Overview
The Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A.Min.) is for persons called to vocational ministry in a role that does not require the Master of Divinity. While the curriculum provides excellent preparation for specialized ministry in the church, it is not designed to provide an abbreviated period of graduate study leading to senior pastoral leadership. Those who want to serve in senior leadership positions are encouraged to enroll in the Seminary’s Master of Divinity program.
The objectives of the program are as follows:
- A comprehensive understanding of biblical content, a discerning approach to biblical interpretation, and theological reflection informed by historical traditions.
- Growth in emotional, spiritual, and relational health resulting in observable love for God and neighbor.
- The capacity and skills for effective ministry practice within the context of a ministry team.
- Intercultural competence as it is lived out in various ministries of the local church, broader community, and the global arena.
- Intentional integration of biblical knowledge and personal and spiritual formation into ministry with diverse populations.
M.A.Min. students are not required to declare a concentration. For those who choose to pursue a concentration, a complete list of all concentrations is available in the "Concentration" section of this program. Students who choose a concentration may need to take independent studies or extend the length of time to degree completion in order to fulfill the requirements of a particular concentration.
The M.A.Min is the seminary degree involved with two special academic programs from other Bethel University schools:
- The Ministry Scholars Program with the College of Arts and Sciences
- The B.A. in Christian Ministries to M.A.Min with the College of Adult and Professional Studies
Master of Arts in Ministry
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
BT 510 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
HS 510 | Church History Survey | 3 |
NT 516 | New Testament Survey: Narratives, Letters, and Revelation | 3 |
OT 516 | Old Testament Survey: Law, Prophets and Writings | 3 |
NT 518 | New Testament: Exegetical Explorations | 3 |
or OT 518 | Old Testament: Exegetical Explorations | |
TS 512 | Systematic Theology I: God the Creator | 3 |
TS 513 | Systematic Theology II: God the Redeemer | 3 |
TS 516 | Christian Social Ethics | 3 |
Degree Specific Courses | ||
GC 512 | Global, Cultural and Contextual Ministry | 3 |
ML 523 | Introduction to Transformational Leadership: Theory and Practice in Global Perspective | 3 |
SP 510 | Introduction to Spiritual and Personal Formation | 3 |
Concentration Courses and Electives | ||
Electives (CTL or CSPF) 1 | 12 | |
Supervised Ministry and Other Requirements | ||
GS 001 | Graduate Research Seminar: Masters Level | 0 |
GS 780 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
SP 001 | Formation Assessments: Masters Level | 0 |
TL 001 | Vocational Assessments | 0 |
Professional Internship | 3 | |
Total Credits | 51 |
- 1
CTL Electives are any CF, CP, CM, DC, GC, ML, or TL courses.
CSPF Electives are any MF, MH, PC, or SP courses.
Students may complete a thesis to fulfill a portion of the required elective credits.
No concentration is required for this degree. If a student is earning a concentration, concentration requirements will be taken instead of electives.
A minimum of 51 semester credits is required for graduation from the M.A.Min. program. The student is responsible for meeting all graduation deadlines and requirements.
Concentration
Post-Christian Ministry Concentration (Gateway Church Partnership)
- M.Div, M.A.Min.
Post-Christian Ministry is designed as an experience for individuals living in Austin, Texas, and working as interns with Eric Bryant. It is available through the Online delivery format and includes courses taken directly with Gateway Church. The concentration in Post-Christian Ministry is designed for pastors, church planters, teachers, writers, and church leaders who are serving in post-Christian environments or who feel called to reach those not being reached through traditional methods. The concentration emphasizes creating networks (missional communities) and Sunday gatherings where people can “come as they are.” After students complete the concentration, they will know how to engage with people and cultures that are unfamiliar with the Christian tradition, how to help people move from lost to leading, and how to invite skeptics to become Christ-followers who disciple and reach others. The concentration courses, with the exception of the required elective, are operated by Gateway Church. Students in this concentration must register for the concentration courses through Gateway Church and have transcripts sent from Gateway Church to Bethel Seminary to facilitate the transfer of credit. The Post-Christian Ministry concentration consists of the following courses:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Introduction to Post-Christian Ministry 1 | 3 | |
Missional Innovation 1 | 3 | |
Leading Missional Organizations 1 | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Total Credits | 12 |
- 1
These concentration courses are operated by Gateway Church and are not offered at Bethel Seminary.