minary W orld Class Seminary - Bethel Seminary - Bethel University

St. PaulThe Master of Arts inChristian Educationwith Youth MinistriesConcentrationThis concentration is designed forpeople interested in ministry to youngpeople in a church or parachurch setting.In addition to coures in family systems,family ministry, and congregational systems,students in the youth ministriesconcentration also take courses focusingon church and youth, communicatingthe gospel to teens, pastoral care ofyouth, and team leadership.Students in this concentration completean initial practicum in student ministry,followed by a part-time internship thatruns concurrently with their classroomstudies.The degree will be awarded upon thecompletion of the requirements for theMaster of Arts in Christian Education/Youth Ministries as stipulated onpage 40.The Master of Arts inCommunity MinistryLeadershipThose looking to develop a theologicalworldview and practical skills in professionalministry for an urban churchand/or agency setting may seek theMaster of Arts in Community MinistryLeadership degree. This program isdesigned to prepare students for leadershiproles for a wide range of ministryinitiatives for urban and communityoutreach. Students are introduced tocontemporary approaches that are supportedby best practices research andthat continue to afford the church anopportunity to demonstrate the loveof God while building relationshipsthat lead to effective witness for Hiskingdom’s sake. This program helpsstudents develop innovative approachesand strategies for effective ministrywhile also equipping them with anadequate understanding of how thechurch can address human needs froma theological perspective.Contemporary urban and communityministry is multifaceted and entailsreaching many audiences throughmultiple means or forms of ministryfor a single purpose. Complex urbanissues are currently addressed throughsophisticated forms of ministry includingcommunity and economic development,community organizing, youthoutreach, church planting, missionagency relief, disaster relief, businessventures, and housing development.Although each approach to ministrydevelopment requires some measureof specialized training and knowledge,the approaches overlap to some extent.Therefore, this program equips studentsto be change agents with theoreticalgrounding as a foundation plusPhoto by Tara Pattyspecialized transferable skills to meetthe demands for a holistic approach inan urban community context.The Master of Arts in Community MinistryLeadership is appropriate for thoseseeking to be proficient in ministry developmentand who plan to work in anurban church-based or mission agencycontext. Students are expected to havethe ability to do the following:1. assess and address holistic anddevelopmental needs of individuals,families, youth, and children in anurban context;2. identify and evaluate the explicitand implicit theological and theoreticalcomponents of Christianministry and its appropriateness;3. apply community organizing anddevelopment principles for communitybuilding and comprehensiveministry initiatives in an urbancontext;4. facilitate church and communitylevel strategic program planning andimplementation for transformationalministry;5. articulate a practical theology ofministry that communicates Christianvalues and the role of faith andspirituality in public ministry;6. develop essential features for managementand mobilization of aneffective faith-based organization forChristian ministry.The seminary confers a Master of Artsdegree in Community Ministry Leadershipupon students who satisfactorilycomplete the prescribed program-relatedrequirements. These include thecompletion of course requirements,participation in the assessment andevaluation program, the writing of asatisfactory personal statement of faith,achieving a grade point average of C(2.0) or above, financial clearance fromthe business office, and participationin graduation ceremonies. Graduationis not automatic when academicrequirements have been met. Since theseminary aims to graduate men andwomen who qualify as Christian leaders,the faculty and administration willevaluate a student’s qualifications interms of spiritual, doctrinal, and professionalstandards as well as academicstandards.28