Ministry and Leadership, Master of Arts
Program Distinctives
Reflecting feedback from current students, alumni, and ministry practitioners, an understanding of generational preferences, and a focus on essential vocational ministry outcomes, the Ministry Leadership program offers many unique elements that will benefit potential students:
Biblical and Theological Integration - A Practical Theology Approach at Every Level
At times, the practice of ministry can be disconnected from biblical and theological foundations, resulting in a pragmatic, “what works” approach to ministry and leadership. At other times, one can focus entirely on biblical and theological understanding without consideration of the impact on ministry practice. Building on Bible, theology, and philosophy courses taken at the undergraduate and graduate level, this program seeks to root all aspects of the curriculum in a process of practical theology, connecting biblical and theological foundations with everyday ministry praxis. Utilizing the student’s “In-Ministry” site for extended case study analysis, many of the major course projects will encourage students to apply theological, biblical, and social science foundations to real-life ministry.
Experiential Education - A Hands-On Kinetic Learning Analysis
Whether it's touring historical sites in Israel, hiking the Jesus Trail, connecting with ministry leaders on location in the Chicago area, attending the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit, or teaching a lesson in one’s ministry, students will engage in a variety of creative learning experiences designed to integrate with the program’s academic goals. This pedagogy is particularly attractive to the 23-35 year-olds who are most likely to pursue this degree program.
Intensive Field Experience - An In-Ministry Model
Effectiveness in leadership and ministry is developed through a pairing of scholarly learning with practical experience. Working at least part-time in ministry leadership throughout the program, students will have multiple opportunities to apply the concepts discussed in classes and acquire ministry lessons that can’t be taught in the classroom. This process of feedback, analysis, and personal development will occur under the supervision of an experienced mentor.
Variety of Learning Formats - A Borderless Classroom through Multiple Onsite and Cohort Interactions
The program will combine online learning with face-to-face intensives, benefitting from the best of both learning formats, and will include learning on-location in the Holy Land and Chicago. The cohort-based format will enable us to intentionally build and integrate concepts sequentially while building a strong community of learners.
Tech-Friendly - An Enhanced Approach to Learning
Through the use of research, presentation, and connectivity software (such as Logos, Google+, Skype, Camtasia, Google Docs, and eLearn/Moodle), students will take advantage of the latest in technology to stimulate learning, facilitate community, and assist ministerial and leadership growth.
Intentional Mentoring - A Guided and Supported Development
Mentoring is essential for leadership development and life-long ministry. Students will develop a mentoring relationship with a mature Christian leader for the purposes of spiritual and ministerial growth. They will also develop a ministry support team including peer leaders and mature lay leaders, who will encourage the student and speak into his/her development.
All Inclusive Tuition - Really, Everything!
The one set tuition will cover tuition, Israel trip, Chicago-area ministry visits, books, housing and food for onsite courses, required software, and all other program expenses.
Graduate Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership Program will gain competencies in the areas of:
Biblical Understanding and Interpretation
Graduates will interpret a passage of Scripture based on an in-depth, experiential understanding of biblical cultures, geography, and history, enabling the student to communicate the biblical text with passion, depth, and effectiveness.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Interpretive Article
- Biblical History Presentation
Theological Integration
Graduates will evaluate various theological positions as well as articulating and defending one’s understanding of and positions on foundational areas of Christian theology in relationship to ministry praxis.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Practical Theology Paper
- Theological Foundations Paper
Culture and Ministry
Graduates will construct an integrative, strategic approach toward culturally-directed ministry, based on an analysis of a specific cultural context, and which reflects theological, philosophical, and developmental issues.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Contextual Ministry Analysis and Development Plan
Human Development and Ministry
Graduates will critique and design ministry programs and practices that address the developmental needs of persons at various stages.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Developmental Analysis: Group On-site Case Study and Presentation
Leadership
Graduates will cultivate a healthy ministry team, based on theoretical, biblical and theological foundations, and develop additional leaders who can continue to multiply the process.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Ministry Team Development Paper
- Supervisor Evaluations
Administration
Graduates will design a ministry model for a specific context, integrating theological and philosophical foundations with strategic implementation of ministry praxis, based on research in the primary sources within one’s field.
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Ministry Model Research and Critique
- Ministry Model Design
- Curriculum Development Project
Teaching and Speaking
Graduates will develop and practice a theology and philosophy of preaching and teaching, grounded in underlying theories of education and homiletics, with attention to strategic curriculum development in a ministry organization.
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Philosophy of Christian Learning
- Curriculum Development Project
Mentoring and Discipleship
Graduates will generate a model of mentoring and discipleship, including the development of a training program for adult mentors, rooted in the principles of relational praxis, inter-generational theory, and human growth, supported by an in-depth, experiential understanding.
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Mentoring Relationship and Paper
- Mentoring Plan
- Guided Mentoring Relationship
Calling and Identity
Graduates will cultivate a personal and ministerial growth trajectory through reflection on one’s life, leadership, and ministry in interaction with a mentor, supervisor, ministry peers, and ministry participants.
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Inventory Analysis and Development Papers
- Mentoring Relationship Paper
Spiritual Formation
Graduates will critique and modify the practices of a Christian ministry based on the principles of effective evangelism and spiritual formation.
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Jesus Trail Journal and Reflection Paper
Specializations
Graduates will develop and defend a model of ministry for a particular ministry context, based on an understanding and evaluation of contemporary approaches, principles, and models in an area of specialized ministry, as reflected in the precedent literature.
- Capstone: Applied Research Project
- Capstone: Final Reflection and Development Paper
- Ministry Model Research and Critique
- Ministry Model Design
Important Notes
- No grade lower than C is accepted.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
- A maximum of 6 credit hours may transfer into the program. All transfer coursework must be approved by the program director.
- Students must be approved by the Program Director of the Ministry Leadership Program and the faculty for graduation.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| MML501 | Practical Theology: Theological Reflection on Ministry Praxis | 3 |
| MML502 | Ministry and the Kingdom of God in Theological Perspective | 3 |
| MML503 | Developmental Perspectives on Ministry | 3 |
| MML504 | Developing as a Leader in Ministry | 3 |
| MML601 | Cultivating Healthy and Effective Ministry Teams | 3 |
| MML602 | Strategic Planning for Ministry Effectiveness | 3 |
| MML603 | Facilitating Communities of Learning in Christian Ministries | 3 |
| MML604 | Walking in Their Shoes: Ministry in Context | 3 |
| MML605 | The Theory, Principles, and Practices of Mentoring in Christian Ministry | 3 |
| Study Tour | ||
| MML505 | Biblical History and Culture on Location: Holy Land Study Tour | 3 |
| MML506 | Jesus Trail: Spiritual Formation Through the Eyes of Pilgrimage | 3 |
| Applied Research | ||
| MML606 | Applied Research Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (1.5-Year Plan)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| MML501 | Practical Theology: Theological Reflection on Ministry Praxis | 3 |
| MML502 | Ministry and the Kingdom of God in Theological Perspective | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MML503 | Developmental Perspectives on Ministry | 3 |
| MML602 | Strategic Planning for Ministry Effectiveness | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| MML505 | Biblical History and Culture on Location: Holy Land Study Tour | 3 |
| MML506 | Jesus Trail: Spiritual Formation Through the Eyes of Pilgrimage | 3 |
| MML604 | Walking in Their Shoes: Ministry in Context | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MML601 | Cultivating Healthy and Effective Ministry Teams | 3 |
| MML603 | Facilitating Communities of Learning in Christian Ministries | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MML504 | Developing as a Leader in Ministry | 3 |
| MML605 | The Theory, Principles, and Practices of Mentoring in Christian Ministry | 3 |
| MML606 | Applied Research Seminar | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |