MAUML

Program Overview

Are you seeking to learn how to navigate the urban church or city environment? The Master of Arts in Urban Ministry Leadership will help you develop new ministry resources and empower others to overcome the urban realities through ministry. You will learn how to assess, engage and integrate an in-depth understanding of the challenges of ministry in a complex, diverse and dynamic urban context. The M.A. in Urban Ministry Leadership will provide you with biblical and theological foundations to help you to transform your thinking as a practical theologian and practitioner.

Program Distinctives

• Concentrations:
  • Children, Youth & Families
  • Church & Leadership Mobilization
  • General Electives (Non-Concentration)
• Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities and carries course credit
• Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
• Academic programs contextualized to the needs of the city
• Convenient class locations in downtown Boston, and in cities across New England
• Emphasis on deep spiritual formation, global engagement and practical training
• Various courses offered in Spanish, French, Haitian-Creole and Portuguese

Typical Student

M.A. in Urban Ministry Leadership students are typically already experienced in ministry on a part-time or full-time basis. They may be pastors, civil servants, community leaders, human service professionals or para-church lay leaders looking to increase their knowledge and skills and enhance their ability to make a difference in the public or private sectors of society.

Potential Careers

• Inner-city ministry
• Workplace ministry
• Pastoral ministry
• Para-church ministry
• Humanitarian ministry
• Missions agency
• Social justice 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 urban ministry and self-understanding in context of the city
• 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 and urban vision for the Christian church

Spotlight Alum

I chose Gordon-Conwell specifically to study under Dr. Haddon Robinson, who is by far the greatest expository teacher and preacher I know. His program completely revolutionized my approach to preparing and delivering my messages to our students. I was blown away at how much this degree helped me in my ministry.”

Paul Burton, MAUM ‘02, D.Min. ‘07
Reporter, CBS WBZ TV | Boston, MA; Vice President, Ron Burton Training Village | Hubbardston, MA