Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree Program
Pastoral
Ministry Specialization
The Pastoral Ministry specialization is designed as the foundational preparation
for those who are called and expect to serve the local church in a pastoral capacity. The specialized courses seek to develop pastors competent to lead a church with integrity, understanding, and skill. Learning is guided by faculty and pastor/mentors in both classroom and church contexts.
In addition to the Master of Divinity Core Outcomes, the Pastoral Ministry specialization attempts to achieve specific outcomes. For each student, these outcomes are:
- Know the biblical, theological, and ministerial foundations for pastoral ministry including pastoral identity, the nature of pastoral ministry, preaching, soul care, and ministry programs.
- Be able to do basic, tool-assisted exegesis of texts from various Old and New Testament genre with a view to preparing expository messages and lessons.
- Be able to develop and deliver with advanced proficiency expository sermons and lessons from various biblical genre.
- Be able to perform relevant pastoral duties such as administering the ordinances, performing weddings and funerals, doing visitation, dealing with crisis situations, counseling, equipping, and practicing church discipline
- Be able to deal with issues of leadership and management in the church, such as decision making, team building, board dynamics, conflict management, finances, buildings, legal matters, and the like
MDiv Pastoral Ministry Track:
Spiritual formation: 6 hours
SFS 501 Learning to Love God and Others (2)
SFS 502 Practicing Prayer and Other Key Disciplines (2)
SFS 504 Growing into Ethical Maturity (2)Biblical studies: 16 hours
DBS 506 Learning to Interpret Scripture (4)
BLS 501X Interpreting Old Testament I: Genesis - 2 Samuel (2)
BLS 501Y Interpreting Old Testament II: 1 Kings - Song of Solomon (2)
BLS 502X Interpreting Old Testament III: Isaiah to Malachi (2)
BLS 502Y Interpreting New Testament I: Gospels (2)
BLS 503X Interpreting New Testament II: Epistles 1 (2)
BLS 503Y Interpreting New Testament III: Epistles 2 (2)Biblical language studies: 12 hours
(see note on biblical language options)
NTS 501 Functional Foundations of Greek (3)
NTS 502 Functional Application of Greek (3)
or
NTS 508 Introducing Foundation for Greek Exegesis (3)
NTS 509 Greek Reading and Syntax (3)
(Students complete either NTS 501/502 or NTS 508/509)
OTS 501 Functional Foundations of Hebrew (3)
OTS 502 Functional Application of Hebrew (3)
or
OTS 508 Introducing Foundation for Hebrew Exegesis (3)
OTS 509 Hebrew Reading and Syntax (3)
(Students complete either OTS 501/502 or OTS 508/509)Theological studies: 16 hours
CHS 505X Wisdom from Church History I (2)
CHS 505Y Wisdom from Church History II (2)
THS 501 Knowing the Triune God: Theology I (4)
THS 502 Glorifying the God of our Salvation: Theology II . (4)
THS 503 Living as the Community of the Spirit: Theology III (2)
THS 508 Integrating Ministry and Theology (2)Ministerial studies: 20 hours
DIS 501 Communicating Christ in Culture (2)
DMS 501 Thinking Theologically about Ministry (2)
DMS 502 Introducing Theology and Practice of Worship (2)
DMS 506 Developing Godly Leadership for the 21st Century (2)
EMS 505 Growing Disciples Intentionally (2)
PTS 503 Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics (2)
PTS 504 Maximizing the Church’s Redemptive Influence (2)
PTS 507 Providing Pastoral Counseling (2)
PTS 508 Developing Strong Families (2)
PTS 510 Preparing and Preaching Expository Sermons (2)Mentored ministry: 6 hours
MFM 500 Discovering and Developing Ministry Potential (2)
MFM 501-504 Mentored Field Ministry (1+1+1+1)Pastoral ministry required course: 2 hrs
PTS 506 Providing Pastoral Care (2)Pastoral ministry restricted electives: 8 hrs
NTS or OTS exegesis course (2)
PTS communication course (2)
PTS or CNS electives (4)Open electives: 4 hours
Total: 90 hours
- Master of Divinity Degree Requirements
- Master of Divinity Expositional Ministry Specialization
- Back to Master of Divinity Main Page
