Is a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry Right for You?

pastor in a church

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree is an advanced program of study entrenched in biblical foundations. This degree is well-suited for assistant pastors and ministers who serve on a full-time, part-time, lay ministry or bi-vocational basis. To learn if this master’s program could be an ideal fit for your future ministry career, consider the following:

Where Will You Serve Best?

Many students believe that they are called to a life of ministry and to serve God by doing missionary work. Traveling preachers and missionaries can help to spread the Word to the most remote parts of the world. However, it is important to know that God’s plan may be to serve your local community or even teach future church leaders. There are many ways to serve God so do not feel like you need to choose only one to make a difference.

If this is your calling, then getting a master’s in Christian ministry can benefit your understanding of the Bible and Christian leadership. In today’s world, it is important to be prepared to answer tough questions about faith and God. Getting an education to understand Biblical texts and setting up ministries can help spread God’s word to those who need it most.

How Do You Learn Best?

Many Christian colleges provide degrees in Christian studies and Bible study courses. Finding the best one for you should be a matter of working with your schedule and determining your interests. Students should consider an online theology degree due to their convenience, while in-person classes can help to make better connections.

What Skills Do You Want to Acquire?

Upon completion of this Christian ministry degree program, graduates are equipped to educate the Christian community using Bible-based ministry and service. The coursework prepares students to apply biblical concepts that meet the demands of real-world ministry. It also prepares students to guide Christian organizations and multigenerational congregations by providing relevant, Bible-based teaching.

What Are You Hoping to Learn?

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree engages students in a course of study that involves teaching, leading and nurturing their congregation and community. As you earn this degree, you will benefit from field ministry experiences to help you connect with theology and practice. Your knowledge will go above and beyond a bachelors to help spread the gospel. Your course topics will include ministerial ethics, Christian doctrine, Old and New Testament foundations and biblical interpretation. Each of these topics helps build up understanding of all things biblical.

What Do You Want to Do?

If your goal is to lead compelling and effective 21st century ministries, then the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry could be right for you. This degree program prepares its graduates to deliver valuable and highly effective sermons. After earning this Christian ministry degree, you can expect to possess the foundation for prayer, leadership, evangelism and discipleship that’s required for effective ministry.

Potential Jobs in Christian Ministry

With a master's in Christian ministry, you can go into many different job fields. By possessing a better understanding of Christianity, members of the church can help raise up the next generation in loving God and building strong biblical foundations. Let’s look at some of the different avenues to which this degree can lead.

Teacher/Professor

Christian schools and universities need instructors that can communicate the Bible and its content to a wide range of students. Having an online theology degree will make you more competitive in getting a position. Not to mention, many universities require a master’s degree, at a minimum, when considering their candidates.

Writer

While this is not the first option that most people consider, becoming a writer can be a worthwhile experience. Majoring in Christian studies can give you the background needed to write books on Biblical topics and help write promotional materials for churches.

Preacher/Evangelist

The most common field for Christian studies majors is to become preachers. Understanding the Bible in depth and being able to teach it’s meaning can be valuable in today’s world. More Christians need to help spread the good news and defend the gospel.

Missionary

There are so many countries in the world today that do not have the number of teachers needed to spread Christianity. A missionary helps aid in people’s lives and spiritual growth. You would likely need to learn the native language depending on where you become a missionary. However, by having a background in studying the Bible you’ll be able to articulate God’s message clearly. Considering a life as a missionary may be a viable career option.

Church Administrator

A commonly overlooked position to consider is a church administrator. This role handles the business side of church operations and ensures the day-to-day activities are successful. While it may not be for everyone, those who have a strong business sense and can handle financial, as well as spiritual, matters will be heavily valued in this position.

For any of these fields or others, it is important to pray for guidance and the courage to fulfill God’s plan. Following Him will lead you down the path to the career He wants you to pursue. A good rule to note is to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

Are you ready to learn more about earning a seminary degree? If so, then visit the Grand Canyon Theological Seminary website to learn about our mission and faculty or use the Request More Information button on this page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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