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MA in Ministry

Churches and ministries need leaders who have been stretched, tempered, and equipped to meet the challenges of today’s culture.

Our MA in Ministry can meet that need. This degree will help you build on your education and experience, so you can transition to a new career or transform your current one.

Specializations:

  • Christian Education
  • Intercultural Studies
  • Leadership Studies
  • Pastoral Care and Counseling
  • Preaching
  • Worship Studies
  • General Ministry

The MA in Ministry is a 36-hour professional degree that prepares you for service in a congregation or other ministry setting. While you study here, you’ll be working alongside nationally respected theologians, philosophers, and counselors—all of whom have personal and ongoing experiences in all types of ministry. Your core classes will give you the tools you need to interpret and apply the Bible accurately and faithfully. From there, we offer the opportunity to specialize in six different areas, or to tailor your degree to your own ministry by choosing courses from each discipline. Our goal is that you would see how the Gospel intersects with every facet of your ministry.

We’ve designed the MA in Ministry to enrich your relationship with Christ and your understanding of God’s Word, enable you to lead with wisdom and integrity, and equip you to embody Christ in your research. We hope to empower you to do all God is calling you to do and be all that God is asking you to be.

Potential Careers

Specialized staff in a larger church
Vocational or bivocational ministry in a smaller church
Specialized staff in a parachurch ministry

Course List

Some of the classes you'll take while pursuing your...
BI 603
Interpreting the Old Testament
This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of principles and methodology for interpreting Scripture, using both computer-based and print tools along with introductory Hebrew and Greek. The student will gain proficiency in using Logos Bible Software to perform accurate and useful exegesis of the Old and New Testament texts, focusing on Old Testament texts and introduction to Hebrew.
BI 604
Interpreting the New Testament
This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of principles and methodology for interpreting Scripture, using both computer-based and print tools along with introductory Hebrew and Greek. The student will gain proficiency in using Logos Bible Software to perform accurate and useful exegesis of the Old and New Testament texts, focusing on New Testament texts and introduction to Greek.
CH 500 OR CH 801
Understanding the Stone-Campbell Movement and My Own Heritage OR History and Theology of the Stone-Campbell Movement
An introduction to the history and theology of the Stone-Campbell Movement or Restoration Movement, designed primarily for those without a previous Restoration Movement course. Assignments concentrate on implementation of principles; some are specific to whether the student’s congregation is from the Stone-Campbell Movement or another Christian heritage.
OR
History and theology of the movement begun in America in the late 18th century to promote world evangelism by practicing unity in the Church based upon the restoration of biblical authority and of the essential elements of New Testament Christianity. Special attention will be given to understanding and implementing key principles of the movement, to critical points in its development, to ideological differences within it, and to currently developing issues.
CH 600
Christianity Through the Ages
A comprehensive overview of Christianity from its beginning to the present day. The course, which includes discussion of the theological implications of the philosophy of history, introduces students to the church’s history and theology, preparing them to face contemporary concerns in preaching, teaching, and evangelism.
IC 603
Cultural Insights for Effective Ministry and Missions
An introductory study in applied cultural anthropology, this course is designed to provide students with basic anthropological insights and practical applications to increase their effectiveness in understanding the culture(s) of their ministry setting(s) in order to more effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ.
LS 601
Personal Development in Christian Ministry
This course engages students in the ongoing process of shaping the heart and developing Christian character for spiritual leadership. It will promote greater self-awareness through the use of tests or inventories that address temperament, spiritual gifts, and leadership styles.
LS 602
Theology of Leadership for Christian Ministry
This course seeks to help the student develop a Biblical theology of leadership to inform both the theory and the practice of leadership. Primary Biblical themes and metaphors will be explored to see how they impact one’s approach to leadership. Such leadership concepts and competencies as strategic planning, organizing, group process and team development, communication and conflict-resolution skills, and leading through change will be emphasized.
LC 607
Ministry and Leadership Ethics
This course focuses on the ethics of character and behavior, particularly as they relate to the ministry leader and church staff pastor. Attention will be directed toward the theological foundations for ethical behavior, the nature of integrity and faithfulness on the part of a minister, the reality of cultural influences upon ethical standards, and specific commitments and behaviors that constitute ethical conduct within a variety of realms of ministry and church life. Case studies will be presented and considered. The intended outcome for each student is the completion a code of ethics appropriate to that student’s context.
Specialization Courses
Students may choose to focus on one of the following specializations or they may pursue a "General Ministry" track allowing them to choose courses from a variety of areas.

CE Christian Education
IC Intercultural Studies
LS Leadership Studies
COUN Pastoral Care and Counseling
PR Preaching
WS Worship Studies
LS 905
Field Experience Capstone Project
The capstone course is a summative, integrative experience of the entire program, including theological and personal reflection on the practical application of the program’s content in a supervised ministry context.

Faculty

Meet the professionals who will be teaching your classes:
Dr. Don Green
President Emeritus, Professor of Leadership Studies
Dr. Barney Wells
Graduate and Seminary Academic Dean, Associate Professor of Bible and Ministry
Dr. Robert Rea
Professor of Church History/Historical Theology
Dr. Chuck Sackett
Professor of Preaching (Professor-at-Large)
Dr. Dinelle Frankland
Professor of Worship Studies (Professor-at-Large)
Dr. James Estep
Professor of Christian Education (Professor-at-Large)
Dr. Kevin Dell
Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation (Professor-at-Large)

Student Testimonials

Hear from students who've earned a...
  • While I wanted to take seminary classes for some time, I thought it was too late for me. Being in full-time ministry made it too challenging time-wise. I was wrong. This program is flexible and reasonably paced. I am filled and energized by the study, and inspired by the lectures and discussion. It is renewing me spiritually and intellectually and helping me to gain new tools, understanding, and optimism for ministry for years to come.
    — Robyn Priest,MA in Ministry, Class of 2016
  • I had been looking for a way to formally study the Bible and possibly go into ministry. The opportunity to do it so close to home combined with the flexibility of classes offered is a wonderful opportunity for me. For anyone looking to answer God's call on their lives this is a great opportunity. I didn't have to quit my career or even interrupt my busy family life. I am being challenged to grow and this program will equip me to serve Him and make a kingdom difference.
    — Greg Coval,MA in Ministry, Class of 2016
  • This course has been energizing, and the satellite campus provides an enjoyable, convenient location for development in the ministry field. I last attended school when I earned my law degree in 1989, and Lincoln Christian has made re-entry into the world of academia a comfortable experience. My professor, Rob McCord, has provided first-hand, candid insight into the ministry field and has carefully selected the curriculum for this course. I'm gaining a solid understanding of the personality requirements involved in the day-to-day pressures of ministry leadership.
    — Kelly Grimmett,MA in Ministry, Class of 2017
  • I loved that I was able to study at a school so far away in a much more personal manner than just an online program. The intensive weeks are a great way to have face-to-face interaction with professors and fellow students and have real class time without having to move. The program helped to further develop my understanding of worship and gave me great opportunities to research various fields of interest.
    — Sheri Tesar, Worship Minister, Hillcrest Christian Church, McKinney, TX,Master of Arts, Class of 2014
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