Master of Arts in Church Ministry

The Master of Arts in Church Ministry (MA-CM) is a professional degree program designed for people who plan to enter or upgrade in pastoral ministry. This program is also available through AIIAS Online.

Program Length

15 months plus the time needed to finish prerequisites

Outcome and Competencies of an MA-CM Graduate

A Competent Discipler and Pastoral Leader
A Compassionate Minister
A Conscientious Teacher/Preacher

Provides meaningful leadership in church worship
Competent pastoral counseling to various groups and age levels
Committed to the spiritual growth of church members
Demonstrates enthusiasm in mission and evangelism
Capable in performing church ordinances and traditions
Demonstrates a basic understanding of approaches to discipleship and ability in discipling individuals toward multiplication and maturity of faith in Christ

Provides care of their family and the church members
Gives evidence of passionate care by visiting, praying with, and encouraging church members
Sensitive to the various needs of church ministry
Loves the ministry, the church and the people they lead
Provides caring opportunities to revive and reclaim erring and backsliding members
Demonstrates appropriate care and empathy toward persons experiencing various crises

Is passionate in sharing and preaching the gospel
Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the distinctive doctrines of the Adventist church
Demonstrates an ability to use the Scriptures effectively in preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and evangelism
Demonstrates interpretive skills of the Word of God based on sound theology with a solid biblical foundation
Exhibits a general understanding of the bible in relation to its authorship, background, history, and messages

Admission Requirements

Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a four-point scale) or equivalent.
Demonstrate proficiency in English.

Prerequisites

Have a minimum of 72 undergraduate semester hours in religion.
For every year of full-time regular denominational employment as a pastor, teacher or chaplain, two of the 72 semester hours in religion may be waived, up to a total of 10 years (20 semester hours). The employing institution should provide a certified copy of the worker’s service record.

Curriculum

In order to complete the Master of Arts in Church Ministry program the following 14 courses or their equivalent totaling 42 semester hours must be completed on campus, at a DLC, or online.

Program Structure	Credits
Applied Theology	15
Biblical Studies	9
Theological-Historical Studies	9
General Electives	6
Research and Writing	3
TOTAL	42

Applied Theology	15
Complete the following five courses:
CHMN 545 Dynamic Sermon Design and Delivery	3
CHMN 563 Principles and Procedures of Evangelism	3
CHMN 579 Ministry and Spiritual Life	3
LEAD 510 Biblical Foundations of Leadership and Ethics	3
MSSN 577 Growing Disciples and Mission	3

Biblical Studies	9
Complete the following three courses:
OTST/NTST 512 Biblical Hermeneutics	3
NTST ______ NTST-Elective	3
OTST ______ OTST-Elective	3

Theological-Historical Studies	9
Complete the following three courses:
THST 531 Distinctive Doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church	3
CHIS ______ CHIS-Elective	3
THST ______ THST-Elective	3