Are you finding yourself serving in an area of ministry and desiring the next steps of growth? Or perhaps God is calling you to serve Him in a new ministry. Have you considered the value a master's degree could add to your own personal effectiveness in serving others?
The Master of Arts in Ministry degree prepares you with the same emphasis in mentoring for ministry that you will find in our undergraduate programs. This master's degree is available in both in-person and live online formats.
When you enroll in the Master of Arts in Ministry program, you can choose from three concentrations:
Christian Service
- If you want to be able to serve the Lord more effectively in the church and in the world, but you are not certain of a specific direction, the Christian Service concentration might be the right option for you. In addition to the core classes, an advisor will help you customize your program with electives such as Bible, theology, education, music, and practical studies.
Church Music
- The value of a scriptural understanding of music is essential to how people view the worship of God. The Church Music concentration provides emphases in music proficiency, theology of music, and ministry principles of music. In order to achieve full candidacy status in the program, you must show proficiency in one of the five principal areas: conducting, piano, voice, instrumental, or composition.
Pastoral Ministry
- If you are seeking further preparation and development for pastoral ministry or its equivalent, the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry concentration could be your next step. This program provides core classes in Bible, theology, and fundamental ministry practice, while also featuring instruction in pastoral competencies such as preparation and delivery of Biblical messages and counseling. This concentration will give you basic pastoral ministry preparation that will benefit you while you serve under a seasoned leader and is an excellent springboard into deeper and more comprehensive training. If you qualify for the IBCS M.Div. program, you can apply all of your M.A.Min. courses, except for the capstone project, toward the M.Div. course requirements.
- Because the New Testament teaches that pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men (1 Tim. 2:12; 1 Cor. 14:34), the Pastoral Ministry concentration is open only to male students.
All of these concentrations give you a solid foundation of Bible, theology, and ministry courses and will also allow you to focus on ministry preparation that is best suited to God’s calling in your life.
Program Prerequisites
In order to be accepted into the Master of Arts in Ministry program, there are certain prerequisites that must be met:
- Admission to the M.A.Min. program requires an approved bachelor’s degree.
- Admission to the Church Music concentration also requires an audition (live or recorded), which shows adequate proficiency in your area of musical expertise.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Ministry program, you will be able to do the following:
- Recognize and articulate theological values according to a thoroughly Biblical and historically Baptistic position.
- Communicate Biblical truth clearly and effectively, whether in print or in speech.
- Develop relevant answers to current ministry problems and issues.
- Serve and lead in the local church with administrative, relational, and spiritual adeptness.
Future Ministry Opportunities
With the Master of Arts in Ministry degree, you’ll be better prepared for the ministry opportunities the Lord has in store for you. You will put into practice what you are learning in the class as you continue to serve in your ministry. Here are just some of the options you will be more equipped for after completing a Master of Arts in Ministry:
- Senior or associate pastor
- Missionary
- Camp ministry leader
- Sunday school teacher
- Lay leader
- Faithful Christian in secular employment
- Bible teacher at school or home