Master of Strategic Ministry

Students explore the biblical and theological nature of the church and its mission to the world, analyze how contemporary churches attempt to fulfill this mission, and develop strategies for churches to effectively pursue the mission in their own contexts.

Students research biblical and contemporary teaching about leadership competencies such as mission, vision and strategy. They evaluate best practices among churches, other organizations, and exemplary leaders, and formulate their own philosophies for strategic Christian leadership.

Students research biblical and contemporary teaching related to the effective management of people, resources, and programs. They evaluate best practices among churches, other organizations, and exemplary managers, and formulate their own philosophies for strategic Christian management.

Students analyze how Christians can cooperate with the Holy Spirit to further their own spiritual development, examine and implement spiritual practices, and develop plans for continued spiritual growth. *

Students may substitute CMSM 5323 Bible Lands, a class with a formative emphasis built around a trip to Israel, and pay a course fee equivalent to the trip’s cost.

Students evaluate best practices in self-understanding, self-leadership, self-care, and life-long learning from a biblical, Christian perspective. They develop plans for immediate application and continued growth in these areas.

This course leads students to identify a ministry need in a specific ministry context, review relevant literature, and plan a project to address the need.

This course leads students to integrate what they have learned throughout their coursework into a hands-on ministry project that addresses an identified need in a specific ministry context, and to describe, assess, and reflect on the project through a written paper.

Choose from the following specialty areas. Students may choose to do three sets of field experience at 4 credits each, or they may choose to do six sets of field experience at 2 credits each. Students who choose 12 elective credits from a particular area earn a concentration in that field (12 credits):

Children’s Ministry
Church Leadership
Missions Ministry
Pastoral Ministry
Special Needs Ministry
Sports Ministry
Student Ministry
Worship Ministry