Religion (Graduate)

Master of Arts in Religion

The Master of Arts in Religion (30 graduate hours) provides a strong academic foundation in Bible, Christian history, and theology. These subjects offer essential preparation for Christian ministry and/or doctoral study in religion.

The Master of Arts in Religion provides a unique blend of religious theory and practical studies that can meet the needs of students with a variety of learning objectives. The classes in the program will be offered in different formats (three-week residential sessions, semester-long evening courses, and/or on-line via the Internet). The faculty is composed of scholars and professionals in the field of religion with the academic and applied backgrounds to make the study of religion stimulating and worthwhile.

Program Admission

1. For admission: bachelors degree or equivalent. Students with GPA below 3.00 will need to demonstrate ability to do work at the graduate level.
2. Students must complete an Application for Admission and submit official transcripts for review.
3. Three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s promise for graduate study.

Participation Requirements

1. A student must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and cannot submit more than nine semester hours of C for graduation. Students will be required to repeat courses in which C grades were earned above the maximum and must repeat any course in which a D or F has been received.
2. Students must complete the requirements for the degree in no more than three years.
3. A minimum of one residential session (three-week focus or semester-long evening) is required.
   NOTE: Not all required courses are available on line; attendance at several residential sessions may be needed to complete all required courses. Be sure to monitor Seminary course schedules when planning enrollment and when selecting courses for graduation.
4. Students who choose not to complete a thesis are required to make a portfolio presentation at the end of their program. See the Student Handbook for specific parameters.
5. The following curriculum (30 semester hrs.) must be completed:

   RELG5011 Christian Theology 3 s.h.

   RELG5020 Hebrew Scriptures I 3 s.h.

   RELG5030 Hebrew Scriptures II 3 s.h.

   RELG5040 New Testament I 3 s.h.

   RELG5050 New Testament II 3 s.h.

   RELG5090 Survey of the History of Christian Thought 3 s.h.

   RELG**** 3-4 couses as electives 9-12 s.h.

   RELG6010 Optional Integrative Thesis 3 s.h. or Portfolio Presentation 0 s.h.

Transfer of Credits

Students transferring from other graduate institutions may request the transfer of a maximum of nine hours of credit, provided that the courses transferred have equivalents in the Master of Arts in Religion curriculum and the grades in those courses are “B” or above. The request must be accompanied by an official transcript from the institution where the credit was earned.

Master of Arts in Christian Ministries

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries provides the same academic foundation offered in the Master of Arts in Religion program. The curriculum then devotes considerably more attention to courses needed to develop practical ministerial skills in areas such as pastoral care, worship leadership, and preaching.

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries uniquely features specialization tracks in peace and justice, spirituality, church leadership, and mission. After completing two core course of their choice, students undertake one supervised practicum designed to offer significant experience in the practice of ministry. Students benefit from the guidance of skilled mentors with considerable ministerial experience.

Program Admission and Participation Requirements

1. For admission: Bachelors Degree or Equivalent. Students with GPA below 3.00 will need to demonstrate ability to work at the graduate level.
2. A student must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA and cannot submit more than twelve hours of C for graduation. Students will be required to repeat courses in which C grades were earned above the maximum and must repeat any course in which a D or F has been received.
3. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within five years.
4. Students must be complete the following curriculum of 66 semester hours:

Area I. Core Courses in Religious Heritage - 21 s.h.

RELG5011 Christian Theology

RELG5020 Hebrew Scriptures I

RELG5030 Hebrew Scriptures II

RELG5040 New Testament I

RELG5050 New Testament II

RELG5060 History of Christian Thought I

RELG5070 History of Christian Thought II

Area II. Core Courses in Cultural Context - 9 s.h.

RELG5260 Ethics

RELG5400 World Religions

RELG6240 Contemporary Culture

Area III. Core Courses in Personal and Spiritual Formation - 6 s.h.

RELG5010 Professional Ministerial Issues

RELG6140 Learning to Teach - Teaching to Learn

Area IV. Core Courses in General Ministry - 12 s.h.

RELG5080 Mission

RELG6200 Pastoral Care

RELG6210 Worship

RELG6220 Preaching

Area V. Community of Christ Denominational Requirements* - 9 s.h.

RELG5301 Community of Christ History

RELG5310 Community of Christ Scriptures

RELG5320 Community of Christ Theology

Area VI. Specialized Topics for Church Leadership and Ministry** - 9 s.h.

RELG6111 Specialized Ministry: Church Leadership

RELG6112 Specialized Ministry: Mission and Evangelism

RELG6113 Specialized Ministry: Peace and Justice

RELG6114 Specialized Ministry: Spirituality

RELG6115 Specialized Ministry Practicum

* Students of faith traditions other than Community of Christ will complete comparable coursework approved by the dean.

**Students must complete two courses chosen from RELG6111-6114 plus the practicum.

Courses in Religion (Graduate)

RELG5010 Professional Ministerial Issues 3 s.h.
An introduction to church polity, and the role of the professional minister, with focus on issues central to the identity, functioning, leadership style, administrative skills, spiritual growth and maturity, and the ministerial ethics of the professional minister. Attention is given to the holistic self-care of the minister.

RELG5011 Christian Theology 3 s.h.
This course is an initial exploration of the discipline and methods of theology. The foundational topics of Christian theology are covered including the nature and necessity of the theological task and contemporary understandings of the doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, humanity, the church, and Christian hope.

RELG5020 Hebrew Scriptures I 3 s.h.
A review of the sacred literature of the Hebrews up to the eighth century B.C.E. centered on its covenantal themes. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on the various methods of biblical criticism.

RELG5030 Hebrew Scriptures II 3 s.h.
A review of the sacred literature of the Hebrews from the eighth century B.C.E. to the close of the canon, centered on its covenantal themes. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on the various methods of biblical criticism.

RELG5040 New Testament I 3 s.h.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism.

RELG5050 New Testament II 3 s.h.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on Paul and the General Epistles, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism.

RELG5060 History of Christian Thought I 3 s.h.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the biblical period to the period immediately preceding the Reformation. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred.

RELG5070 History of Christian Thought II 3 s.h.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the Reformation into the 21st century. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred.

RELG5080 Mission 3 s.h.
An integrated model of Christian mission is introduced theologically and practically in terms of compassion, evangelism, stewardship, discipleship formation, and peace and justice ministries. Students will use their own contexts to develop a model of congregational mission drawing on biblical, theological, historical, and contemporary strategies.

RELG5090 Survey of History of Christian Thoought 3 s.h.
Traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the biblical period to the present. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred.

RELG5260 Ethics 3 s.h.
An investigation of traditional ethical theories and an inquiry into means, methods, and appeals of ethical consciousness. In addition, some specific contemporary issues are addressed such as ecology, human sexuality, gender, race and ethnicity, economic justice, and militarism as it relates to the culture of violence.

RELG5301 Community of Christ History 3 s.h.
Students will explore the background and development of the Community of Christ from its early 19th century beginnings to the present. Primary, secondary, and material cultural sources will be studied with the purpose of helping students to develop an analytical approach to church history. In this course, there will be three specific foci: the founding of Latter Day Saintism and the diasporic search for a sacred homeland, the evolution of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Community of Christ in the new millennium. Considerable attention will be given to the early church story emerging in the historical context of competing religions in a democratic North American setting, as well as the theological corrections, moderate in nature, by members of the Reorganized Church that led to a major paradigm shift from “church as remnant” to “church in mission.” The course will conclude with a discussion of the kaleidoscopic mix of cultures in today’s Community of Christ.

RELG5310 Community of Christ Scriptures 3 s.h.
Explorations into the three indigenous scriptural works published and used by the Community of Christ-The Book of Mormon, the Joseph Smith “Translation” of the Bible, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants. These explorations involve (1) the attempt to establish original texts by analyses of documentary source materials, (2) studies into historical and cultural contexts of specific content, (3) consideration of metaphorical and theological dimensions of these three scriptural works, and (4) the relevance and relationship of these scriptural works to the identity and mission of the Community of Christ in today’s world.

RELG5320 Community of Christ Theology 3 s.h.
This course will explore the main themes, key issues, and seminal thinkers in RLDS/Community of Christ theology. We will approach the topic from two angles: historically and systematically. Our historical exploration will trace how Restoration theology has continually developed in response to the intellectual, social, and cultural challenges of each age. Our systematic exploration will attempt to understand what has been believed, taught, and confessed by the Community of Christ at different points in its history. We will focus considerable attention on (1) the issue of denominational “distinctiveness,” (2) the relationship of the RLDS church/Community of Christ to its early Latter Day saint roots and to the wider Christian tradition, (3) how the church’s encounter with modernity and postmodernity continues to reshape and redefine its theology, and (4) future directions of Community of Christ theology.

RELG5400 World Religions 3 s.h.
An exploration of the major religions of the world, along with their antecedent primal and ancient religious traditions. Special emphasis will be given to doctrine, polity, sacred literature, history, rituals, spiritual practices and worship, and the ethical and moral belief structures of the world faiths.

RELG5420 Theology of Peace 3 s.h.
A survey of the historical context and current issues of peace and justice. A theological framework is proposed within which the implications of contemporary issues may be explored.

RELG5430 Apocalyptic Literature 3 s.h.
This course provides a survey of apocalyptic literature from various cultural traditions with special focus on the Hebrew canon, the Book of Revelation in the New Testament, and the impact of the apocalyptic movement on the Christian gospels and the Pauline epistles. Attention will also be given to the possible origins of apocalyptic literature and its expression in the Jewish Apocrypha and the Christian pseudepigrapha.

RELG6000 Integrative Project 3-6 s.h.
A project which integrates theory and practice in religious studies. By special arrangement with a faculty member and approval of the director of the MAR program.

RELG6010 Integrative Thesis 3-6 s.h.
A paper which integrates theory and practice in religious studies. By special arrangement with a faculty member and approval of the director of the MAR program.

RELG6020 Directed Studies 1-3 s.h.
This class provides opportunity for self-directed students to design a program of studies meeting their special needs or interests. This will be done with the consultation of a member of the faculty and the approval of the director of the MAR program. May be repeated one time.

RELG6030 Special Topics in Religion 1-3 s.h.
A course based on subjects outside current offerings, such as Leadership of Religious Organizations, Pastoral Counseling, Stewardship Ministries, Evangelism and Mission, and Contemporary Theologies.

RELG6100 Christian Spiritual Formation 3 s.h.
An exploration of what it means to grow spiritually and an examination of the practices, understandings, traditions, and contexts which enable the process of spiritual growth and maturity. Attention is given to the holistic self-care of the minister.

RELG6111 Specialized Ministry: Church Leadership 3 s.h.
Consideration of the fundamentals of church leadership in the 21st Century, exploring topics such as administrative skills, collaborative leadership, core values and ethics, spiritual formation, congregational systems, and denominational polity.

RELG6112 Specialized Ministry: Mission and Evangelism 3 s.h.
An examination through the lens of the Community of Christ in the 21st century. Different contemporary approaches to mission and evangelism will be reviewed and critiqued, giving the students opportunity to test the viability and practicality of these approaches in their ministry area.

RELG6113 Specialized Ministry: Peace and Justice 3 s.h.
This course seeks to root peace and justice making in Christian discipleship. Students will be expected to draw upon their life experience and studies in other seminary courses to develop a critical prophetic perspective on human systems and institutions. Islam and Anabaptism will be contrasting traditions to help understand pursuing peace in a pluralistic world. Students will work on articulating a personal theology of peace and justice that has personal discipleship dimensions as well as practical congregational expression.

RELG6114 Specialized Ministry: Spirituality 3 s.h.
Through a process of reading, reflection, cinema review, journaling, and writing on selected topics, course participants will develop skills and knowledge for spiritual formation ministries in diverse settings. Students will gain practice in creating and facilitating individual and corporate spiritual enrichment. The course’s experiential and academic components will be rooted in story, scripture and sacrament. Connections between spiritual practice in Christianity and other world religions will be examined.

RELG6115 Specialized Ministry Practicum 3 s.h.
An opportunity for students to gain experience in the practice of ministry in their chosen area of specialization. Students will experience ministry in a supervised setting where they will benefit from feedback by a more experienced person in the chosen area of specialized ministry. Students design their practicum in consultation with their faculty advisor. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.)

RELG6140 Learning to Teach - Teaching to Learn 3 s.h.
An exploration of the fundamentals of sound Christian religious education, including developmental issues in faith formation, differences in learning styles, and pedagogical methods that promote transformative learning.

RELG6200 Pastoral Care 3 s.h.
An introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of pastoral care that are required for an effective liberative ministry of nurture, healing, and spiritual growth in the church. Attention will be given to the fundamental theological foundations and of the aims, methods, and resources for pastoral care. A limited practical exposure to the art of counseling will be offered.

RELG6210 Worship 3 s.h.
A study of the church as a worshiping community. Historical and contemporary patterns of worship are examined with attention to planning and conducting the worship experience for congregations of all sizes and within diverse ethnic and intercultural settings.

RELG6220 Preaching 3 s.h.
Participants will learn to develop and deliver scripture-based sermons through instruction in homiletical theory and practice. Using discussion, lecture, and small group processes, participants will explore fundamental convictions about preaching: preaching as witness, the preaching task, steps in creating a sermon, sermon delivery, the experience of the listener, emotion and imagination in preaching, the vocabulary of faith, spirituality in preaching, and sermon evaluation.

RELG6240 Contemporary Culture 3 s.h.
An examination of the nature and implications of current issues and practices found in major world cultures with emphasis on their impact on Christian ministry, particularly ecumenical and intercultural ministry.