Master of Arts - Missions: New Church Development Track (Online)

The Master of Arts in Missions: New Church Development Track teaches knowledge about, and develops skills and behaviors needed for the development of new churches.

Through two years of full-time academic study, fieldwork, and close mentoring, the program intends to achieve the following outcomes in its graduates. These outcomes are in addition to the standard theological, biblical, and historical outcomes intended for all M.A. degrees.

This track is offered at the seminary's campus in Grand Rapids; however, the seminary intends to offer substantial portions of the program by distance education. Inquiries about distance education should be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Intended Outcomes (show | hide)

Cognitive Biblical and Reformed perspectives on new church development

  Areas: Strategic development of new churches
    Knowledge of cultures internal and external to new churches
  Skills: Proven evangelistic/discipling behaviors
    Start a church or coach church planters
    Cross-cultural interfacing
    Coaching skills
  Behaviors: Demonstrated behaviors for ongoing spiritual formation
    Behaviors necessary for church planting
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Admission Requirements (show | hide)

  1. Academic requirements
     
    1. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college with a grade-point average of 2.67 (B-) or higher;

    2. Endorsement for new church development by the appropriate judicatory of the student's denomination or, for members of unaffiliated churches, the student's local church.

      Christian Reformed students are encouraged to seek endorsement by Christian Reformed Home Missions as a potential New Church Developer (requires participation in CRHM formal and informal assessment processes).

    3. Must meet the general regulations for admission to Calvin Theological Seminary as stated under "Admissions and Expenses: General Regulations."  
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Program Requirements (show | hide)

To provide a holistic preparation for ministry, the Master of Arts in Missions:New Church Development has three major components: Courses requirements to provide intellectual development and development in ministry abilities; Field Education to provide practical experiences in a supervised format; and Readiness for Ministry to provide a small group setting in which students explore a wide variety of questions and develop close friendships and prayer partners.

Much of this program is available online.

  1. Course requirements
    Division Course Quarter Hours
    Biblical 110 Narrative Law and History 4
      120 Poetry and Prophets 4
      210 The New Testament Letters for Christian Life and Ministry 4
      220 The Gospels for Christian Life and Ministry 4
      230 Interpreting the Bible for Christian Life and Ministry 3

    Theological
    310
    Church History Survey
    4
      403 Introduction to Christian Doctrine 3
        One of the following two: 3
        (prerequisite: 403)
        477 Ecumenical Creeds and Confessions  
        491 The Heidelberg Catechism  
        (Students not seeking to serve a congregation in the CRCNA may substitute one of the following three core courses in systematic theology for one of the previous two courses on creeds and confessions.)
      One of the following three: 3
      (prerequisite: 403)
      415 The Doctrine of God and Creation
      425 The Doctrine of Christ/Salvation
      435 The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Church and Kingdom
      (Students may substitute a systematic theology departmental elective for one of the above three courses with special permission from the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the course instructor.)
      521 Fundamental Apologetics 3
      531 Basic Christian Ethics 3

    Ministry
    600
    Foundations in Ministry I
    3
      601 Foundations in Ministry II 3
      6xx Course in Worship 3
      7xx Course in Pastoral Care 3
      7xx Course in Educational Ministry 3
      813 New Church Development in North America 3
      820 The Gospel and World Religions 3
     
      895 Introduction to M.A. Research Project in Missions 3
      896 M.A. Research Project 3
        Three Electives in Missiology 9

    General    		  
    Two Electives from any department
    6
        Total (quarter) hours 80
  2. Field-education requirements
  3. Comprehensive examinations

    In addition to taking regular quarter examinations, candidates for the M.A. in Missions:NCD degree are required to sustain two comprehensive examinations: a written examination on Bible content and a one-hour oral examination by representative members of the faculty. Specific rules are found in the Student Handbook.

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