Graduate Faculty
John Han, Ph.D., Professor of English and Creative Writing; Chair – Humanities Division; Editor – Intégrité: A Faith and Learning Journal; Editor – Cantos
Matthew C. Easter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Bible
Curtis McClain, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Bible; Director of Christian Studies
Andy Chambers, Ph.D., Professor of Bible; Senior Vice President for Student Development/Associate Provost
“fides quaerens intellectum”
Mission Statement
The Religion faculty of Missouri Baptist University desires to assist churches in developing leaders with Christ-like characteristics so that they can extend Christ-like influence, by providing a master’s degree which is foundational and practical. This course of study has been designed in an effort to emphasize applicability to life, orientation toward the church, and fidelity to the biblical revelation.
Overview
Applicability to Life
The intellectual discipline of theology has often been separated from the experience of human life which is lived before God. The ultimate concern of theology should be with God in his relationship with humans, and thus with human life as it is lived before God, hence one’s life as lived unto God. Theological study should involve not only correct thinking about God but also good living before God. It should involve a consideration of the question, “How can we use what we learn to glorify God, to live well before him, to do his will, to cause his name to be honored in the world, and to enjoy him?”
Orientation toward the Church
Theological study has been relegated to the academy and is often divorced from the life of the church. At a distance of two millennia from the New Testament era, there may indeed be a need for special training for those who minister the Word of God; but the New Testament itself does not envision any locus for such training apart from the local congregation. In a time when professionalization and academic credentials are emphasized, the study of theology needs to be undertaken as an adjunct of church life, with a concern for the church, and with the goal of feeding theological truth back into the church.
Fidelity to the Biblical Revelation
Modern theological study has often taken its cues from the surrounding culture instead of occupying the ground established by divine revelation and thus speaking an alien word to the culture. In recent times this has meant surrendering the concept of “truth” and acceding to the relativism of modern thought, relegating “religion” to the realm of subjective personal preference. In contrast, the core of a common Christian theology must be seen as the expression of divinely-revealed truth, valid for and making claims upon all people.
Online Program
Many classes are offered face-to-face as well as online. Students pursuing the MACM will have the option of completing the program online or through a hybrid approach that blends both online and classroom instruction.
Summary of the Master’s Degree Process
To earn the MACM degree, a student must complete each of the following steps:
- The student must develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor.
- The student must complete all coursework included in the plan of study.
- An Application for Graduation, signed by the student, Graduate Advisor and Vice President for Graduate Studies, must be filed with the Graduate Office and the Records Office.
- Students must pay the required graduation fee. Students are encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled the first Tuesday evening after the last Saturday in April of each academic year. Students must notify the Vice President for Graduate Studies and the Director of Records if they choose not to participate. Students must pay the graduation fee whether they attend commencement or not.
- All graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in order to graduate from the program.
Transfer Students/Transfer Credit
Transfer credits must have been earned within the seven (7) years prior to entry into the Graduate Studies Program. Transfer credits must be approved by the Graduate Advisor and the Division Chair or Program Director and must have grades of A, B, S, CR, or P. Students may not take courses from other graduate programs while enrolled at Missouri Baptist without written approval from the Vice President for Graduate Studies.
Students entering the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) degree program may transfer up to nine (9) graduate credits into the Missouri Baptist University Graduate Studies Program from another regionally accredited college or university. The total hours transferred to Missouri Baptist, including courses from other programs while enrolled, may not exceed nine (9) hours. Students must complete at least thirty (30) hours of credit at Missouri Baptist University. Coursework completed at colleges/universities or other postsecondary institutions which are not regionally accredited, but which are accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be evaluated on an individual basis in keeping with whether or not the course would be appropriate to apply toward a master’s program at Missouri Baptist University.
The University only recognizes institutions accredited by the current edition of Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education published by the CHEA and the American Council on Education.
Directed Studies
Qualified students are permitted to engage in directed studies under graduate faculty supervision. Under this arrangement, students are enabled to explore subjects in depth, or examine new areas of study, beyond the opportunity afforded by the University’s curriculum. In some cases, catalog courses may be offered as directed studies. Graduate students may not earn more than six (6) credit hours of directed study in their master’s program unless special permission is received in writing from the Vice President for Graduate Studies. Certain courses may not be taken by directed study, as specified in the course description.
Directed study forms are available in the Records Office and approval must be obtained from the student’s Graduate Advisor, the instructor of the course, Division Chair, and Vice President for Graduate Studies before the beginning of each term. The student and graduate faculty are expected to present the following items as part of the directed study: objectives, detailed description of the study, procedures for student-instructor interaction, method of evaluation, and anticipated resources needed for the study or a course syllabus may be attached to the directed study form.
Capstone
CSCM 423/523 - Theology of Christian Ministry is the capstone requirement for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. Students are required to earn a grade of B or better in this course. The capstone course must be completed through Missouri Baptist University.
Exit Exam
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree does not require an exit exam.
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
