Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Program
Program
Objectives
The Master of Divinity degree program is designed for those engaged in or preparing for vocational ministry, including the pastorate, intercultural service, Christian education, pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, evangelism, music and worship ministries, and related areas of service. Historically, the M.Div. degree has been the recommended program for those preparing for ordination.
The M.Div. program requires a core of biblical, theological, and applied ministry studies. In addition, students select an elective track consisting either of a ministry specialization or a self-designed sequence of electives approved by a faculty mentor. This flexibility of design recognizes that many students come with differing God-given gifts, passions, talents, experiences, and goals.
The M.Div. course of study, designed to assist the local church in the training and nurturing of godly leaders, is guided by five overarching educational values which the Seminary believes are essential to that objective. Those values are:
1. Outcome-based instruction.
2. Spiritual and character formation.
3. Mentor relationships.
4. Church relatedness.
5. Global and cultural awareness.
M.Div.
Core Outcomes
The explicit outcomes which the M.Div. seeks to produce encompass multiple dimensions of the graduate’s life and work. This means that the M.Div. student’s educational experiences are intended to produce growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry. Many of these outcomes are best achieved and measured in the field, rather than the classroom. Consequently, many of the educational experiences bring the classroom and the church together in partnership to prepare the student for a life of fruitful ministry.
In addition to the Seminary’s general educational goals, the Master of Divinity program attempts to achieve specific outcomes:
- Be a person whose Christ-like character is worthy of being emulated, and whose integrity imparts credibility to his/her ministry
- Be a person who understands his/her optimal role in the furthering of God’s purposes
- Be a person who experiences healthy interdependency and genuine community with other believers
- Be a person with a global vision who thinks, acts, and prays strategically
- Know the nature and mission of the church, being able to implement a biblically-based philosophy of ministry in various contexts and cultures
- Be able to interpret and apply biblical texts using sound hermeneutical principles and the biblical languages
- Know the major themes and developments of God’s redemptive activity revealed in Scripture
- Know the historical tenets and contemporary significance of evangelical theology and practice
- Be able to think biblically and critically so that various truth claims can be effectively evaluated
- Know the leading figures, movements, and events of church history world wide
- Be able to discover those elements of culture that must be understood for effective ministry
- Be able to communicate God’s truth clearly, accurately, and convincingly
- Be able to lead and equip a group of people so that God’s purposes are efficiently accomplished in and through them
- Be a true life-long learner, building upon his/her seminary training.
- Master of Divinity Admission and Degree Requirements
- Master of Divinity Specializations
- Master of Divinity Expositionall Ministry Specialization
- Master of Divinity Pastoral Ministry Specialization
- Master of Divinity World Ministry Specialization
- Back to Master of Divinity Main Page
