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Master of Divinity
Educational goals
Graduates with an MDiv:
- Are grounded in and are continuously formed by the Bible.
- Engage their historical and theological traditions in the context of the larger Christian church.
- Are formed by a continuing encounter with God.
- Demonstrate personal integrity and authority in ministry.
- Understand and creatively engage their ministry context.
- Lead the church in fulfilling its missional calling.
Purpose
The three-year Master of Divinity curriculum prepares men and women for ministerial leadership of a congregation and for church leadership more broadly. The program is designed to develop spiritually mature, Spirit-led leaders to care for and guide the church. Concentrations with modified plans of study are available in pastoral care and counseling, mission and evangelism, youth ministry, and theological studies. The latter includes possible majors in Bible, theology and ethics, church history, and peace and justice studies.
Whether one serves God as a pastor or evangelist in a congregation, a chaplain, a pastoral counselor or social worker, a preacher or a teacher of the church, or a youth minister, a ministerial vocation involves careful listening to the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ in a specific time and place and accepting the responsibility to mediate God’s reign.
Education for ministerial leadership, therefore, involves attention not only to a student’s growth in theological discernment and competency in ministry, but also attention to the development of character, sense of call, pastoral identity, spiritual depth, and commitment to service in the name of Christ.
Preparation for pastoral service in the Believers Church tradition includes more than developing the ability to bring pastoral presence to individuals. It also seeks to enable students to provide insight and direction for worship life, group planning and decision-making, preaching and teaching, healing, and forgiving and peacemaking work needed in congregations and church organizations. Such pastoral leadership assists the spiritual growth of groups of believers, building them together into a “dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22) and for service in the world.
More information
For detailed information, please review the AMBS Catalog, (p. 28 to 41) and the following fact sheets:
