details
Bible/Missions
The Missions program of Appalachian Bible College seeks to reflect the missionary spirit and vision of the New Testament. For almost sixty years, ABC graduates have served in home and foreign mission capacities around the globe. By God's grace, this will continue.
The Bible-Missions program philosophy centers on church planting with a view to train nationals to do the work of ministry. We believe this is the New Testament model. Our goal is to prepare heads, hearts, and hands for the task.
There are three areas of concentration in our program. The Missions-Language concentration includes learning a second language. This program is flexible enough to allow a student to concentrate on Greek or Hebrew in order to prepare for a ministry of Bible translation and teaching. The Missions-Internship concentration requires and eight week, cross-cultural internship. This allows the student to spend extended time on a field in a mentor relationship with an experienced missionary.
The Missions-Nursing concentration prepares a candidate for medical missions. It is a demanding plan that involves interaction between ABC and Mountain State University (located here in Beckley). This plan allows the student to grow a heart for missions as well as have hands trained in the healing arts. Those finishing this program will earn a BA from ABC and can become a Registered Nurse (BS) from MSU.
Our three Missions concentrations fulfill the objectives of the Bible/Theology and General Education Departments and enable students to do the following:
- Develop a general philosophy of mission using Acts a both a manual and model.
- Develop a specific philosophy of church planting using Acts as both a manual and model
- Appreciate the diversities of cultural behavior and thought.
- Appreciate how the student's culture influences his/her understanding of other cultures
- Enable adjustment and functioning as a spiritual leader in multi-cultural contexts.
- Understand and respond to major world religions with a Christian apologetic.
- Develop skills for communicating a vision for missions to individuals and local churches.
- Develop cross-cultural linguistic and homiletical/educational skills.
- Implement missions techniques and procedures in actual mission situations.
- Develop skills for strengthening relationships between churches and mission agencies
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 57 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
- 38 hours of General Education
- 34 hours of a Minor Program
Note: These numbers do not reflect the Bible/Missions: Nursing Program
Requirements (129 Hours)
The Bible/Missions Minor has 3 Concentrations:
- Bible/Missions: Language
- Bible/Missions: Internship
- Bible/Missions: Nursing (Collaborative Program with Mountain State University – 5 ½ year program), which also includes earning a second Bachelors Degree, a B.S. Degree in Nursing from MSU.
Bible/Music
Martin Luther, the great German reformer, wrote that, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in this world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits."
At Appalachian Bible College, we agree that music is a gift from God and should be used to serve and worship Him. There is a genuine demand in conservative churches today for leaders who know their Bible and want to communicate biblical truths through quality Christian music.
Historically, graduates of the Bible-Music program have served as ministers of music, choir directors, music teachers, conductors, instrumentalists, and vocalists.
This program equips students to conduct ministries in sacred music in the local church, with proficiencies in choral conducting, keyboard, instrumental, or vocal performance. In addition, this program fulfills the objectives of the Bible/Theology major, and objectives of the General Education Department and enables students to:
- Demonstrate specialized musical knowledge and skills necessary for an effective church music ministry
- Formulate and articulate a biblical philosophy of music ministry for the local church
- Organize and administrate church music programs for children, youth and adults
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 52 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
- 33 hours of General Education
- 41 hours of a Minor Program
Requirements (126 Hours)
Bible/Music Minor has 4 Concentrations:
Bible/Pastoral
God's servants are to be equipped to "rightly divide the Word of Truth." With this focus in mind, the Bible-Pastoral Studies program is designed to prepare men to competently and effectively serve in a pastor/teacher role.
In a day of celebrity Christianity, Appalachian Bible College seeks to lay a foundation of servanthood in the hearts and minds of its pastoral candidates.
Standing as a shepherd in the midst of God's sheep is an honor that carries great responsibility. Yet, what could be more exciting and rewarding than leading men, women, boys and girls to the Savior, and then bringing them to fruitfulness and maturity!
Occupying the office of Pastor/Teacher demands quality, intensive training and the development of important practical skills. There are two options in the Pastoral Studies program: English Bible and New Testament Greek.
The Bible-Pastoral Studies program is designed to prepare men to competently and effectively serve the local church as a pastor or member of the pastoral staff. Students will be able to:
- Understand and uphold Biblical doc1. trines related to the function of the New Testament local church
- Study and proclaim God's Word effectively as a preacher, a teacher, and a counselor;
- Officiate and conduct church business and worship services
- Perform pastoral ministries related to the church ordinances, and other professional services commonly associated with the role of pastors
- Be both professional and personable in approach to the congregation and community;
- Participate in Gospel evangelism
- Promote independent, fundamental church missions at home and around the world.
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 52 hours of Bible/Theology/Practical Theology
- 44 hours of General Education
- 32 or 34 hours of a Minor Program
Requirements (128-130 Hours)
Bible/Music Minor has 2 Concentrations:
Bible/Youth Ministry
Children become teenagers, teenagers become adults, adults begin families and so continues the process... Most do so without personal salvation or the stabilizing influence of the Word of God. What would happen if these children and teenagers were reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Many teens have never heard the saving message of Jesus Christ either at home in the United States or in mission fields around the world. Even those in our own churches often fail to grasp eternal truths because of personal rebellion or maybe even because they have untrained, incapable leadership to guide them through the struggles of the teen years.
Contrary to what some may believe, many are open to the Word and to the Lord. Adolescence is a time of serious questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What can I do? Where am I going? These questions can capably be addressed by a graduate of the Bible-Youth Ministries program.
Graduates of this program are prepared to serve within the local church as Youth Directors, Children's Ministries Directors, Directors of Christian Education or in a church-related agency working with inner-city youth, missionary youth outreaches and more.
In addition to the above, the Bible-Youth Ministries program fulfills the objectives of the Bible/Theology major and General Education Departments enabling graduates to serve in local church Christian Education/Youth Ministries roles as well as:
- Articulate and develop a biblical and need-oriented philosophy
- Effectively teach the Bible and related subjects to a wide range of learners utilizing a variety of appropriate teaching methods
- Communicate a Biblical world view to the present generation of youth
- Encourage unity within youth/family ministry and the local church family;
- Propagate the Biblical model of discipleship and mentoring in the local church.
Curriculum
Curriculum has:
- 52 hours of Bible/Theology & Practical Theology
- 48 hours of General Education
- 26 hours of a Minor Program
