Overview

Goals

Distinctives

Courses

Concentrations

Requirements

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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.

Learn More: New Church Planting Concentration

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.

Dynamics of Spiritual Life (CH/SF591): Drawing on the Creation-Redemption narrative and the riches of the history of Christian Spirituality, the course presents a comprehensive model of spirituality that can be used in personal renewal, spiritual formation, direction, discipleship, and counseling. Combining theory and praxis, it explores key spiritual dynamics, equipping for ministry to those seeking a deeper life with Christ.

Electives

Six concentration electives and one open elective:

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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

Visit our application page to learn more about the requirements and process.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MACM) at Gordon-Conwell.

What is the main difference between the MACM degree and our other theological MA degrees?

Focused on practical ministry skills, the MACM is our shortest degree program at 48 credit hours. Required MACM electives are chosen specifically from the Practical Theology or Counseling divisions, and there are no biblical language requirements for the MACM. Students also have the option to choose a concentration such as church planting, leadership, spiritual formation, or urban ministry.

How does Gordon-Conwell's multidenominational identity shape the classroom?

Gordon-Conwell professors and students come from a variety of Christian traditions, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, Anglican, and more. Yet we’re united around the authority of Scripture, as outlined in our Statement of Faith. In the classroom, you’ll encounter a range of theological perspectives, all explored with openness while staying rooted in the essential truths of the Christian faith. It’s an environment where you’ll be challenged to examine and deepen your own convictions, not change them—and to grow in community with believers from traditions different from your own. Learn more about this in a video by our academic dean and alumnus, Dr. Gerry Wheaton (MAOT & MANT ’03).

What vocational opportunities do most MACM students pursue after graduating?

The MACM prepares students for a wide range of practical ministry roles both inside and outside the church, such as church ministry, nonprofit or parachurch work, missions, campus ministry, and marketplace ministry. For those pursuing ordained ministry or regular preaching and teaching, the MDiv is usually the better fit.

Can the MACM be completed fully online?

Yes, the MACM can be completed fully online, in person, or in a hybrid format. Hybrid students can choose each semester whether to take courses on campus or online, whichever best fits their schedule.