|
April 5, 2010
Western Seminary is rewriting the book on leadership training this year, as it moves to launch
the Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership degree program in the fall 2010 semester.
This new decade brings with it new trends and ways of thinking in our world. These shifts dictate
that Christian leaders must adjust their ministry means and methods for greatest impact, never departing from the foundation of scripture and Jesus’ kingdom message. That’s why Western
faculty and staff drew together in 2009 to ask some hard questions of the MA in Specialized
Ministry program. This team identified that some felt needs for leadership and ministry training
were not being addressed, and then sought to tighten and reimagine both curriculum and scope
of training.
The result? The Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership. This revised master’s degree program combines Western’s trademark Bible training, a focused core of ministry leadership courses
and a rich mentored field ministry experience to equip church and parachurch ministry leaders
for gospel-centered transformation.
Ron Marrs, program director for the M.A. in Ministry and Leadership and Assistant Professor of
Pastoral and Youth Ministry, explains, “After 37 years in pastoral ministry as a youth pastor,
worship pastor, and executive pastor, I am convinced of the critical nature of seminary education
for ministry leadership in the body of Christ in all its diverse forms. The demands of ministry
require leaders to be lifelong learners and this program lays the important foundation for that endeavor.”
There’s no need to relocate to campus for M.A. in Ministry and Leadership training as flexible scheduling options like the In-Ministry Track for paid ministry practitioners and distance
learning courses make it possible to complete the program without leaving your ministry
context.
Of course, the program may also be completed entirely on campus at Western
Seminary
campuses in Portland, OR, San Jose, CA or Sacramento, CA. The 60 credit program
may be finished in as few as two years.
Visit www.westernseminary.edu for more information about this program, flexible
scheduling options or the mission of the seminary.
|
