MDiv Christian Ministry

Purpose

The Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry (MDivCM) is a 96-credit hour program designed for individuals who want the additional biblical and ministry training provided by a MDiv degree yet desire flexibility in selecting emphasis courses which will be most beneficial either for current or future ministry.  

The MDivCM seeks to equip men and women through classes and experiences related to various facets of ministry integrated with a focus on the student’s walk with God, character and leadership development, as well as grounding in the Scriptures, biblical languages, and core doctrines of the Christian faith.

Target Group

The MDivCM is designed for individuals who anticipate joining full-time or part-time ministries where a broad exposure to various aspects of ministry would be helpful. MDiv graduates with this degree serve as pastors, lay ministers, Christian educators, in academic ministries, in youth and student ministries, and as cross-cultural missionaries. 

Admissions Requirements

The individual applying for the MDivCM must follow the usual EAST application process and meet the MDivCM admissions standards. Both of these are stated in the “Admissions” section of this Prospectus. Additional admissions information for international students is explained in the “International Students” section of the Prospectus. 

Program Explanation

EAST Aleph (Summer) LF500 Research and Writing for Christian Leadership 2
IS400 Evangelism and Follow-Up Seminar NC
1st Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
BS510 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics 3 OT510 Old Testament Narratives 3
LF510 Christian Leadership Foundations 3 LF560 Christian Marriage and Family in Asia 3
IS501 Building Spiritual Movements  3 LS580 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 1 1
TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making

OR

IS520 Contextualisation

   

2

 IS510 World Missions 2
TS532 Spiritual Life and Transformation 3
OT 501 Biblical Hebrew 1: Elementary Hebrew

OR

NT501 Biblical Greek 1: Elementary Greek 

 3 OT502 Biblical Hebrew 2: Exegesis Using Tools 

OR

NT502  Biblical Greek 2: Exegesis Using Tools 

 3
LF570 Mentoring Group 1 1 LF570 Mentoring Group 2 1
TOTAL 15 TOTAL 16
Summer                        LF581 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 2 2
2nd Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
TS510 Theology 1 3 TS511 Theology 2 3
OT 501 Biblical Hebrew 1: Elementary Hebrew

OR

NT501 Biblical Greek 1: Elementary Greek 

 3 OT502 Biblical Hebrew 2: Exegesis Using Tools 

OR

NT502 Biblical Greek 2: Exegesis Using Tools

 3
NT510 New Testament Narratives  3 NT511 New Testament Epistles and Revelation 3
Emphasis Course 3
LF530 Teaching and Learning 1 

OR

LF555 Expository Preaching 1

 2 Emphasis Course  3
LF582 Field Practicum & FIRM 1 – one credit per semester 2
LF570 Mentoring Group 3 1 LF57o Mentoring Group 4 1
TOTAL 16 TOTAL 14
3rd Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
TS500 Church History 1 3 TS561 Church, Society and Ethical Issues in Asia 3
LF530 Teaching and Learning 1 

OR

LF555 Expository Preaching 1

 2 LF531 Teaching and Learning 2

OR

LF556 Expository Preaching 2

 3
OT511 Old Testament Poetry, Wisdom and Prophets 3 LF511 Transforming Leadership

OR

LF561 Biblical Counselling in Ministry 

 3
Emphasis Course 3 Emphasis Course 3
Emphasis Course 3 LF597 Summative Learning Project 1
LF590 Christian Ministry Emphasis Practicum & FIRM 2 – one credit per semester 2
LF570 Mentoring Group 5 1 LF570 Mentoring Group 6 1
TOTAL 16 TOTAL 15

Christian Ministry Emphasis Courses 

  • Based on the student’s area of interest, 15 credits of emphasis courses may be selected from courses offered in biblical studies (BS, OT, NT), theological studies (TS), intercultural studies (IS), as well as leadership and formation (LF)
  • LF590 Christian Ministry Emphasis Practicum & FIRM 2 (2 credits)

Course Description Information

For further information and description of each of the MDivCM courses, refer to the appropriate section of the “Course Descriptions” section of this Prospectus.

Distribution Requirements 

Biblical Studies (BS, OT, NT)                                                                              27 credits

BS510, OT501, OT502, OT510, OT511, NT501, NT502, NT510, NT511

Intercultural Studies (IS)                                                                                     5 or 7 credits*

IS400, IS501, IS510, IS520*

Leadership Studies (LF)                                                                                     18 credits

LF500, LF510, LF530, LF555, LF 560, LF531 or LF556, LF511 or LF561

Formation (LF)                                                                                                   12 credits

LF570, LF580, LF581, LF582, LF597

Theological Studies (TS)                                                                                   15 or 17 credits*

TS500, TS510, TS511, TS532, TS560*, TS561

Christian Ministry Emphasis Courses (inc. LF590)                                            17 credits

                                                                                                                           96 credits

* Distribution within Intercultural Studies and Theological Studies will vary as the student selects either IS520 Contextualisation or TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making.

Time Limit for Degree Completion

A student has a maximum of seven (7) years to complete an MDivCM from the date of matriculation at EAST.

Graduation Requirements

The following are requirements in order to graduate with an MDivCM:

  • Completion of all course work (96 credits) with a grade of C- or higher
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Demonstrate character and ministry skills appropriate for an EAST graduate
  • Approval by the faculty
  • Payment of all fees