PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MACM — Urban Ministry Concentration
Seek the Peace of the City
Whether you plan to serve in a church, para-church, mission, campus ministry or marketplace setting, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MACM) — Urban Ministry Concentration prepares you for effective ministry in diverse and everchanging cultural landscapes. 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 while seeking the peace and well-being of the city (Jeremiah 29:7).
Potential Careers
- 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.
MACM – Urban Ministry Concentration
Program Distinctives
- Training from diverse and experienced urban ministry leaders, with emphasis on further developing your own urban ministry leadership
- Academic courses contextualized to the current needs of global, urban environments
- Rigorous courses offered during evenings and weekends to accommodate your schedule
- Integration of biblical, theological and historical disciplines with a critical understanding of the social, cultural, and economic conditions in the urban context
- Conveniently located in the heart of the city
- Ability to build connections with, and learn from, other students already engaged in practical urban ministry
- Focus on deep spiritual formation, global engagement, and practical training
- 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
Courses
48 Credit Hours (16 Courses)
The MACM – Urban Ministry Concentration includes nine foundational courses (core requirements), six concentration course, and one field-based mentoried ministry course.
Foundational Courses (Core Requirements)
Introduction to Theological Research
Introduction to Theological Studies (CT500) introduces seminary students to graduate-level research and writing skills with specific attention to academic writing, theological research, integrating sources, understanding and avoiding plagiarism, and the proper citation of sources.
Exploring the Old Testament
Exploring the Old Testament (OT500) highlights the big picture of the Old Testament through the lens of God’s relationship with his people. We will explore the content, context, message, and purpose of each Old Testament book. We will see how each book fits into the overarching story of the Old Testament and how the unfolding narrative points forward to Jesus as the climax in the story of redemption.
Exploring the New Testament
Exploring the New Testament (NT501) traces the revelation of the Good News of Jesus Christ from the time of Jesus’ inauguration of God’s Kingdom, through the international missionary work of the Apostle Paul, to the Church’s communal life and witness in the first-century world. We will explore the content, context, message, and purpose of each New Testament book and see how they show the fulfillment of Scripture’s overarching narrative.
Interpreting the Bible
Have you ever heard someone ask, “does the Bible really say that?” This question often stems from a curiosity about biblical interpretation. In NT/OT517, you will acquire critical exegetical skills for faithful biblical analysis for ministry contexts, as well as for deeper spiritual enrichment. Gain a foundation of the theory and methods of Biblical interpretation and utilize modern exegetical resources. Apply interpretive principles to various genres of Scripture. Distinguish between various schools of thought related to key hermeneutical issues in Biblical interpretation. This course will provide you with the essential tools you need for each ministry setting, and to tactfully engage in “why?” conversations with informed knowledge and insight.
Theology Survey I
What exactly sets Christianity apart from other religious expressions in the world? Examine the development of the nature, history, and methodology of Christian theology. Explore the distinctives of Christianity through the over-arching theme of the doctrine of God in the first of a two-part survey on Christian theology. Observe the awesome being of God, the attributes of God, and the Trinitarian nature of God. Reflect upon various methodological issues, theological implications of creation, and theological anthropology. In completion of TH501, you will be able to outline fundamental Christian doctrines, articulate various theological positions with biblical support, and communicate a personal theological position on significant theological topics.
Theology Survey II
With a theological foundation laid in TH501, TH502 undertakes a more comprehensive analysis of Christology, the person and work of the Christ, as well as Pneumatology, the work of the Holy Spirit. The doctrines of predestination, conversion, justification, sanctification, perseverance, the nature and mission of the church, sacraments, and eschatology will be examined more extensively, and all doctrinal observations will be made from the perspective of divine missions and Trinitarian activity. Theological reflection will occur in a comparative fashion, observing evangelical traditions alongside other major Christian traditions, specifically Catholic and Eastern-orthodox doctrine, for the purpose of enhancing the range of theological study.
Survey of Church History
Survey of Church History (CH500) surveys the history of the Christian church from its founding at Pentecost in Jerusalem to the present day worldwide movement.
Christian Ethics & Social Issues
Seeks to develop the student’s theological-ethical reflections, social analysis, and types of action for ministering to crucial social issues. Our three-step approach will be: 1) clarification, 2) conceptualization, and 3) confrontation. Issues include: urbanization, economic justice, and environmental ethics.
World Missions Elective (Select 1 of 2)
Select One:
The Gospel, The World, & The City (WM627)
Course Description coming soon.
Missions & the Local Church (WM661)
Missions & the Local Church (WM661) covers the position, roles, and responsibilities of the local church with respect to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Special attention given to the concept of the local church as the primary, God-ordained organism for the recruitment, training and sending of missionaries.
Concentration Requirements
Church & Community
Church & Community (MC/SE602) introduces students to important strategies for social ministry, such as: congregation-based community organizing, community development, and others, designed to facilitate a holistic social ministry and prophetic role in the community and exploring as avenues towards gospel faithfulness and shalom in the city. The biblical/theological bases for social responsibility are explored.
Living Systems in the Urban Context
Living Systems in the Urban Context (MC621) lays out the basic concepts and tools of systems thinking; helps students understand that the Body of Christ, churches, families, neighborhoods, and cities are complex and interrelated living social systems; and then introduces a systemic approach to Christian ministry called Living System Ministry. Students learn through viewing videos, reading, self-reflection, interactive teaching, workshops, dynamic discussion, and challenging but practical assignments.
Christianity & the Problem of Racism
Christianity & the Problem of Racism (SE632) …
Alternative:
The Bible & Race (AP/MC687) leads students to a comprehensive theological understanding of the diversity of the human race and the accompanying ministry implications through a Biblical worldview.
Pastoral Care in the Urban Church
Pastoral Care in the Urban Church (MC/PC608) [description coming soon]
Leadership Elective (Select 1 of 2)
Select One:
Leadership in Urban Ministry (CL654)
Leadership in Urban Ministry (CL654) emphasizes equipping, leading, and supporting urban Christians in and for their various callings in home, community, church, and workplace through the educational ministry of the local congregation. Helps students to identify their own leadership opportunities, to consider their own leadership assets, and to develop others.
Leadership, Management, and Strategy for Urban Ministry (CL/MC801)
Leadership, Management, and Strategy for Urban Ministry (CL/MC801) offers triple workshop: Creative Life Planning, Management Theory and Plan for Future Ministry. Provides powerful small group experience and application of dynamic theory to future practice.
Ministry Elective (Select 1 of 2)
Select One:
Working with Marginalized Poor (MC670)
Working with Marginalized Poor (MC670) [description coming soon]
Compassionate & Holistic Youth & Family in Urban Ministry (EM/YM683)
Compassionate & Holistic Youth & Family in Urban Ministry (EM/YM683) [description coming soon]
Field-Based Mentored Ministry
Field-Based Mentored Ministry (MM649) is a capstone practical theology course required for MDiv and MA students through CUME. Students learn broad-based urban ministry leadership skills. The semester is divided into a series of thematic workshops followed by a field-based ministry project that will be addressed by a small group and an assigned mentor. Students practice leadership skills, strategic planning, collaboration, and community development principles along with pastoral discernment. Spiritual formation goals are integrated into all aspects of the course.
TUITION RATES
CUME Urban Ministry Scholarship*
Students enrolled in an urban ministry degree through our Boston Campus/CUME, are eligible for the Urban Ministry Scholarship (a 47% discount from our base tuition, automatically applied for CUME students). Qualifying programs include: The Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry, the MA in Christian Ministries —Urban Ministry Concentration, and the Master of Divinity — Urban Ministry Concentration.
SERVICES FEES
Note: Service fees will be charged as follows for each semester/summer session in which a student registers for courses, regardless of student status or credit hours or registration type.
| Fall/Spring/Full Summer | $175 per term |
| Summer I, II, III (Intensives) | $35 per session |
| Technology Fee | $40 per term |
Summer 2023
Now Accepting Applications for Summer ’23
While the formal deadline for our Spring ’23 Semester was December 1, we are still accepting applications for this coming spring semester on a limited basis. Check the following link for further campus and program-specific dates & deadlines.
Detailed Application Dates & Deadlines »
Have Questions?
Someone from our friendly admissions team would be happy to reach out to you.
