Master of Arts in Christian Formation
The MACF is a professional degree, educating and equipping students to lead formation ministries of the church. AMBS provides a context, a process and tools for students to study and engage the ministries of personal and congregational formation. The 60-credit-hour degree involves study, participation in formation seminars and a supervised practicum.
The MACF prepares students for
- congregational leadership in faith formation
- spiritual care in the congregation
- spiritual direction
- long-term visitation and spiritual companionship
- manager of a hospital pastoral care department
- congregational teaching and training
Note: The MACF degree is not designed to prepare people to serve as lead or solo pastors.
Graduates with an MACF will:
- Articulate or otherwise demonstrate knowledge of the biblical, historical, and theological disciplines that undergird their ministry of leadership.
- Reflect critically, contextually, and constructively on the theological content and practices of their specialized ministries.
- Exercise competent leadership through designing, implementing, and assessing ministry experiences in their specialized ministries.
- Demonstrate skills for equipping, training, and empowering leaders for specialized ministries.
- Assess their own growth toward spiritual and personal maturity.
- Clarify and develop a ministerial identity.
MA in Christian Formation students can complete the program of study in two years of full-time study by taking 27–30 credit hours per year through courses in three terms: Semester One, Semester Two and Intensive Term in summer.
Download our Admissions Calendar to see an overview of AMBS’s academic year and note important application deadlines.
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