Master of Arts (Online)

Master of Arts Local Church Ministry Degree (Deploy)

Through Deploy, Grace Seminary offers a Master of Arts in Local Church Ministry (42-credit equivalence). The Master of Arts Ministry degree path provides excellent training for those who aspire to or are involved in vocational ministry. In many ways, the M.A. is a condensed version of what is included in the M.Div. (75-hr eq.), with the exception of Greek and Hebrew.

This degree includes coursework in theology, hermeneutics, spiritual formation, and a variety of leadership and practical ministry competencies.

Deploy is a competency-based theological education model that enables students to get ministry training while remaining in their ministry context. The Deploy curriculum is organized around competencies, rather than traditional courses, and has been shaped through collaboration between seminary faculty and frontline ministry leaders. Deploy students also receive ministry-coaching from onsite mentors who serve alongside them, in their ministry context.

Deploy Master of Arts Local Church Ministry Degree from Grace Seminary gives you ministry training while remaining in the local church. Learn more.

Ideal Fit

The Master of Arts program in Local Church Ministry is for those who need formal training, including those who already have several years of vocational ministry experience but desire further theological study in order to be better prepared for ministry leadership. This degree is offered through Deploy, an in-context competency-based theological education model.

The Master of Arts program in Local Church Ministry is intended for students desiring additional theological study for their particular field of ministry within church congregational life.

Ministry Pastor Worship Youth Children Special Needs Education Adult

Career Opportunities

Vocational ministry looks different depending on various contexts all of which are enhanced when they are grounded in and founded upon formal theological study.

Deploy’s Master of Arts program in Local Church Ministry is designed to provide a strong theological foundation for the following vocational ministries and more: Senior Pastor; Worship Leader; Associate Pastor; Youth Pastor.

Worship Leader
Senior Pastor
Associate Pastor
Youth Pastor
Education Pastor
Spiritual Formation Pastor
Administration Pastor
Special Needs Paraprofressional
Children’s Pastor or Minister
Sports Ministry
Church Ministry Directors
Parachurch Ministry Staff
Educational Ministry
Discipleship or Formation
Chaplaincy

Deploy is an answer to prayer and I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to participate in this competency-based program. I am a firm believer that practical application is where every educational experience should be focused. Right out of the shoot, I’m being challenged to draw nearer to our Savior, depending more on Him and less on me. It is exceedingly clear that Gabe and the Deploy leadership team are prayerfully and enthusiastically committed to my success and equipping the Church with well-prepared leaders. Praise God for this new journey He’s invited me to join Him on!

Jason Stanek

Deploy - 2020

Course Overview

Students will be competent to understand and cooperate with God in the sanctification process.

Students will be competent to be a change agent who leads ministries to become/remain biblically healthy by articulating a Christ-centered vision, developing strategies that unify churches around vision, and initiating transformational rather than merely transactional change.

Students will be competent to articulate their own theology in light of their denominational/church affiliation.

Students will be competent to understand and apply hermeneutics.

Students will be competent to communicate God’s truth in diverse contexts and by various methods based on a thorough understanding of the content, intent, and structure of the biblical text.

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for enrollment in the Master of Arts program at Grace Theological Seminary, you must fulfill certain admissions requirements:

A four-year bachelor‘s degree or its equivalent (for international students) from a recognized institution of higher learning. Graduates of Bible colleges, liberal arts colleges, and state colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.
A student who received his or her pre-seminary education at an institution that is not accredited or who achieved less than a 2.5 GPA in pre-seminary education may be admitted on academic restriction.
Applicants without a bachelor’s degree who have completed some or no college may be admitted if they meet certain ministry and research/writing requirements. Please contact seminary admissions for more information; email: gtsrec@grace.edu or phone: 877.607.0012.

Admission Requirements

Grace Theological Seminary welcomes applications from all individuals who have a testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

To be admitted as a Grace Theological Seminary student, you’re asked to provide:

Official transcripts from the school where you obtained your degree. (If you are currently working on your degree, you can submit an unofficial transcript for admission until term completion, at which time an official transcript is required. Transcripts should be sent to admissions@grace.edu.
A spiritual life reference
International applicant must provide a copy of TESOL test scores, and provide a financial certificate indicating sufficient funding for the program of study.
Master of Arts applicants may have additional non-academic requirements as well as longer ministry experience requirements. MA applicants are encouraged to contact admissions for more information.