Master of Arts - Ministry - Specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication
Wesley Seminary’s specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication is designed to equip pastors, church leaders, and current or future church planters with the training needed to start a new church, campus, or fresh expression of incarnational ministry, and/or to strengthen established churches or reinvigorate struggling churches by infusing them with a biblical vision for a healthy multiplying church.
In addition to the MA in Ministry learning outcomes, students with a specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication should, with graduate-level competency, be able to:
- Analyze cultural and contextual trends to maximize missional effectiveness
- Create strategies for developing fresh expressions of church
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ministry major begins with completing application forms and submitting them with official transcripts and two personal recommendations. The Wesley Seminary shall determine admission status from the completed forms and student file and notify the applicant in writing of the admission status granted. Regular admission to the seminary constitutes admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. The basic criteria for regular admission to the MA program within the seminary are as follows:
- A baccalaureate or master's degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body, the Association for Biblical Higher Education, or international theological accrediting associations affiliated with the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education.
- A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 from the degree granting institution.
- An official transcript from the degree granting institution.
- Two recommendations including:
- One from a pastor or denominational supervisor.
- A general recommendation.
- A three to four page autobiography and statement of ministry purpose. The statement of purpose should reflect one's sense of God's direction in relation to Christian ministry or service.
- A signed Ministry Context form.
Program Requirements
- Students must have completed all required courses before enrolling in the MA Capstone course (MIN-691). Registration in the MA Capstone will be cancelled for any students who fail to satisfactorily complete all required MA courses.
- All requirements for the degree must be completed within ten years of enrollment
Transfer Credit
- A maximum of nine hours may be transferred from another accredited master's program, provided it falls within seven years prior to admission.
- Students who have taken equivalent courses in their undergraduate program to BIBL-500 The Bible as Christian Scripture, THEO-500 Introduction to Christian Theology, and CHST-500 Global Christian History will be allowed/encouraged to substitute an advanced Bible, theology, or church history elective.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of core requirements.
- Minimum grade of "C" in each core and elective course.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
- Successful completion of the Bible Content Exam with a 70% or higher.
- All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of enrollment.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
MA Program of Study (36 Hours)
Core Courses
Practical Ministry - 3 Hours
Biblical Studies - 3 Hours
| BIBL-500 | The Bible as Christian Scripture | 3 |
Church History - 3 Hours
Theological Studies - 3 Hours
| THEO-500 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
Intercultural Competency - 3 Hours
Spiritual Formation - 4 Hours
| SPIR-500 | Spiritual Formation: Change & Transformation | 1 |
| SPIR-520 | Spiritual Formation: Self Awareness & Appraisal | 1 |
| SPIR-540 | Spiritual Formation: Goal Setting & Accountability | 1 |
| SPIR-560 | Spiritual Formation: Mentoring & Spiritual Direction | 1 |
Capstone - 2 Hours
Specialization in Church Planting and Multiplication
This specialization consists of four courses: one required course and three courses from Church Planting and Multiplication electives.
Required Course
Must take this course.
| MISS-550 | Foundations of Church Planting and Multiplication | 3 |
Church Planting and Multiplication Electives
Must take at least 9 hours.
| MISS-530 | Preparing Leaders to Plant Churches | 6 |
| MISS-540 | Evangelism in Context | 3 |
| MISS-552 | The Calling, Character, and Competency of a Church Multiplier | 3 |
| MISS-553 | Initiating New Church Plants, Sites, and Fresh Expressions | 3 |
| MISS-554 | Maximizing the Post-Launch Phase | 3 |
| CONG-525 | Newcomer Integration | 3 |
| LEAD-558 | Missional Growth and Multiplication | 3 |
| LEAD-565 | Emerging Trends in Church Multiplication | 3 |
| MIN-559 | Staying Power: Leading a Church Through Change | 3 |
Elective
-
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
