Master of Arts in Church Ministry (MA-CM)

The MA-CM is a professional degree program specifically designed for pastors and ministerial workers who want to upgrade themselves. This program is offered in three modalities: on-campus, cohort-based, and online. The normal duration of the on-campus program is 15 months, plus the time needed to finish prerequisites. It is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) and the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA).

 

Outcomes and Competencies

Outcomes

Competencies
A Committed
Spiritual Leader
  • Demonstrates integrity in words and deeds
  • Possesses an abiding and deep personal relationship with Christ
  • Demonstrates a deep understanding of the theories and principles of church Leadership both in theory and practice
  • Reflects the character of Christ in deportment
  • Provides vision and direction in pastoral leadership
  • Reflects trust, humility, spirituality, and transparency in leadership
  • Develops and trains spiritual leaders for effectiveness and efficiency
A Competent
Discipler and
Pastoral Leader
  • Provides meaningful leadership in church worships
  • Competent pastoral counseling to various groups and age levels
  • Committed to the spiritual growth of church members
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm in mission and evangelism
  • Capable in performing church ordinances and traditions
  • Demonstrates a basic understanding of approaches to discipleship and ability in discipling individuals toward multiplication and maturity of faith in Christ
A Compassionate
Minister/Pastor
  • Provides care of their family and the church members
  • Gives evidence of passionate care by visiting, praying with, and encouraging church members
  • Sensitive to the various needs of church ministry
  • Loves the ministry, the church and the people they lead
  • Provides caring opportunities to revive and reclaim erring and backsliding members
  • Demonstrates appropriate care and empathy toward persons experiencing various crises
A Conscientious
Teacher and Preacher
  • Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the distinctive doctrines of the Adventist church
  • Demonstrates an ability to use the Scriptures effectively in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and evangelism
  • Demonstrates interpretive skills of the Word of God based on sound theology with a solid biblical foundation
  • Exhibits a general understanding of the bible in relation to its authorship, background, history, and messages


Admission Requirements

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a four-point scale) or equivalent.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in English.

Prerequisites

  1. Have a minimum of 72 undergraduate semester hours in religion.
  2. For every year of full-time regular denominational employment as a pastor, teacher or chaplain, two of the 72 semester hours in religion may be waived, up to a total of 10 years (20 semester hours). The employing institution should provide a certified copy of the worker’s service record.

Degree Requirements

  1. Complete 42 semester hours of coursework specified in the curriculum within a maximum of 10 years.
  2. Have a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.75 for graduation.

Credit Load

The maximum credit load is 15 semester hours in a regular semester and 9 semester hours in an intersemester. If the cumulative GPA falls below 2.75, the student will be placed on scholastic probation and limited to 12 semester hours per regular semester or 6 semester hours in the intersemester until the scholastic probation is lifted.

Credit by Transfer

The maximum credits by transfer and the challenge of courses through challenge exams may not exceed 9 semester hours.

Directed Study

A maximum of 3 semester hours of credits may be earned by Directed Study. A student may not use the Directed Study option in place of core requirements without specific ASAC approval.

Curriculum

In order to complete the Master of Arts in Church Ministry program the following 14 courses or their equivalent totaling 42 semester hours must be completed.

Applied Theology Credits
CHMN 545 Dynamic Sermon Design and Delivery 3
CHMN 563 Principles and Procedures of Evangelism 3
CHMN 579 Ministry and Spiritual Life 3
LEAD 510 Biblical Foundations of Leadership and Ethics 3
MSSN 577 Growing Disciples and Mission 3
Total Credits 15

 

Biblical Studies Credits
OTST/NTST 512 Biblical Hermeneutics 3
NTST–Elective 3
OTST–Elective 3
Total Credits 9

 

Theological-Historical Studies Credits
THST 531 Distinctive Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 3
CHIS–Elective 3
THST–Elective 3
Total Credits 9

 

General Elective Credits
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total Credits 3

 

Research and Writing Credits
GSEM 600 Applied Theology Research and Writing 3
Total Credits 3

 

Total Semester Hours 42