This program provides graduate theological study for persons engaged in or contemplating a variety of leadership roles in community, congregational, or other professional settings. It is particularly well-suited for the preparation of persons who wish to offer leadership founded in theological and Christian spiritual foundations in any of a variety of professional settings: United Methodist deacon orders, participation in a congregational leadership team, work in a community or social service agency, or mission outreach locally or cross-culturally. The student will receive basic training within integrative core courses and then will identify further coursework allowing them to focus a specialized ministry area.
Early in their time of study, students will work with an advisor to identify vocational growth goals and to select courses that will prepare them for the specialized role they envision for their ministry. This specialization, while having a clear focus, will be made up of courses that students and advisors jointly discern will best serve their further ministry preparation. Possible areas of specialization given the training opportunities the seminary can provide are these: Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care; Christian Spiritual Formation; Congregational Ministries: Preaching, worship. etc.; Conflict Management & Peacebuilding; Leadership; Missions; Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Students may chose other interest area in consultation with their advisor.
Degree requirements require final completion of a 3 semester-hour Ministry Specialization Project (SMCL 698). This project will be a summative reflection on the area of specialization chosen by each student, and a proposal for ways the ministry specialization will contribute to the students’ ongoing vocation.
Since the MACL is a terminal degree, students who may later choose to enter a different program such as Master of Divinity will need to complete additional studies beyond the one-year difference in the two programs. If a student chooses to complete an MACL degree and then decides to pursue a Master of Divinity degree, consideration may be given to applying up to 33 semester hours of credit from the first degree toward the Master of Divinity degree.
A unique strength of Eastern Mennonite Seminary is our formation program. We believe that focusing on one’s own formation during the seminary journey is the way for ministering persons to be healthy and whole in their vocations. For this degree, two formation courses are required. Two courses in Formation in God’s Story help students understand their connection to God’s story as found in Scripture in conversation with their own life stories being written in the present through growing spiritual practices. Additional Formation studies can be done as part of the students’ specializations focus. Persons considering advanced academic master or doctoral studies should pursue the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Religion degree rather than the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership.
Normally 16 hours of resident study are required.
Master of Christian Leadership Core Curriculum Design
Core Courses
FS 501 Formation in Gods Story I (2)
FS 502 Formation in Gods Story II (2)
BVOT 511 Old Testament: Text in Context
BVNT 512 New Testament: Text in Context
CTT 634 Living Theology
CM 643 Missio Dei in Cultural Context
Choose two Biblical Studies course (6)
Any BVG, BVOT or BVNT courses
BVG 511 Basics of Biblical Language
BVG 621 Interpreting the Biblical Text
Choose one Worship Course: (2-3)
SMCL 642 Congregational Worship (3)
FS 563 Spiritual Formative Worship (2)
FS 683 Intergenerational Worship (2)
FS 723 Prayer Practices in Worship (2)
*CM621 Evangelism: Living to Tell
- strongly recommended; required for United Methodist deacon students
Students will complete the following or the UM studies
Choose two Advanced Theological studies courses (6)
CTT course
CTE course
CTH course
OR
United Methodist Studies (6)
(Student needs to check with his/her conference to confirm all requirements are met)
CM 671 U.M. History (2)
CM 681 U.M. Doctrine (2)
CM 691 U.M. Polity (2)
Ministry Specialization Electives (12-16)
SMCL 698 Ministry Specialization Project (required)
May include the following:
FS 601 Formation in Ministry I
FS 602 Formation in Ministry II
SMFE CPE (6)
Possible Ministry Specializations:
Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care
Christian Spiritual Formation
Congregational Ministries: Preaching, worship etc.
Conflict Management & Peacebuilding
Leadership
Missions
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Students may choose other interest area in consultation with their adviser.
Total of 49 SH
Core courses: 33-37
Elective – guided by specialized specialization focus: 12-16