Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries (12 credit hours)

MAPM512: The Personal Life of the Pastor (3) – A study in the care of the personal life of the pastor, recognizing the need for personal spiritual health and Christ-like formation for effectiveness in ministry. Topics such as spiritual disciplines, character development, time management, marriage and family, and finances will be addressed.

MAPM522: Preaching and Worship (3) – A study of the craft of sermon preparation and the delivery of biblical and relevant messages within the context of a corporate gathering for worship. Other aspects of effective worship services will also be explored.

MAPM532: Pastoral Care and Counseling (3) – This course will prepare men and women for effective shepherding, pastoral care, and counseling within the context of a local church body. Topics to be covered will include: family, marital, individual, pre-marital, crisis, and grief counseling; life-stage care (weddings and funerals); baptism and communion; hospital and shut-in visitation; and support group models for healing and corporate health.

MAPM542: Church Leadership and Administration (3) – Churches need effective leadership to experience vitality and growth. This study equips men and women for effective leadership and administrative roles in a local church setting, covering important topics every pastor needs to know, such as: working with a team, conflict management, recruiting and equipping others for ministry, creating and casting a compelling vision, leading through change, church finances and fund-raising, and church governance.

MAO501: Orientation (0) – This is a one-week course designed to introduce students to the graduate program at Barclay College, including: classmates, course instructors, the mechanics of the online portal and discussion forum, and the academic rigors of graduate studies.

Theology Core (15 credit hours)

MABI511: Old Testament Hermeneutics (3) – God’s revelation through the Old Testament illuminates His timely message and timeless story for His people, while also providing the context and foundation for the New Testament. In this class, students will investigate the richness of the Old Testament and its relevance for today, including the principles and procedures for its interpretation, application, and exposition.

MABI521: New Testament Hermeneutics (3) – The narrative of Christ and His Church, foreshadowed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, provides the framework for Christian faith and practice. This class in biblical interpretation and exegesis focuses on the life and teachings of Christ, the experience of believers, and the eternal hope of the Church as recorded in the gospels, epistles, and apocalyptic literature.

MATH531: Christian Theology (3) – This class investigates the essential teachings of the evangelical Christian faith, with special attention given to the person and work of Christ, sin and salvation, the role of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church, and contemporary theological issues. Students will become better equipped to apply and articulate theological convictions in ministry settings.

MATH541: The History of Christianity (3) – This course addresses the major events, issues, personalities, and movements that shape and define the story of the Christian Church. Topics such as the birth and growth of the Early Church, the threat of persecution, the rise of monasticism, the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon, the Reformation, the Great Awakenings, ecumenical efforts, and the globalization of the gospel provide a deeper understanding of the Church and a relevant perspective for ministry today.

MAMM513: The Missional Church (3) – We may not all be called to serve Christ as missionaries in a foreign land, but we are all called to be “on mission with God” wherever He may lead us. In this course, students are challenged to examine their purpose and calling in life, maximize their capacity to build bridges, and bear faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ both at home and around the world.

Research and Application (9 credit hours)

MARA523: Research Methods (3) – This course is an introduction to the research methods that are applicable in a variety of academic and organizational settings, including both quantitative and qualitative strategies that are commonly used in a graduate Capstone project.

MARA533: Applied Research I: Field Experience (3) – In this research and application course, students will identify and begin to investigate a potential Capstone project that relates to their chosen concentration of graduate studies. Through practical examination, each student will focus on their field of study using a variety of potential methods, some of which may include: field experience, literature review, and other forms of data collection.

MARA543: Applied Research II: Church Health and Growth (Capstone Project) (3) – This course involves the completion of a written Capstone project that serves as the culmination of a student’s research and their graduate school experience. Students will integrate their research findings with their chosen area of concentration, making application to life, service, and leadership today. In addition, each student will demonstrate their acquisition of scholarship, critical thinking, creativity, and written communication skills.