Master of Divinity

AMBS will offer a new Master of Divinity beginning fall 2013. The new program has the same strengths and themes as outlined below. However, it requires only 80 credit hours and has the option of study from a distance. For more information, follow links at the left to the New MDiv and the two ways students can participate: MDiv Connect and MDiv Campus.

United Methodist students will follow the plan of study for the United Methodist Master of Divinity, which has a 90-credit-hour requirement.

Ministry training involves attention to a student’s growth in theological discernment and competency in ministry, as well as the development of character, sense of call, ministerial identity and leadership, spiritual depth, and commitment to service in the name of Christ.

Preparation for pastoral service in the Anabaptist tradition requires more than developing a pastoral presence to specific situations or individuals. It builds competence and confidence in students to provide direction for the church’s life and witness. Pastoral leadership assists the spiritual growth of groups of believers, building them together into a “dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22) for service in the world.

Educational goals

• Graduates with an MDiv:
• Are grounded in and are continuously formed by the Bible.
• Engage their historical and theological traditions in the context of the larger Christian church.
• Are formed by a continuing encounter with God.
• Demonstrate personal integrity and authority in ministry.
• Understand and creatively engage their ministry context.
• Lead the church in fulfilling its missional calling.

Concentrations and majors

• Pastoral Ministry concentration
• Pastoral Ministry concentration for United Methodist students, in partnership with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
• Pastoral Care and Counseling concentration,with emphasis on congregational care, chaplaincy, and healing
• Christian Faith Formation concentration
• Theological Studies concentration, with majors in Biblical Studies, Theology and Ethics, Missiology, Church History, Peace Studies

Design

MDiv Campus and MDiv Connect require 80 credit hours, combining study, internships and mentoring. Successful completion includes satisfactory demonstrations of information literacy, completion of a senior ministry paper, senior presentation based on significant learning during the seminary experience and faculty interview, and faculty recommendation for graduation. (The previous plan of study required 90 credit hours. United Methodist students complete the 90-credit-hour United Methodist Master of Divinity program.)

Ministries of recent graduates

Congregational pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, further preparation through Clinical Pastoral Education, church agency communications and fund-raising, outreach ministry with a congregation, college campus ministry, youth ministry, bivocational ministry combining pastoring and community gardening, overseas youth ministry through a mission agency.

More information

Please see the AMBS Catalog, pages 12-30, for details about the current Master of Divinity. For information about the new Master of Divinity, follow links in the left menu and sign up to receive updates.