MA in Ministry

Ohio Christian University has developed its Master of Arts in Ministry to enhance the ministry skills of pastors and lay leaders in the local church. The major will prepare students to serve even more effectively in the church and society, whether they are in paid or lay ministry. All courses contribute to the ability to enhance students’ ministry skills. All graduates of this major must be grounded in the Bible, theology, and historical thought and context of the church.

Objectives:

On completion of the major a student should be able to:

• Demonstrate a deep love for God by continually practicing spiritual disciplines.
• Analyze Christian theological thinking through the centuries and its effects on the church and culture and the effects of culture and church on Christian theological thinking.
• Conduct independent research and evaluation of biblical and theological literature and apply knowledge to enhance ministry practices.
• Analyze situations and choose the proper interventions to help others cope with crises. (Pastoral Care and Counseling)
• Demonstrate skills in church administration, preaching/ teaching, handling sacraments and rituals, and care giving in the local church. (Practical Theology)

PROGRAM36 Hours

Core24

• MIN5000 Ministry Essentials3
  Note: This course is the prerequisite for the remainder of the MA in Ministry. This course is an introductory course that will assist the learner in developing the basic skills necessary for success in graduate study. The orientation course is an overview of biblical studies and theology, while building awareness of calling, personal strengths, and graduate writing skills.
• PCC5100 Pastoral Care Giver3
  Formation for pastoral care givers who focus on the value of persons and their relationships, and who know the history of pastoral care, the major therapeutic models, and the application of biblical principles to pastoral care and counseling, so they can identify basic human problems and respond appropriately through pastoral care and counseling.
• BIB5300 New Testament History and Interpretation3
  A study of modern research on the New Testament, including the origin and nature of the New Testament canon, with special attention relationships among the synoptic Gospels, the purpose and integrity of Acts, and the authorship and dates of the epistles.
• BIB5400 Old Testament History and Interpretation3
  Modern research and literary approaches to the Old Testament, with a primary focus on the Pentateuch, Isaiah, Daniel, and the Psalms.
• THE5500 History of Christian Thought3
  The development of the Church’s doctrines from the close of the Apostolic Age through the modern period with emphasis on the development of the ecumenical creeds and the distinctive doctrines of the Reformation.
• THE5600 Theology of John Wesley3
  The Wesleyan theological heritage, with emphasis on its spiritual and ideological construction at the inception of Methodism, a critical explanation and evaluation of the origins and development of Methodism’s richest resources, and encouragement toward its adequate communication in preaching, teaching, scholarship, and holy living
• MIN6700 Mission in the Western World3
  This course equips students for mission to non-Christian people in contemporary Western society. The course draws on insights from Scripture and the social sciences. Emphasis will be given to understanding the social and cultural influences, attitudes, beliefs, values, and worldviews of people in post-modern and post-Christian America.
• MIN6800 Ministry Capstone3
  This course is the culmination of the Master of Arts in Ministry program. Through a Capstone Project, students will demonstrate competence in program objectives and will integrate what they have learned on a scholarly level into practitioner settings appropriate to their concentration. Students will also develop a Personal Credo and Philosophy of Ministry.

  Prerequisite: Completion of major or concentration courses.

CONCENTRATION 12