Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership

Youth and Family Ministry Track

Online

• The In-Ministry Track allows students to complete this program through a combination of online courses (40 credits) and 5 weeklong visits to campus (20 credits)

• Spiritual formation 6

  • SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others 2 The theological and practical dynamics of evangelical spirituality will be examined to provide a solid foundation for rich fellowship with the Triune God and for living out of the Great Commandment. The nature of spiritual maturity will be examined (including a biblically-balanced model of priorities) and practical experiences for nurturing that maturity will be provided. 2 credits.
  • SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines 2 Growing more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions can be nurtured through the spiritual disciplines taught by Scripture and practiced by believers throughout the ages. You will learn, from an evangelical perspective, the contribution each activity can make to your spiritual growth and how to enhance your actual practice of these holy habits. Extended attention will be given to developing a biblical understanding and practice of prayer. 2 credits.
  • SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity 2 The ability to discern right from wrongand to act appropriately in light of that assessmentis essential if church leaders are to maintain and model ethical integrity. Your moral sensitivity will be enhanced as you become acquainted with some of the fundamental issues involved in developing a biblically-informed personal, professional and social ethic. 2 credits.

• Biblical studies 16

  • DBS 506 Learning to Interpret Scripture 4 In this course you will study the foundational principles and interpretive procedures of the grammatico-historical method of biblical interpretation. You will also apply these principles and procedures in actual Bible study, using the English Bible. Required during the first year of M.A. or M.Div. studies. 4 credits.
  • BLS 501 Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon 4 This initial course in biblical literature lays a foundation for the further study of the Bible by introducing the biblical covenants and God's kingdom program. Our examination of the Pentateuch will focus on the great attributes of God. The historical books will show how God works among His people. We will conclude with a consideration of the practical lessons found in the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 502 Interpreting the Prophets and Gospels 4 In this course you will learn the historical background of each of the prophets and become acquainted with their distinctive contribution and modern relevance. After examining the prophecies concerning the Messiah, you will see how they are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our focus in the Gospels will be on Matthew and John. You will study Jesus' teachings, miracles, and parables with consideration given to present day application. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • BLS 503 Interpreting Acts to Revelation 4 Our focus in the early part of the course will be on the beginnings of the church. As we trace Paul's life, we will study his letters in the order in which they were written, giving attention to the historical and cultural settings. Special focus will be given to Paul's great teachings on salvation, justification, and sanctification. Our attention will then turn to the subject of eschatology as we examine the General Epistles and Revelation. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.

• Theological studies 10

  • THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I 4 You will begin to cultivate your ability to think theologically by exploring how theology is done in various approaches in order to develop a practical theological method. Then you will probe God's progressive revelation focusing on the nature and authority of Scripture before pondering God's triune nature and work culminating in the incarnation of the Son. Your passion for carrying out God's mission in His world will expand as you begin to understand how the Father's revelation has impacted the world He created. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 502 Glorifying the God of Our Salvation: Theology II 4 Continuing the process of learning to think theologically you will now apply yourself to biblical revelation regarding the Son as the source of life. You will investigate humanity, its dignity as image of God and its depravity as sinful beings, the reality and impact of spiritual beings as backdrop for the atoning work of the Son and its application in the aspects of our salvation. Contemplating the majesty of the Son's work in light of the depth of sin will invigorate our worship and impel our work for His kingdom. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 4 credits.
  • THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III 2 You will culminate the process of learning to think theologically by exploring the Spirit's life-giving work. Then you will investigate the church as God's covenant community and instrument of His present working, ending with the consummation of His kingdom program in end time events. Throughout the course the Spirit will transform us as we see our part in His grand work. Prerequisite: THS 501. Recommended pre- or co-requisite: DBS 506. 2 credits.

• Ministry and leadership studies 26

  Core Studies Required: 12

  • DIS 501 Communicating Christ in Culture 2 Ministry is communication. The content must be known and experienced so the proclamation will have substance and credibility. After learning what we are to communicate, we must learn how to communicate. The course imparts fundamental concepts that will equip the student to communicate across personal and cultural barriers. 2 credits.
  • DMS 501 Thinking Theologically about Ministry Leadership 2 Ministry is built upon sound biblical, theological and cultural foundations. Each generation of the Church must understand and build on these foundations, as well as discover relevant contemporary innovations and applications. This course intends to help you integrate an understanding of the Word and the world with the development of a personal philosophy of ministry. 2 credits.
  • • DMS 506 Developing Godly Leadership for the 21st Century 2 A core leadership course designed for those who intend to be future leaders of the church. This course will move from definitions to the core values of a leader; how to take ministry through a vision process, engage in strategic planning, decision-making, and implementation, build great teams, work through conflict and change, delegate tasks, and effectively mentor the next generation of leaders. Models from the corporate, political, and military worlds will be compared and contrasted with the biblical definitions and illustrations of leadership. 2 credits.
    or
    • PCW 513 Women in Leadership 2 In this course students explore four essential components of being a Christian woman in leadership: call, character, craft, and competencies. Concerning the call of a woman in leadership, attention is given to understanding and valuing what motivates a person to lead. Students learn how to define and develop Christlike character and integrity of heart in private and public arenas. The art of leadership is examined, including cycles, styles, and gender issues. The many facets of being a change agent, communicator, and mentor are investigated, and insights are gained from biblical and historical examples of women in leadership. 2 credits.
  • EMS 505 Growing Disciples Intentionally 2 Christ commands His children to love God, love people and make disciples (Matt 22:37-40, 28:16- 20). This course will examine the role of the local church and para-church organizations in facilitating, guiding, and nurturing the spiritual growth of believers from infancy through the end of life. The teaching/learning process will be evaluated primarily in terms of intentional growth outcomes in the lives of Christians at all levels of spiritual maturity. 2 credits.
  • PTS 504 Maximizing the Church's Redemptive Influence 2 This course gives attention to the essential nature and vocation of the Church as God's called people. Students are challenged to rethink the mission of the Church, moving beyond traditional assumptions, and relating the mission to a modern/post-modern context. Focus will be given to countering pluralism and the new paganism, determining a biblical strategy for accomplishing the mission, developing a social conscience, putting together a global approach to ministry, and creating the structures for achieving redemptive influence. 2 credits.
  • PTS 505 Providing Leadership in Ministry 2 This course builds on the principles of DMS 506 and applies them to the local church. The aim is to prepare pastors to be the leaders God intends for His church. Specific issues treated include pastoral self-leadership; building a leadership team; creating a healthy staff-board relationship; leading a congregation through change, crises and conflict, and the dynamics that come with growth; effective management of resourcesfrom volunteers to staff development to budgeting and expenditures; and leading the church into the future. 2 credits.

  Youth and family ministry required: 8

  • MFM 500 Discovering and Developing Your Ministry Potential 2 This personal assessment course uses a wide variety of tools that will enable you to gain greater insight into how your gifting, personality, passion, and background might best be matched with potential ministry opportunities. Substantial attention will also be given on how to gain maximum profit from formal and informal ministry training. An additional materials fee will be charged. This course should be taken during your first term of studies. 2 credits.
  • YMS 502 Developing a Theological Model for 21st Century Youth Ministry 2 The historical, philosophical, and theological underpinnings of youth ministry will first be introduced. Then popular models of contemporary youth ministry (both congregational and para-congregational) will be described and evaluated. 2 credits.
  • MFM 501-4 Mentored Field Ministry 1+1+1+1 This course is designed to help students gain greater confidence and competence in the actual practice of those ministry skills that will be needed in the student's anticipated ministry role. Mentoring is provided through both individual meetings with an experienced practitioner and peer ministry reflection groups. Current involvement in field ministry is a prerequisite for enrollment. Students should plan on taking one unit of this course over four different terms to enable sufficient breadth of ministry experience and personal mentoring. Prerequisite: MFM 500. 1 credit for each of four semesters.

  Youth and family restricted electives: Select 6 credits from the courses below, or related electives with advisor approval. 6

  • FMS 501 Family Ministry in the Church 2 This course will focus on ministry to the contemporary family in and through the church. The role that the church should play in family assimilation will be discussed including the current types of family dysfunction. A solid basis in the theology of family ministry will be examined. Types of ministry best suited to various periods in family life development will be emphasized. 2 credits.
  • FMS 503 Building the Pastoral Team 2 This course will explore the concept of the pastoral team including how it is formed, the dynamics of effective team service, and dealing with conflicts. The church as a system and expectations and roles of every one involved in the context of the church pastoral team will be investigated. 2 credits.
  • YMS 501 Understanding Adolescent Development 1 The cognitive, social, moral, and emotional development of adolescents will be explored. Particular emphasis will be given to the tasks, challenges, and crises during adolescence that are relevant to youth ministry, including the implications for the development of faith during the teenage years. 1 credit.
  • YMS 503 Managing Youth Ministry 2 Specific competencies for leadership and management of youth ministry will be imparted, including the tasks of organizing, equipping, training, program assessment, staff relationships and personnel evaluation. Specific emphasis will be given to developing a growing and multiplying ministry. 2 credits.
  • YMS 504 Communicating to Youth 1 You will develop skill in listening to youth, reading youth culture, and analyzing current contexts of the adolescent experience. This will impart the competencies needed for relating to, speaking to, and entering into the world of a young person with the gospel of Jesus. 1 credit.
  • YMS 505 Issues for 21st Century Youth Ministry 1 You will gain proficiency in engaging contemporary youth issues from a biblical perspective, e.g., sexuality, poverty, globalization, internet, media, multi-culturalism, etc. 1 credit.
  • YMS 506 Spiritual Formation of Youth 1 You will gain insight into effective nurturing of an adolescent's spiritual life through mentoring, spiritual direction, discipleship, and shepherding. You will also gain greater insight into the emergence of adolescent spiritual maturity. 1 credit.
  • CNS 546 Adolescent Counseling 1 This course examines and synthesizes adolescent growth and developmental stages, examines normal and abnormal adolescent behaviors, identifies common adolescent problems/symptoms, and presents counseling techniques and skills resulting in the ability to successfully work with adolescent populations. 1 credit.

• Open Electives 2

Total Credits 60