The Youth Ministry track seeks to develop skilled youth ministry practitioners with a solid biblical and theological foundation. Hence, instruction will be provided by youth ministry practitioners familiar with both biblical and field-tested perspectives.

In addition to the Master of Arts in Specialized Ministry Core Outcomes, the Youth Ministry Track attempts to achieve specific outcomes:

• Know the biblical/theological/philosophical basis for the strategy of youth ministry that best fits the context of their ministry.
• Know how to study youth culture and adolescent development and make effective application of that knowledge.
• Be able to design strategies to effectively reach youth with the Gospel and be an agent of change who contributes to spiritual transformation of youth.
• Be able to manage a youth ministry in a skilled manner as part of a team.
• Be able to design strategies to effectively incorporate youth into congregational life.

Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Seminary given on pages 18-19 (of the catalog), applicants for the M.A. program are expected to present an accredited baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), including a breadth of liberal arts. Applicants who do not meet these general academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for consideration. A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor and three personal recommendations regarding the applicant’s Christian character and leadership potential also are required.

Degree Requirements
The M.A. in Specialized Ministry degree is conferred upon the attainment of certain personal and academic requirements. In addition to the general seminary requirements outlined on page 30 (of the catalog), degree candidates must (1) give evidence of a genuine Christian character, orthodox belief, and conduct consistent with a God-given call to a position of leadership; (2) complete all courses in the prescribed M.A. in Specialized Ministry curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall. By careful planning, students may complete their studies in four semesters.

The program requires 60 semester hours of coursework:

M.A. Specialized Ministry
Spiritual formation: 6 hours
SFS 501	Learning to Love God and Others	2
SFS 502	Practicing Prayer & Other Key Disciplines	2
SFS 504	Growing Into Ethical Maturity	2
Biblical Interpretation studies: 16 hours
DBS 506	Learning to Interpret Scripture	4
BLS 501	Interpreting Genesis to Song of Solomon	4
BLS 502	Interpreting the Prophets to Gospels	4
BLS 503	Interpreting Acts to Revelation	4
Theological studies: 10 hours
THS 501	Knowing the Triune God: Theo 1	4
THS 502	Glorifying the God of Our Salvation: Theo 2	4
THS 503	Living as the Community of Spirit: Theo 3	2
Ministerial Core studies: 12hours
Required: 4 hours
DMS 501	Thinking Theologically about Ministry	2
DMS 506	Developing Godly Leadership for 21st C.	2
Restricted Electives: 8 hours (Select 8 hours from the following)
DIS 501	Communicating Christ in Culture	2
DMS 502	Introducing Theology and Practice of Worship	2
EMS 505	Growing Disciples Intentionally	2
PTS 503	Practicing Evangelism and Apologetics	2
PTS 504	Maximizing Church’s Redemptive Influence	2
PTS 507	Providing Pastoral Counseling	2
PTS 508	Developing Strong Families	2
PTS 510	Preparing / Preach Expository Sermons	2
Mentored Ministry: 6 hours
MFM 500	Discovering & Developing Ministry Potential	2
MFM 501-4	Mentored Field Ministry	4
YMS Specialization Track: 8 hours (Select 8 hours)
YMS 501	Understanding Adolescent Development	2
YMS 502	Developing a Theological Model for 21st C. Youth	2
YMS 503	Managing Youth Ministry	2
YMS 504	Communicating to Youth	1
YMS 505	Issues for 21st Century Youth Ministry	1
YMS 506	Spiritual Formation of Youth	1
CNS 546	Counseling Adolescents	1
Open Electives: 2 hours
M.A. Specialized program total: 60 hours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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