Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The purpose of the Master of Divinity degree program is to prepare men and women for effective ministry as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, chaplains, counselors or other ministries. The student is seen as an active learner who is growing while developing his or her own unique gifts and style for ministry. The Degree Program Coordinator is Dr. Jackie Johns. The Master of Divinity program is structured to give each student a balanced exposure to theological studies in three years. The program also provides for flexibility in preparation according to personal calling and needs. A faculty advisor assists the student in selecting the courses most appropriate to the individual’s stage of development, interests, and emerging goals in ministry. The Master of Divinity degree requires the successful completion of 89 semester hours with a GPA of 2.0 or above on a 4-point scale. Up to 44 hours of work may be accepted by transfer of courses from accredited schools with a grade of “C” or better, upon the approval of the Vice President for Academics.
MASTER OF DIVINITY LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon graduation, students will be able to articulate, practice, and lead others to practice Pentecostal Worship, Holy Witness, and Covenant Community.
Pentecostal Worship: Graduates will be able to . . .
- Articulate a biblically-based and historically shaped understanding of the theology and practice of Pentecostal worship.
- With sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, creatively and collaboratively plan and lead believers into theologically faithful and contextually relevant practices of worship.
- Lead congregations in the distinctive practices of Pentecostal worship (including anointing and prayer for the sick, altar services, spiritual gifts, the Lord’s Supper, footwashing, water baptism), leading from within an identifi cation and union with the spirituality of the people.
- Effectively preach and teach the gospel to the variety of generations, cultures, and socio-economic groups in church and society.
- Cultivate participation in the practices of worship in home, community, and marketplace so that worship is integrated into all areas of personal and corporate life: personal, social, private, and public.
Holy Witness: Graduates will be able to . . .
- Lead a lifestyle of personal witness and evangelism in light of the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
Cultivate and develop gifts of evangelism in the local church and other constituencies. - Develop a personal lifestyle and corporate witness to social holiness.
- Practice and lead others in the discipline of prayer for unreached people.
- Lead congregations to discern and participate faithfully in the global mission and witness of the church.
Covenant Community: Graduates will be able to . . .
- community fellowship and hospitality by forming and effectively leading covenant communities (small groups), facilitating conflict resolution, and modeling and nurturing healthy relationships in the local church.
- Articulate a biblical/theological and historically faithful understanding of the corporate identity or koinonia of the church.
- Lead the congregation in discerning God’s will and vision for local church ministry and to administer the ministries and programs of the local church fellowship.
- Understand and implement effective practices of congregational organization and functioning consistent Cultivate with denominational polity and within the system of congregational dynamics.
- Live and minister in accountable relationships with congregations, bishops, pastoral peers, and denominational leaders.
- Articulate an understanding of the holistic nature of gospel practice and the Pentecostal theology of healing.
- Practice and lead others in prayer for the miraculous and in intercessory prayer for the sick and hurting persons.
- Develop counter-cultural communities of faith (contrast societies) for and in the world that manifests a lifestyle of meeting needs, co-suffering, and sacrificial advocacy.
- Create communal environments of holistic healing by leading congregations to respond hospitably and redemptively to the needs and concerns in their context in collaboration with other community resources.
- Provide pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction appropriate to pastoral identity and relevant the needs of persons in institutional (jails, prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, etc.), community, and church contexts.
- Covenant with a community of pastoral peers for continuing personal accountability, mutual care and support, pastoral development, missional collaboration, and living an exemplary moral life in personal financial matters, family relationships, ministerial conduct, and in private life.
- Lead the local congregation in effective practices and ministries of Pentecostal disciple-making.
- Exegete the Scriptures, lead group Bible study, and effectively communicate the Word.
- Practice personal and corporate spiritual disciplines (including prayer, fasting, Bible study, waiting upon God, and personal worship) supportive of Pentecostal spirituality.
- Reflect critically upon their story in light of the truthful biblical story in order to form the individual and the community.
