Master of Ministry

(MMin, 43-45 semester hours)

 

Introduction: The Master of Ministry (MMin) is a graduate degree designed to provide students with the necessary theological education, spiritual formation, and practical training needed to assume leadership roles within the Anglican Church (though other traditions are welcome), including, but not limited to, ordained ministry. It is built upon a bachelor’s degree with a major in a theological discipline (30 semester hours, including at least one course each in Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey Systematic Theology, and Church History). However, students without the necessary hours in a theological discipline can be admitted but will be required to take additional courses to meet the 30 semester hour requirement.

 

Program Goal: The goal of the MMin program is to provide fully-equipped lay and ordained Anglican leaders for effective Great Commission ministry in the Anglican Church through high quality theological education, spiritual formation, and ministry training to students in their local congregations.

 

Program Objectives

MMin program graduates will be able to …

• Based upon the authority of the Word of God, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ: that one is saved by grace through faith; that He is the way, the truth, and the life; and that there is salvation only in His name. Curricular elements: All BIB courses, THE 501, THE 601, THE 603; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• If called to ordained ministry, faithfully perform the sacramental and pastoral duties within an Anglican context. If called to a lay vocation, faithfully perform the ministry to which the graduate has been called, again within an Anglican context. Curricular elements: THE 606, MIN 601, MIN 603, MIN 604; Mentoring Program; INT 601
• As appropriate for the graduate’s vocation, lead the Church in the worship of God the Holy Trinity in spirit, in truth, and in the beauty of holiness, especially through the use of the Book of Common Prayer. Curricular elements: THE 606, MIN 101, and MIN 601; Mentoring Program; INT 501 or INT 601.
• Disciple and form Christians to continually grow in the grace of God and Christ-like character. Curricular elements: MIN 502; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• Provide missional leadership for the Church’s outreach to the lost, the un-churched, and the under-churched. Curricular elements: MIN 604, MIN 605; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• Serve as a prophetic voice in leading the Church’s witness to society. Curricular elements: THE 605; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• Competently teach the Word of God and, if called to ordained ministry or otherwise licensed by a bishop, to preach the same. Curricular elements: All BIB courses, MIN 602, MIN 605, MIN 606; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• Know, understand, communicate, and apply the disciplines of Biblical, Theological, and Ministry studies from an Anglican perspective. Curricular elements: BIB 604, THE 503, THE 601, THE 603; Mentoring Program; INT 601.
• Exercise personal spiritual disciplines in order to fulfill God’s call to ministers to be holy, faithful, and loving. Curricular elements: THE 504, Mentoring Program, INT 601.
• Understand and communicate the distinctives of Anglican doctrine and history and thus develop an Anglican ethos and contextual framework for ministry. Curricular elements: BIB 604, THE 502, THE 601, THE 603; Mentoring Program; INT 601.

 

Length of Program: Although it is possible for students who are without deficiencies in the admissions requirement to complete this program over a two year period, the MMin is normally completed over a timeframe of four years. In order to accomplish this, the student should take an average of six semester hours of academic courses each semester, plus complete one year of internship. It is recommended that the student complete the internship during the second year of study. Students have a maximum of six years to complete this program. Extensions may be authorized by the Dean.

 

Program Policies

Admission Requirements•

• Accredited BA (or equivalent); under certain limited circumstances students without a BA (or its equivalent) who are at least 35 years old may be admitted into this program, but they must meet all other requirements and satisfactorily complete the Application for BA Equivalency .
• At least 30 semester hours, undergraduate and/or graduate, in a theological discipline; students without the necessary prerequisite 30 semester hours must take additional ASM courses to satisfy this requirement.

o Examples of acceptable prerequisite courses include Bible, theology, church history, and ministry studies.

o Of the prerequisite courses, the student must have completed at least one introductory course each in Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, and Church History, or their equivalents.

o At the discretion of the Dean, up to 9 semester hours in non-ministry or non-theologically based education, counseling, or philosophy courses may be eligible for consideration for credit toward the prerequisite requirement.

•  A completed application package together with all the relevant fees.
• Approval of the relevant ecclesiastical authority and membership in a Christian church which is orthodox in doctrine.

ASM Graduates: Students holding an ASM certificate or diploma may have their coursework in those programs applied toward the requirements of the MMin, as applicable, providing that they first surrender their previous ASM qualifications. Such students are required to meet all the other Program Policies, including submitting a new application for admission. Under this provision, ASM graduates are regarded as students applying for a program change and not as transfer students.

Current or Previous ASM Students: Students are currently or were previously enrolled in an ASM program or as special students, but who have not completed that program, may apply for a program change and have their courses, as applicable, apply toward the requirements of the MMin.

Program Emphases: Students will select one of the following areas of emphases for their degree program—Pastoral Ministry (Presbyterate), Pastoral Ministry (Permanent Diaconate), or Christian Education.

Transfer of Credit: Up to 12 semester hours at the graduate level (over and above admissions requirement) plus up to 6 semester hours for credit for life experience (see below).

Credit for Life Experience: 2 semester hours may be awarded toward INT 601 for each year of non-Anglican ordained or licensed full-time ministry experience, up to a maximum of 4 semester hours. 3 semester hours may be awarded toward INT 601 for each year of Anglican ordained or licensed full-time ministry experience, up to a maximum of 6 semester hours. Credit for part time ministry may be awarded on a prorated basis. Ministry experience must be certified according to provisions established by the Dean.

Advanced Standing: With the approval of the Dean, students who have taken courses at the undergraduate level equivalent to the MMin required courses may substitute other 500 and 600 level course in lieu thereof.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete all required course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7; students with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher will receive their degree “with honors.”
• All student financial obligations are paid in full.
• Maintain a consistent Christian witness and ecclesiastical endorsement.
• Receive the approval of the Dean and faculty.

 

Course Requirements

*Courses offered to meet prerequisite or elective requirements

Biblical Studies

Required Courses: BIB 505, BIB 604, BIB 605, and BIB 606.
BIB 501 Old Testament Survey*
BIB 502 New Testament Survey*
BIB 505 Using Exegetical Tools
BIB 604 Theology of Scripture
BIB 605 Advanced Topics in Old Testament Exegesis
BIB 606 Advanced Topics in New Testament Exegesis

Theological Studies

Required Courses: THE 601, THE 603, THE 605, and THE 606.
THE 501 Introduction to Systematic Theology*
THE 503 Introduction to Church History*
THE 601 Theology of the Articles of Religion
THE 603 History of Anglicanism
THE 605 Moral Theology
THE 606 Sacramental Theology

THE 607 Advanced Topics in Theological Studies*

Ministry Studies

• Pastoral Ministry (Presbyterate): MIN 101, MIN 102 (if required), MIN 103, MIN 502, MIN 601, MIN 603, and MIN 605.
• Pastoral Ministry (Permanent Diaconate): MIN 101, MIN 102 (if required), MIN 103, MIN 501, MIN 601, MIN 602 or MIN 603, and MIN 605 or MIN 606.
• Christian Education: MIN 102 (if required), MIN 103, MIN 504, MIN 602, MIN 606 plus 1 other course.

 

MIN 101 Liturgics Workshop
MIN 102 Theological Research and Writing Methodology (if required by the Dean, based upon student’s previous education)
MIN 103 Introduction to Mentoring for Ministry Formation
MIN 501 Ministry of the Deacon
MIN 502 History and Practice of Anglican Polity
MIN 504 History and Practice of Christian Spiritual Formation
MIN 601 Anglican Worship
MIN 602 Christian Education
MIN 603 Pastoral Care
MIN 604 Missiology*
MIN 605 Homiletics
MIN 606 Teaching Methodology for Christian Education
MIN 607 Church Planting*
MIN 608 Advanced Topics in Ministry Studies*

 

Internship

INT 601a Internship 1st semester
INT 601b Internship 2nd semester
INT 601c Internship 3rd semester

Students desiring additional studies beyond our MMin are encouraged to contact Dr. Quay about our distance learning MA  and MTh/PhD program agreements the accredited London School of Theology and South African Theological Seminary.