Master of Arts in Christian Ministries

Oversight/Location of the Program within the Seminary: Plenary Faculty

Introductory Statement of Program Goal: The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MAXM) degree is a professional credential designed to prepare women and men for competent leadership in specialized ministries in their faith communities. This degree seeks to develop the general theological understanding required as a basis for specialized ministries and to nurture the practical abilities and skills needed for the special form of ministry expected. The program is built upon biblical, historical, theological, and contextual foundations and seeks to prepare both lay and clergy candidates for a vocation of specialized ministry in unique contextual settings in the life of the church.

DEGREE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Four primary learning objectives undergird the curriculum. Students graduating from this program shall:

Demonstrate a fundamental grounding in theological studies and be able to locate their specialized vocation in the larger context of the Christian heritage and calling;
Understand contextual and cultural dynamics related to human and ecclesial needs, modes and models of response, and relevant resources specific to settings in ministry;
Possess specific competencies related to their areas of ministry that enable them to contribute more effectively to their faith communities and institutions; and
Practice the values inherent to learning community in which critical and constructive insight is valued and the content and dynamic aspects of specialized ministries assessed in a collegial manner.
Demonstrate enhanced understanding of commitment to personal and social holiness through practices of moral, personal, and spiritual formation, in a context of accountability to a community of faith, and dependence of the Spirit of Christ.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For admission requirements, see the section on Academic Information. However, for applicants to the MAXM whose GPA for all post-secondary education is below 2.50, and whose native language is other than English and/or whose education has been in non-English-speaking institutions, a proctored essay written in English may be submitted along with the application for admission, as a substitute for the MAT or GRE.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours, including all required courses;
Completion of at least 30 hours on a geophysical campus of Asbury Theological Seminary. At least 6 semester hours of work should be taken within the 24 months preceding the date of graduation;
Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00/4.00;
Satisfactory completion of all degree requirements in not more than seven academic years from the first term of matriculation.
Apply for graduation online.

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

M.A. Core Courses (18)

GENERAL ELECTIVES (18)

M.A.X.M. Specialization (24 units)

The core requirements of the degree are augmented with outcomes specific to each track within the program. Four specific tracks enable the student to develop a ministry focus or specialization: A. Servant Leadership Ministries, B. Ministries in Hispanic Congregations; C. Congregational Care Ministries; and D. Mission/Evangelism Ministries.

A. Servant Leadership Ministries Track (24 units). This Track is specifically designed to satisfy the academic requirements for ordination as Permanent Deacon in The United Methodist Church, or other Christian denominations. This Track, available on both Florida and Kentucky campuses, prepares graduates to:

Understand and practice servant leadership ministry as a distinct vocation of compassion and justice within the mission of the church.
Contribute to a local congregation through worship leadership, discipleship ministries, and missional initiatives; and
Develop competencies in a specialization beyond the Basic Graduate Theological Studies course work required for the United Methodist Church.

This specific ministry focus or specialization (24 units) is arranged under the following headings:

DO690 Theology of John Wesley (2)
CH600 History of Methodism (2)
CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline (2)
DO670 United Methodist Theology (2)
MS610-49 Core Elective in Evangelism (3)
WO510-49 Core Elective in Worship (3)
MM601-602 Mentored Ministry (4)

For non-United Methodist students, UM history, doctrine, and polity (6 hours) are substituted with appropriate denominational course work.

Six (6) units of additional course work are selected in consultation with the student's advisor in the contextual area of ministry.

B. Ministries in Hispanic Congregations Track (24 units): This Track is designed for persons engaged in ministries directly related to Hispanic congregations. Available only on the Florida campus, this Track prepares graduates to:

Understand and practice ministry in Hispanic congregations, with particular awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural dynamics that make these contexts of ministry unique;
Provide leadership in Hispanic congregations through pastoral oversight, worship leadership, discipleship ministries, caring and counseling service; and
Develop competencies in cross-cultural leadership and multi-cultural dynamics so as to be important resources to the community at large.

This specific ministry focus or specialization (24 units) is arranged under the following headings:

CD510-49 Core Elective in Christian Discipleship (3)
CL610-49 Core Elective in Christian Leadership (3)
CS620 Hispanic Theological and Social Ethics (3) or
CS621 Hispanic History, Theology, and Ministry (3)
MS652 Christian Ministry in a Multicultural Society (3)
PC/CO510-49 Core Elective in Pastoral Care & Counseling (3)
CO650-99 Advanced Course in Counseling (3)
SM601-602 Supervised Ministry (4)

Two (2) units of additional course work are selected in consultation with the student's advisor in a specific area of vocational concern. While only two courses in this constellation have an overtly and specifically Hispanic orientation, all course work undertaken by students in this track will involve assignments and practical learning activities that are attentive to and reflective of the peculiarities of Hispanic contextual ministries. Mentored ministry must take place in Hispanic congregational settings. Students in this track are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the resources of the Hispanic Summer Program which offers course work in both the Spanish and English languages in Hispanic contextual settings.

C. Congregational Care Ministries Track (24 units): The purpose of this Track is to provide a strong foundation in pastoral care and counseling for those students who feel called into caring ministries at the congregational level but do not seek professional credentialing in these areas. Counseling and pastoral care in this Track are viewed within the larger context of Christian worship, discipleship, and leadership. This Track, offered on both the Florida and Kentucky campuses, prepares graduates to:

Understand and practice caring ministries within the larger context of congregational life and mission;
Provide personal and educational resources to churches in the areas of pastoral care and counseling; and
Develop competencies in care-giving ministries, particularly pastoral care and counseling.

This specific ministry focus or specialization (24 units) is arranged under the following headings:

CD510-49 Core Elective in Christian Discipleship (3)
CL610-49 Core Elective in Christian Leadership (3)
PC/CO510-49 Core Elective in Pastoral Care & Counseling (6)
CO650-99 Advanced Course in Counseling (3)
PC655 Clinical Pastoral Education (3)
MM601-602 Mentored Ministry (4)

Two (2) units of additional course work are selected in consultation with the student's advisor in a specific area of vocational concern.

D. Mission/Evangelism Ministries Track (24 units): The purpose of this Track is to introduce students to critical foundations for the faithful and effective practice of mission and evangelism in the variegated cultures of contemporary society. This Track, available only on the Florida Campus, prepares graduates to:

Interface a biblical theology of mission and evangelism with an appreciation for the amazing variety of cultural contexts in the world today;
Articulate an informed perspective for engaging, planning, and leading effective mission activities and ministries of evangelism in the local church; and
Serve in ministries of mission and evangelism in a variety of cross-cultural contexts among God's people.

This specific ministry focus or specializaiton (24 units) is arranged under the following headings:

MS610-49 Core Electives in Evangelism (6)
MS652 Christian Ministry in a Multicultural Society (3)
MS685 The Church Abroad (6)
MM601-602 Mentored Ministry (4)

Five (5) units of additional course work in missions and evangelism are selected in consultation with the student's advisor in a specific area of vocational concern.

Asbury Theological Seminary

Academic Catalog

Master of Arts in Christian Ministries

DEGREE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

M.A. Core Courses (18)

GENERAL ELECTIVES (18)M.A.X.M. Specialization (24 units)

GENERAL ELECTIVES (18)

M.A.X.M. Specialization (24 units)