MA in Christian Ministries (MACM)
Full-Time: 2 Years | Part-Time 3-4 Years
All Campuses or 100% Online
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MA in Christian Ministries (MACM)
with optional concentrations
Whether you plan to serve in a church, para-church, mission, campus ministry or marketplace setting, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MACM) will prepare you for effective ministry wherever God calls you. Combining excellent academic training and practical ministry skills, the MA in Christian Ministries provides a solid foundation in multiple disciplines and enhances students’ proficiency in serving the Lord and others.
Potential Careers
- Pastors & Church Leaders
- Parachurch Leaders & Staff
- Missionaries
- Campus Ministry
- Marketplace Ministry
- Community Organizers
- Pastors & Church Leaders
- Para-church Leaders & Staff
- Missionaries
- Campus Ministry
- Marketplace Ministry
- Community Organizers
Program Goals
- You will be spiritually grounded. You will understand who you are as a child of God and will be faithful in developing your relationship with Christ and with his people.
- You will be biblically grounded. You will acknowledge the authority of God’s inerrant Bible and its centrality in governing Christian life and practice. You will understand the main themes and emphases of the Old and New Testaments and have a grasp of the overall message of the Bible and its implications for all aspects of life.
- You will have a basic competence as a biblical interpreter. You will grasp the basics of interpretive methodology and will have practice in using tools and techniques to handle the Bible well.
- You will be historically and theologically adept. You will appreciate the historical and doctrinal heritage both of the Christian church as a whole and of the specific group or groups of which they are a part.
- You will be culturally and globally aware. You will recognize the importance of understanding the culture in which you minister and will possess experience in interpreting your particular ministry context in light of Scripture. You will be aware of what the Lord is doing to establish his kingdom throughout the world and will see your own ministry in direct connection to the worldwide mission of his church.
- You will be equipped with ministry skills. You will gain experience and skills in the particular ministry to which you are called.
Program Distinctives
- Development of a firm biblical foundation to equip students for effective ministry
- World-renowned faculty members training new leaders in the Church
- Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligous Consortium
- Emphasis on global engagement provides opportunities for hands-on missions experience
- Access to other top-tier institutions, including Harvard Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology, through the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium
- Field-Based Mentored Ministry component provides supervised practical ministry opportunities and carries course credit
- Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
- Emphasis on Urban Ministry Leadership with academic courses contextualized to the current needs of the city
- Integration of biblical, theological and historical disciplines with a critical understanding of the social, cultural and economic conditions in the urban context
- Emphasis on deep spiritual formation, global engagement and practical training
- Quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training
- Rigorous courses offered in various formats (evenings, weekends, week intensives and online/hybrid) to accommodate your schedule
- Convenient, economical and innovative adult education system
- Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
- Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home
- Access to library resources and classes at other top-tier institutions through the Carolina Theological Consortium
- Quality contextualized theological education and hands-on training taught in Portuguese and Spanish
- Rigorous courses offered evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
- Convenient, economical, and innovative adult education system
- Renowned, highly qualified, and experienced faculty
- Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home
Courses
48 Credit Hours (16 Courses)
The MA in Christian Ministries (MACM) includes nine foundational courses (core requirements), six concentration electives, and one open elective.
Foundational Courses (Core Requirements)
Exploring the Old Testament
Introduces history, literature and thought of Old Testament as reflected in its major divisions and individual books. Designed and recommended for those who have not had a systematic survey of the Old Testament, enabling them to proceed with seminary-level studies.
Exploring the New Testament
Introduction to the New Testament, providing a framework to understand its message as a whole, as well as the particular message of each book. The course focuses on historical, literary, and theological aspects of the New Testament.
Interpreting the Bible
An introduction to essential bibliographical tools necessary for Bible study and an orientation to the key issues in the field of hermeneutics. Prerequisites: NT501 and OT500.
Theology Survey I
A study of theological method, revelation, inspiration, and canon of scripture; existence and attributes of God; Trinity; creation and providence; human nature; original and actual sin.
Theology Survey II
A study of the person and work of Christ, predestination, conversion, justification, sanctification, and the work of the Holy Spirit; perseverance; the nature and mission of the church; sacraments; eschatology. Prerequisite: TH501. Also must complete OT500 and NT501 before or during this course.
Survey of Church History
Surveys the history of the Christian church from its founding at Pentecost in Jerusalem to the present day worldwide movement.
Understanding Culture
Examine culture through biblical, anthropological, and missiological lenses to develop cross-cultural competence and foster God-honoring, reconciling relationships within diverse communities.
Ethics Course
Explores how Christians can make and enact good, wise, and faithful ethical choices and develop moral character and community in the midst of a complex world.
Spiritual Formation for Ministry
Spiritual Formation for Ministry (MC/SF501): The foundational course in the Division of Practical Theology and an introduction to theological seminary. A beginning working knowledge of spiritual formation leading to a lifetime of continuing education. Spiritual exercise and small group practice for personal application and for leadership in the church.
Electives
Six concentration electives and one open elective:
The six concentration electives you choose should be drawn from either the division of Practical Theology or Counseling. This includes the following course subjects and associated course codes:
CL — Christian Leadership
CO — Counseling
EM — Educational Ministry
EV — Evangelism
MC — Ministry of the Church
PC — Pastoral Counseling
PR — Preaching
YM — Youth Ministry
Optional Concentrations
In addition to the standard MACM, Gordon-Conwell offers multiple predefined concentrations. These concentrations provide you a focused plan of study.
Church Planting
Learn More
Leadership
Learn More
Spiritual Formation
Learn More
Urban Ministry
Learn More
Requirements
Academic Requirements
Required Degree: Bachelor’s
Minimum GPA: 2.5
English Language Requirements
Gordon-Conwell requires a TOEFL score of 92 or better (IBT) for International Students. We also accept IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher, or a Duolingo score of 115. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree through an English-language university may request a TOEFL waiver.
Application Requirements
A Completed Online Application Includes:
- Application Form
- Application Fee
- Two Uploaded Essays
- A 1-2 page statement of purpose addressing questions about your vocational goals, church involvement, encouragement from others, reasons for applying to Gordon-Conwell, and an assessment of your own strengths and weaknesses
- A 1-2 page autobiographical statement
- Three Recommendations
- Pastor or Church Official
- Friend or Associate;
- Former Professor or Professional Colleague (references should be individuals whom you have known for at least one year, and who are not related to you.)
- Official Transcripts
- The seminary requires a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Official transcripts must be sent directly to Gordon-Conwell, or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope. Copies and opened transcripts are not considered official.
- Transcripts may be sent by any means your college(s) uses for transmitting official transcripts; official electronic transcripts are accepted.
- Gordon-Conwell is a partner school of Parchment. If your college uses this service for transmitting electronic transcripts, search for and have the transcripts sent to “Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.”
- We do need transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, even if the classes were transferred to another school and are reflected on their transcripts.
Church Planting Requirements
In addition to what is listed in the Application Requirements (above):
- In the application form, select “Church Planting” from the Concentration drop-down menu.
- When you upload your essays, please indicate your Church Planting goals in your Personal Statement.
- For Church Planting program-specific questions, please email [email protected].
Note: Full-time, in-person residency is not required for the church planting concentration. Therefore it may not be suitable for those seeking to maintain an F-1 Non-immigrant student visa.
Have Questions?
Someone from our friendly admissions team would be happy to reach out to you.
You Can Afford Seminary!
Scholarships and financial assistance are available.
“Helping churches plant churches to extend the Kingdom of God.”
Program Overview
Are you actively engaged in church planting or preparing to plant a church? The Church Planting Program equips you for your missional calling.
Program Characteristics
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- 48 credit hours to be completed primarily online over 3 years while church planting or working toward church planting
- Monthly online community group for church planting students
- Annual retreat for church planting students
- Involvement in the Partnership Program so you graduate debt-free
Program Director
Dr. Erin Crider
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Church Planting