MA in Global Leadership (magl)
Hamilton | Charlotte | Latino & Global Ministries | 100% Remote
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MA in Global Leadership (magl)
The Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) will equip you with a missiological foundation for leadership in a global context. Designed to prepare women and men for a wide variety of mission and non-profit settings, upon completion you will be able to faithfully comprehend, interpret and apply the Bible within your own life and will be prepared to serve in various leadership roles.
Potential Careers
- Parachurch Ministry
- Missions
- NGO
- Bi-Vocational Ministry
- International Church Staff
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 relationships 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 biblical interpreters. 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 ministries in direct connection to the worldwide mission of his church.
- You will be equipped with ministry skills. You will gain experience and expertise to be leaders in global and majority-world ministry contexts.
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
- 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
- Rigorous courses offered in various formats (evenings, weekends, week intensives and online/hybrid) to accommodate your schedule
- Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
- Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home
Cohort-Based Education Model
- Cohorts bring together the same students, taking the same courses, at the same time, for their academic program.
- Cohorts currently enrolling in Spanish, English, & Portuguese.
- Language-based cohorts are not be taught in translation, other than an occasional guest presenter.
- Gordon-Conwell faculty who speak the language of the cohort provide mentorship and academic leadership.
- Stackable academic bundles enable students to achieve certificates that lead to both the MAGL and MATS degrees.
- Tuition is fixed for the academic bundle as long as a student remains in the cohort they started with.
- Ministry leaders share issues, challenges, and opportunities as they grow together spiritually and professionally in a shared cohort experience.
Courses
36 Credit Hours (12 Courses)
Foundational Courses (Core Requirements)*
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
Interpreting the Bible (OT/NT517) builds a broad foundation for responsible and productive study of Scripture by orienting students to the essential tools and issues in the field of hermeneutics. The course enables students to adapt the knowledge and skills acquired to their specific ministry contexts.
Prerequisites: OT500 & NT501
Theology Survey I
Theology Survey I (TH501) focuses on the theological method, revelation, inspiration, and canon of scripture; existence and attributes of God; Trinity; creation and providence; human nature, and original and actual sin.
Theology Survey II
Theology Survey II (TH502) focuses on 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, and eschatology. Prerequisite: TH 501
Spiritual Formation for Ministry
Spiritual Formation for Ministry (MC/SF501) develops a working knowledge of spiritual formation leading to a lifetime of continuing education. Special emphasis is given to spiritual exercise and small group practice for personal application and for leadership in ministry. Alternative: Dynamics of Spiritual Life (CH/SF591)
Global Leadership & Ministry Courses
Biblical Theology of Leadership
Biblical Theology of Leadership (CL/NT/OT574) explores the foundational teachings and primary metaphors of leadership in the Bible. These teachings and metaphors are understood in the context of God’s larger calling on the covenant community in redemptive history.
Understanding Culture
Understanding Culture (IS/WM520) assists Christians in the task of translating Christianity into the various cultures where it abides, attending to the traits, values and patterns of specific cultures so that as Christ enters that culture he both rectifies what is broken and lifts up what is sacred.
Global Leadership
Global Leadership (CL510) is an overview of global leadership and will address the dynamics that led to the rise of this movement around the world. The lenses through which this course will be examined include the theology of leadership, history of leadership, sociology of leadership, and globalization of leadership. Students in the course will be challenged to undertake original research projects on the persons, organizations, and issues that contributed to these movements worldwide.
Cross-Cultural Leadership (CL/WM615) also fulfills the program requirement.
World Mission of the Church
World Mission of the Church (WM601) Recognizing the responsibility of all Christians to complete Christ’s commission, this course gives an overview of the strategic and historical progress of worldwide missions today. The ways in which a local congregation can fulfill its worldwide biblical mandate are also considered.
Open Elective
Open Elective
Requirements
Academic Requirements
Required Degree: Bachelor’s
Minimum GPA: 2.5
English Language Requirements (International Students)
Gordon-Conwell requires a TOEFL score of 90 or better (IBT). We also accept IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher, or a Duolingo score of 110. 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
- Two Uploaded Essays
- A 1-2 page personal statement 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.
You Can Afford Seminary!
Scholarships and financial assistance are available.