Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
Purpose of the Degree
The Association of Theological Schools has established that the purpose of the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree is “to equip persons for competent leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations and other settings.”
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides a basic foundation of study in biblical and theological disciplines, while also preparing students for specialized ministry within and alongside the church (e.g., religious education, youth ministry, or children’s ministry). The degree consists of a minimum of 60 hours and normally requires at least two years of full-time study to complete.
Primary Goals of the Program
The George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University creates a learning environment that shapes scholar-ministers for the Church in the historic orthodox Christian tradition. The Seminary does so in the larger context of a major national research university with a confession rooted in the historic Baptist tradition.
As evidence of the Seminary’s commitment to both its ecclesial and educative contexts, Truett Seminary creates an intentional learning environment that promotes formation, deepens knowledge, and embraces praxis. These three areas--being, knowing, and doing--prove equally foundational and absolutely essential for holistic ministerial formation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be:
- Persons with a developing sense of calling and a growing dedication to the mission of God in the world;
- Persons with a deepening commitment to the life of the church;
- Persons who are continually being formed as followers of Christ, committed to integrating the Christian practices into daily life (e.g., worship, prayers, study, service);
- Persons of high ethical standards regarding their relationship and responsibility to self, family, congregation, colleagues, community, and creation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should know:
- The narrative of Scripture including the contours of the biblical stories of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church, as well as the central themes of creation, fall, redemption, mission, and recreation that shape the narrative;
- The Great Tradition (and traditions) of Christian thought;
- Baptist history and doctrine, while developing an appreciation for the wider ecumenical community;
- Appropriate means for articulating the Christian faith in light of the context in which she or he ministers.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in basic ministry skills, including leading, administration, and conducting public worship and the ordinances of the church;
- Interpret accurately the Christian Scriptures and apply them effectively to ministry tasks (e.g., preaching, teaching, discipleship);
- Reflect critically and theologically upon the acts and experiences of Christian ministry;
- Lead congregations in spiritual formation and discipleship;
- Practice contextual evangelism;
- Participate effectively in God’s mission locally and globally;
- Exercise skillful care of people in the midst of crises, but more broadly, through all stages of life;
- Relate effectively and authentically as a human to humans in the common concerns of life;
- Demonstrate appropriate self-care.
Student Learning Outcomes
The M.A.C.M. degree program provides a basic foundation of study in biblical and theological disciplines, while also preparing students for specialized ministry within and alongside the church (e.g., religious education, youth ministry, or children’s ministry). The outcomes of this degree include:
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of content, context, and interpretation of Christian Scripture.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of both the content and context of the larger Christian tradition.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate active engagement with cultural context and social needs in ways that inform and enrich the practice of Christian witness.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will engage in patterns of practice and belief that will inform and enrich the spiritual life of the minister.
- Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate competency and capacity for integrating theology and ministry leadership in varied contexts.
All applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university and meet the admissions requirements outlined in the Seminary catalog.
Requirements for Major in Christian Ministry (MACM)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Minimum Requirements | (60) | |
| Residence requirements - minimum | (39) | |
| Grade Point Average—minimum of 2.00 or “C” overall in coursework | ||
| Core Course Requirements | ||
| Introductory Courses 1 | ||
| THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| THEO 7341 | Introduction to Christian History and Theology | 3 |
| Spiritual Formation | ||
| PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
| PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
| PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
| PRTH 7004 | Spiritual Formation Retreat | 0 |
| Christian Scriptures | ||
| THEO 7370 | Christian Scriptures I | 3 |
| THEO 7372 | Christian Scriptures II | 3 |
| THEO 7371 | Christian Scriptures III | 3 |
| THEO 7373 | Christian Scriptures IV | 3 |
| Christian Theology | ||
| THEO 7360 | Christian Texts and Traditions I | 3 |
| THEO 7361 | Christian Texts and Traditions II | 3 |
| THEO 7362 | Christian Texts and Traditions III | 3 |
| THEO 7382 | Constructive Theology | 3 |
| Christian Tradition | ||
| THEO 7396 | The Baptist Identity | 3 |
| or WSLY 7310 | Wesleyan Theology and Doctrine | |
| LEAD 7303 | Leadership for Congregational Ministry | 3 |
| or WSLY 7320 | Wesleyan History & Polity | |
| Mentoring | ||
| MENT 7V00 | Mentoring in Ministry | 6 |
| Electives or Concentration | 15 | |
| Electives may be selected from the following: | ||
Any course from CRED, LEAD, PAST, PRCH, PTSM, TEFJ, WOCW, or WSLY prefix | ||
Approved THEO courses 2 | ||
| Wesleyan Worship & Sacraments 3 | ||
| Satisfactory academic progress | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
These are required courses; however, based upon previous academic experience, students may petition to waive or substitute these courses. Introductory courses are waived from the degree plan by passing an advanced standing exam. (See the Advanced Standing Policy.)
- 2
The following THEO courses will be accepted: THEO 7310, THEO 7316, THEO 7317, THEO 7380, THEO 7391, THEO 7V85.
- 3
Students seeking ordination in the Wesleyan tradition are required to take WSLY 7330 as one of their electives.
Each candidate for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry must complete the entire theological studies core and the required concentration hours. Students may choose either the Ministry Leadership concentration or the Sports Ministry concentration. Master of Arts in Christian Ministry students will be placed in the Ministry Leadership concentration at time of enrollment unless they declare on their application their intent to enroll in the Sports Ministry concentration. Students seeking to switch from one concentration to the other must submit a petition to the Director of Academic Services.
Ministry Leadership
Requirements for a Concentration in Ministry Leadership (MACM - Christian Ministry)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students may choose 15 credit hours from the following course prefixes: | 15 | |
CRED, LEAD, MUS, PAST, PRCH, PRTH, PTSM, TEFJ, WOCW, WSLY 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Students seeking ordination in the Wesleyan tradition are required to take WSLY 7330 as one of their electives.
Sports Ministry
The Concentration requirements are as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PTSM 7320 | Theology and Philosophy of Sports Ministry | 3 |
| PTSM 7333 | Integration of Faith and Sports | 3 |
| PTSM 7354 | Theological Ethics of Chaplaincy | 3 |
| PTSM 7366 | Soul Care in Sports | 3 |
| Elective or WSLY 7330 * | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- *
Students seeking ordination in the Wesleyan tradition are required to take this course as their elective.
Emphases
Truett offers numerous specialized courses from a variety of ministry areas. Students may pursue an emphasis in these particular areas:
- Congregational Ministry
- Cross Cultural Ministry
- Family Ministries
- Music Leadership in Worship
- Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
While these are not formal degree concentrations, they offer students an opportunity to curate their degree towards their specific ministry context. Course recommendations for each emphasis are available in the office of Academic Services, from Program Directors, or from Truett Faculty.