MACL

Program Overview

Learn to lead. The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership will teach you how to develop a team, deal with conflict, better understand your personal strengths and weaknesses, achieve resolution and communicate effectively. Whether you’re interested in leading a congregation, youth, workplace team or church/para-church staff, you’ll benefit from the exposure to theories of leadership in the classroom and hands-on training in the context of ministry.

Program Distinctives

• Quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training
• Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
• Convenient, economical and innovative adult education system
• Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
• Access to library resources and classes at other top-tier institutions through the Carolina Theological Consortium and the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium

Typical Student

M.A. in Christian Leadership students showcase strong leadership abilities and are looking to utilize their skills in ministry. Many are full-time pastors, bi-vocational pastors or non-ordained staff seeking to increase their ministry effectiveness in the church, workplace or other vocations.

Potential Careers

• Campus ministry
• Marketplace leadership
• Missions
• Broad range of ministry
• Para-church ministry

Degree Goals

• To understand the basic content and themes of the Old and New Testaments in their historical and cultural settings as well as the historical and theological dimensions of the Christian faith
• To be exposed to a rigorous study and practice of theology in its various disciplines through diverse faculty voices
• To demonstrate integration through a cumulative educational experience that embraces both academic preparation and life experiences
• To foster passionate commitment to leadership and self-understanding in context of a ministry community
• To foster love for God and his Word and therefore to cultivate the practices of spiritual maturity and Christ-like character, and to understand the Christian’s ethical responsibility in church and society
• To demonstrate an awareness of national, racial, ethnic and cultural factors that impinge upon the teaching and modeling of biblical truth, and to develop the capacity for a critical evaluation of important cultural changes
• To develop a global vision for the Christian church

Spotlight Alum

Gordon-Conwell reshaped the way I see the Scriptures. From sitting under the teaching of premier biblical scholars, to being able to study abroad in Israel with fellow seminarians, the Scriptures were transformed from black and white into color. I will always be so grateful to God for leading me to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary—Charlotte.”

Rob Kelly, MACL ‘09
Missional Outreach Pastor, Carmel Baptist Church | Matthews, N.C.