What Is Urban Ministry?
Urban ministry recognizes the need to bring the love of Christ to urban areas and inner city neighborhoods. The Master of Arts in Urban Ministry degree, offered by the Grand Canyon Theological Seminary, is a unique course of study that prepares future Christian leaders to serve congregations amid the hectic pace of city life.
Grand Canyon University’s urban ministry Master of Arts degree emphasizes the power of the gospel for transformation while also making it accessible and contextually appropriate for an urban, 21st century audience. Expand your theological and biblical knowledge while closely studying the unique problems and needs associated with urban settings. Explore how to offer pastoral guidance to inner city congregations in a way that addresses their unique challenges.
Earn Your Master of Arts in Urban Ministry Degree Online
A modern curriculum demands a modern method of learning, and GCU has risen to the challenge with our flexible online learning platform. Earn your MA in urban ministry online while fulfilling your familial and professional obligations. Study your coursework from anywhere, and enjoy engaging discussions with your peers. This degree program requires 38 credits for completion. Most online courses are eight weeks long.
During your studies, you will acquire a keen understanding of today’s challenges for the church and of the dynamics of the urban communities you will minister to. Examine strategies for communicating effectively with culturally diverse audiences, and explore how to help others to know and love Christ. Prepare to embrace holistic ministry service that answers God’s call and preserves the fundamentals of evangelism and discipleship.
What You’ll Learn with an Urban Ministry MA Degree
Acquire foundational knowledge and skills in biblical interpretation and ministerial ethics. Learn how to lead and inspire others who desire to know the Word of God. In courses such as Multicultural Ministry and Contextualization, Biblical Foundations of Urban Ministry and Issues in Urban Ministry, students discover some of the pressing matters of today’s congregations. Examine at-risk communities, biblical justice, crisis, conflict and change in the urban setting. Explore the value of social services, community-building, urban leadership and holistic ministry strategies within a multicultural setting. Other core competencies include:
- Specific contexts for the connections between biblical teaching and ministry
- Christian character formation, self-care and personal morality for Christian leaders
- Historical and theological development of Christian doctrine
- Hermeneutics and the proper interpretation of the Old and New Testaments
Additionally, students are required to complete supervised ministry hours. These field experiences are opportunities for students to demonstrate their mastery of sound theology and the real-world application of biblical principles.
What Can You Do with a Master of Arts in Urban Ministry?
An academic background in urban ministry enables graduates to pursue meaningful work improving the lives of others in their local communities. Bring the love of Christ to urban and inner city neighborhoods by pursuing a ministerial position at an urban church or a suburban church with an urban outreach component.
The urban ministry master’s degree is also appropriate for individuals who would like to create new nonprofit ministries in urban settings. Nonprofit organizations, social service programs and educational organizations are other possible places in which graduates may fulfill their life’s mission to serve others in Christ.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in ministry and theology. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course examines the biblical and theological foundations of Christian ethics along with an analysis of the roles and responsibilities of gospel ministry. Significant attention is given to self-care, personal morality, and character formation as well as ethical concerns unique to ministers as they lead, equip, shepherd, and intercede for God’s people.
Course Description
This course is a study of the basic principles of evangelical biblical interpretation, exegesis, and application, especially in the context of ministry, including an introduction to the use of biblical language tools.
Course Description
This course analyzes the practical dimensions of systematic theology and assists students in making critical connections between biblical teaching and ministry within specific contexts. Emphasis is placed on faithful biblically rooted ministry, including a focus on prayer, evangelism, discipleship, and church leadership. This course requires supervised ministry hours. Practicum/field experience hours: 45.
Course Description
This course surveys the text and historical background of the Old Testament with an introduction to hermeneutics and the proper interpretation of the books of the Old Testament.
Course Description
This course surveys the text and historical background of the New Testament with an introduction to hermeneutics and the proper interpretation of the books of the New Testament.
Course Description
This course surveys cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, including revelation, God, humanity, Christ, and salvation. Emphasis is placed on the development of sound theology grounded in biblical understandings and practical wisdom for ministry. Some attention is given to the historical development of doctrine.
Course Description
The course provides a biblical foundation for urban ministry and equips students with an overarching understanding of basic principles for effective urban ministry. Students develop understanding of the crucial position of the local assembly of believers, the history, and the various best practices for culture transformative urban ministry. This course requires supervised ministry hours. Practicum/field experience hours: 45.
Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic competencies needed for ministry in a multicultural setting. Students explore social services, community building, holistic ministry strategies, and how to contextualize the Good News of Christ without compromising its integrity. This course requires supervised ministry hours. Practicum/field experience hours: 45.
Course Description
This course is an examination of how the church’s mission expresses itself in the urban setting and the ethical implications for decisions made in urban ministry. This course requires supervised ministry hours. Practicum/field experience hours: 45.
Online
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. GCU offers the most experienced leadership in delivering online degree programs. Full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our online classes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Choose from programs across our distinct colleges, in high-demand employment areas. Classes begin frequently.
Evening
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom. Night classes are designed for a specific number of students, providing a warm and nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. In an evening cohort, you will progress through your degree program with the same career-minded classmates, providing an opportunity to network and forge relationships that go beyond the classroom. Classes begin frequently at various locations, including our main campus.
* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program's published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution's catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length .
Online and Evening program disclosures (1.667 years)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.