A non-unit course that is a corequisite for MACM courses. It is to be taken each semester during the program. Content will be topical and related to the courses offered each semester.

A study of Christian formation including personal and congregational practices that contribute to mature faith formation and healthy ministerial personhood and practice.

An engagement with the texts of scripture to consider their use in Christian proclamation and the appropriate methods and practices to facilitate that use.

A survey of the nature and mission of the Church and the relationship of ecclesiology to other major Christian doctrines.

A study of biblical, theological and practical understandings of leadership in the Church.

A study of the social, cultural, and demographic contexts of ministry as related to the mission of the Church.

An exploration of congregational practices that form persons and communities into faithful disciples. Attention is given to how theology informs the educational and formative practices of local congregations.

What is the pastor's role in offering and equipping the faith community to provide holistic forms of Christian care? Basic skills will be honed for short-term crisis pastoral counseling, when to refer to medical and psychological counseling, and how to organize lay ministries for care. Special focus will be given to clergy ethics and ongoing self-care and spiritual health for ministry leaders.

This course presents the principles of finance as they relate to pastoral involvement in church and life, church budgeting, fund raising, building financing, family budgeting, and long-range financial planning.

This course presents selected studies in an area of Christian ministry as determined by the Reuben Welch School of Theology and Christian Ministry.