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Master of Arts - Missions: New Church Development - Frequently Asked Questions

Calvin Theological Seminary in partnership with Christian Reformed Home Missions wishes to introduce you to a new degree program, designed specifically to provide education to those whom God has called to develop new churches. This Master of Arts in Missions with a focus on New Church Development is not a traditional classroom oriented program. It combines the best of various forms of learning - some face-to-face sessions, some classes that meet online, and in-depth field education under the guidance of a qualified mentor. Students remain rooted in their communities and maintain their active ministries and community and family life.

Calvin Theological Seminary, Christian Reformed Home Missions, and Reformed Bible College have partnered together so that each can utilize the other's strengths and provide a learning opportunity in which students not only receive an education which leads to a degree but also learn how to develop new churches.

Accreditation

Calvin Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and is seeking specific approval for this program from the accrediting agency. Accreditation and licensing documents may be viewed in the Office of the President. To obtain copies, make the request of the Office of the President. Please allow 30 days for processing.

Course Requirements (show | hide)

Questions

1. What's the purpose of the program? The purpose of the New Church Development (NCD) program is to provide a degree for people who feel called by God to develop new churches and expand God's kingdom. The NCD program teaches knowledge about and develops skills and behaviors needed for the development of new churches.
2. How are courses offered? Many of the courses are offered online through Calvin Theological Seminary; however, some courses must be taken face-to-face on campus. In addition, through the field education component, students put into practice what they learn through their course work. The program is, therefore, a "distributed" education program because it involves a variety of educational venues. The courses that Calvin Theological Seminary intends to offer online are the courses specifically required for the degree. Look through the timetable below to see which courses will be available online. Students should contact the NCD Program Director to find out which courses are offered during a particular term.
3. Is training available for taking online courses? Yes. The seminary recommends that all those considering enrolling in online courses take the tutorial offered at the emoderator's web site: http://www.emoderators.com/dltutorial/index.shtml. This site provides excellent training for students and provides insight on how to take and successfully complete online courses. All students should take this training prior to enrolling in an online course.
4. What degree do I receive? The NCD program is a specific concentration within the Master of Arts in Missions degree. Graduates of this program receive an M.A. in Missions, with a concentration in New Church Development.
5. How is the program structured? There are essentially five parts to the NCD program. First, three courses are required to be taken on Calvin Theological Seminary's campus in Grand Rapids, MI . Second, Calvin Theological Seminary intends to place all the required core courses online. Third, students can take a number of electives to complete the number of courses needed for the degree. Fourth, students gain practical experience under the guidance of a mentor. Fifth, students must write a master's thesis paper and pass two comprehensive examinations.
6. What are the residency requirements? The program requires that students take three classes on campus. Students can meet the residency requirements by taking one class per summer for three summers. Calvin Theological Seminary offers a number of condensed courses throughout the summer. The seminary suggests that students start their program by taking Ministry 813 during their first summer in the program.
7. What electives are available? Students may fill elective slots in a number of ways. Students could take additional courses in Grand Rapids during the regular academic year or during a condensed summer session. Students may also take courses at another accredited seminary and transfer the credits. (Students exploring this option should receive prior approval from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.) Calvin Theological Seminary periodically offers courses in various areas around the United States and Canada . Students could participate in those courses as well. These are not widely available, so students should contact the seminary for more information about opportunities.
8. What is a mentoring relationship? The seminary expects that students will be involved in a new church development position, whether paid or volunteer, during their schooling. To be best prepared for church development, students need both the academic preparation of the courses and the practical, hands-on training of ministry. To achieve this goal, Calvin Theological Seminary requires that students be guided through the field education by a qualified mentor. Twenty units of Field Education are required for this program.
9. What is expected of the mentor? Calvin Theological Seminary expects that students would be in contact with their mentor at least once per week. The mentor should be intimately aware of the student's work and abilities and be able to provide face-to-face guidance. Mentors also provide the seminary with regular evaluations on the student's progress.
10. Who can be a mentor? Anyone with new church development experience can be a mentor. The person need not be an ordained pastor; however, the seminary expects that mentors have ample new church development experience and some educational training and/or experience
11. Who chooses a mentor? The student chooses the mentor. The seminary suggests that the student look for someone with new church development experience or someone hired by the student's denomination for the purpose of developing churches.
12. Do mentors need to be approved by the seminary? Mentors need to be endorsed by the seminary. The mentor is a crucial factor in the success of the program, and Calvin Theological Seminary wishes to support the mentor as well as the student. Calvin wishes to work closely with students; therefore, students have final say over who is their mentor.
13. What does the seminary do for the mentors? The seminary is developing training materials to help mentors perform their role better. We seek to offer an online community for the mentors so that mentors have the ability to share with each other, thereby developing a network of new church development experts, working together for the expansion of God's kingdom.
14. What is the timeline for completing the degree? Students who take two to three courses per quarter can complete all the coursework within three to four years (including taking summer courses). A list of the course requirements for completing the degree is found below. A timeline for completing the course work in three years is found later in this brochure.
15. How do I apply for this program? Those who hold bachelor's degrees from an accredited college or university may apply to the NCD program at Calvin Theological Seminary. Applicants should use the seminary's application and recommendations forms. These forms can be completed online or can be downloaded (pdf) if you prefer to complete them by hand.
16. What are the admission requirements? Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a grade point average of 2.67 (B-) or higher. Applicants must be endorsed for new church development by the appropriate judicatory of the student's denomination or, for members of unaffiliated churches, the student's local church. Applicants from the Christian Reformed Church are encouraged to seek endorsement by Christian Reformed Home Missions as a potential New Church Developer.
17. What if I don't have a bachelor's degree? Reformed Bible College (RBC) is working in cooperation with Calvin Theological Seminary and Christian Reformed Home Missions to offer a bachelor's degree program for students interested in new church development. Students interested in this program should contact RBC at 800-511-3749 or email at admissions@reformed.edu.
18. How do I get started? You must first apply for admission to either Calvin Theological Seminary or Reformed Bible College. After you are admitted, the NCD Program Director will provide registration details.
19. What class is first? 813 (New Church Development in North America) is the first class you take. It is offered only on campus, not online. Having face-to-face interaction at the beginning of the program is a great way to get started, and we can help you better map out an academic program.
20. Why start an online program with a residential course? It does seem a bit odd to begin an online degree program with a residential class; however, this way you meet your fellow students and your professors. You develop relationships quickly that would take longer online. Also, the seminary can work with you to develop long range goals for accomplishing the program. Student orientation to the program and to the delivery system is offered at this time as well.
21. When is 813 offered? 813 is offered in a two-week concentrated format during one of the seminary's summer sessions.
22. Do you offer housing? The seminary currently has arrangements with local hotels for reduced rates. Students admitted to the NCD program will work directly with the NCD Program Director to arrange housing.
23. Who can sign up for classes? Only students who have been admitted either for study at Calvin Theological Seminary or Reformed Bible College may enroll in the online courses.
24. How do I sign up for classes? Because of the newness of the program, Calvin Theological Seminary does not yet have an online registration option. Students must contact the NCD Program Director at the seminary to enroll in classes.
25. How much does it cost? Current tuition information for Calvin Theological Seminary is found at the Financial Aid web page.
26. What about an internet connection? Calvin Theological Seminary does not cover the cost of a student's computer nor an internet connection nor any other costs related to getting online and accessing course material. Courses are designed specifically for internet deployment. Students do not need to buy special software to access course materials. Any standard internet browser software and free plug ins will work.
27. Are scholarships available? Calvin Theological Seminary does not offer financial aid to students taking courses online. Christian Reformed Home Missions does have some scholarships available, and students should contact Home Missions (800-266-2175, x825) to request additional information.
28. When are payments due? 50% of the tuition payment is due with registration. Final payments are due by October 15 for fall quarter, January 15 for winter quarter, and April 15 for spring quarter. Students signing up for summer courses should pay 50% with registration and 50% at the start of the class.
29. How do I obtain books? Book lists are available in the syllabus of each course, and students may purchase books online through the Virtual Bookstore link at the Calvin Theological Seminary web site or through other online book sellers.
30. What happens after I send in my registration? After students register, the seminary will provide students with login information and instructions. Using these instructions, students can access course syllabi and assignments online. These instructions will be sent at least two weeks prior to the start of class.
31. How are courses delivered over the internet? Professors focus on text-based delivery mechanisms. Some professors include streaming audio and video with their courses; however, the goal is to provide students with easy access to courses without concerns over modem speeds and other potential difficulties with internet connections.
32. What are assignments like? Professors are generally assigning projects and papers, as opposed to tests and quizzes. Projects generally focus on helping students apply what they are learning. For the tests that do exist within some courses, a student's mentor can proctor the test.
33. How much time do I have to complete a given course? The courses are meant to be completed within a given quarter. This means that the online courses follow the same academic calendar as the courses on the seminary campus. Each quarter is ten weeks long, including a final examination and/or paper.
34. How do I handle incompletes? It is within the discretion of the instructor, upon request from the student for acceptable reasons, to extend the final due date for course work by three school days. The student may receive a further extension and a grade of "incomplete" only when the Admissions and Standards Committee, prior to the examination period, has approved a contract signed by the student, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the instructor. A contract must include the reasons for the extension and the new due date. Acceptable reasons are limited to unusual considerations such as illness, hardship, or emergency. Verification may be required. Failure to fulfill a contract will ordinarily result in a grade of "F".
35. How do I obtain login information? You need to be admitted to the NCD degree program, and you need to register for a course. The seminary will then send you a username, password, and login instructions for your course.
36. Can I view a sample course? No, the seminary does not currently offer sample courses for viewing.
37. How do I get more information? To obtain an application and additional information, contact Calvin Theological Seminary at 800-388-6034 (within the U.S. or Canada) and ask for the Recruitment Office