What is Ministry?

Dictionary.com defines ministry as "the service, functions, or profession of a minister of religion". Traditionally, a ministry was always led by a classically trained church leader, but this definition of ministry has become obsolete in the 21st century. Our Masters in Ministry degree attempts to broaden the scope of who a "minister" truly is. Not being confined by the four walls of a church building, a true “minister” reaches out to the community and engages them where they live.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Ministry degree at Biblical prepares reflective practitioners, no matter who they are, to be engaged missionally in a variety of ministry settings.

Any person who desires to lead a ministry within their community will be assisted by our core curriculum of practical theology, biblical studies, and theology. In addition, the flexibility of electives offered in this program allows you to custom tailor your education to meet your specific ministry needs.

Why the MA Ministry Degree at Biblical?

Biblical’s unique approach to ministry focuses on our commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ and a generously orthodox faith. We teach ministry from a missional theology perspective, encouraging students to explore the character of God within the context of the unfolding drama of Scripture’s story. Our students are equipped to fully understand the Scriptures and to practically apply them to their own community and context. This is truly a unique learning experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Shape Your Degree into What You Need

Many degree programs have a specific path that you must follow. However, Biblical Seminary's MA in Ministry degree offers a variety of ways to build your education experience. Students can focus on two concentrations of learning (Theology/Leadership or Counseling) to provide the core content of your degree. Within each concentration, nine to twelve credits of electives are required. The electives change from year to year, allowing you to select which courses pertain directly to your ministry.

MA in Ministry Curriculum - Theology/Leadership Concentration
Practical Theology Courses - 21 Credits Formation and Mission Community and Mission Pastoral Counseling Leadership Development Organizations and Change Ministry Internship Seminar & Senior Seminar
Bible and Theology - 15 Credits Introduction to the Christian Tradition Reading the Old Testament Missionally Reading the New Testament Missionally (pre-req., Reading the OT Missionally) Missional Theology 1: God and Creation Missional Theology 2: Reconciliation & Redemption (pre-req., Missional Theology 1)
General Electives - 12 Credits Please be aware that these elective courses vary from year to year. Please see our current term schedules for the classes being offered this year.
Total Required Credits - 48

Students who select the MA in Ministry program without a concentration may choose most of Biblical's offerings as electives. Possible options may include: Worship in Community, Generous Orthodoxy, Biblical Interpretation

MA in Ministry Curriculum - Counseling Concentration
Practical Theology Courses - 18 Credits Formation and Mission Community and Mission Pastoral Counseling or Helping Relationships Leadership Development Ministry Internship Seminar Senior Seminar
Bible and Theology - 15 Credits Introduction to the Christian Tradition Reading the Old Testament Missionally or Biblical Interpretation Reading the New Testament Missionally (pre-req., Reading the OT Missionally) Missional Theology 1: God and Creation Missional Theology 2: Reconciliation & Redemption (pre-req., Missional Theology 1)
Counseling Track Electives - 15 Credits Two Required Courses plus 9 Elective Credits * Psychopathology Human Development A prerequisite for counseling electives is successful completion of Helping Relationships or Pastoral Counseling including a recommendation from the professor. Please be aware that these elective courses vary from year to year. Please see our current term schedules for the classes being offered this year.
Total Required Credits - 48

* MAC Course Policy for Non-MAC Students

Students not in the MAC program who wish to complete core counseling classes [note: this does not limit bible and theology counseling courses) are limited to certificate level courses. These courses include:

• Helping Relationships
• Human Development
• Psychopathology
• Models of Counseling
• Physiology
• Some summer electives

Students wishing to take advanced counseling classes as part of the certificate (i.e., the elective course) such as Marriage and Family, Child and Adolescent must first successfully complete Helping Relationships (or Pastoral Counseling plus receive the recommendation of that professor).

Students wishing to transfer into the MAC program must first complete Helping Relationships (successful completion of triads, mock counseling and the video assignments). Those students who completed the pastoral counseling course must audit Helping Relationships and successfully complete the above assignments.

Students need to be reviewed before they are permitted to transfer into MAC fully, but can be taking courses on the list above.

The counseling concentration is designed to prepare a person to use basic counseling competencies in a church environment. For the licensure-orientated program, see our Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program information.

Notes regarding the program:

• Students must take Formation and Mission within the first year (and preferably within the first 9 credits)
• The Senior Seminar course may be taken only after completion of 30 hours, typically in the student's final year.

For more information, contact admissions at 800.235.4021 or 215.368.5000 x106 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .