Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership for Healthy Churches

Introduction

This is a course for those already engaged in ministry and mission in any denomination, or church network. It will offer pastors the opportunity to explore how to grow healthy churches in the 21^st century through transformation leadership that will not only impact upon the local church but the society it is part of. In this MA, Pastor Rick Warren will share from his 50 years of church leadership and from his breadth of academic research. It is designed to equip pastors with key biblical tools, informed by academic rigor, to see churches flourish spiritually and play their part in Finishing The Task of the Great Commission.

This course starts in June 2025 and will have an intake in September, January and April in any academic year.

Programme Duration

The course is a part-time three-year course.

Programme Structure

This Master of Arts is an Online programme.

Each unit begins with a live 2-hour tutorial, followed by 12 weekly one hour tutorials and occasional seminars.

Overview

The course consists of six units of study of 30 credits each.  Two units are studied per academic year. It begins with the unit Healthy Church (Part 1) and ends with Biblical Strategies for Breakthrough, which will allow students to reflect in depth on a situation in ministry or an aspect of their practice in relation to the material researched in the degree. All units are compulsory. There is no dissertation.

Units

1: Healthy Church (Part 1)

2: Healthy Church (Part 2)

3: The Leader’s Personal Life

4: Preaching For Life-Change

5: Jesus’ Model of Ministry

6: Keeping Your Church Healthy & Growing

Assessment

Assessment takes place through a variety of means including a mixture of essays, reflections, textual analyses, oral presentations, and contributions to online media such as wikis or blogs, totalling approximately 6000-7000 words or equivalent per unit. There are no examinations.

Entry Requirements

Standard entry requirements are:

1. 1. A degree in Theology or Religious Studies with at least second-class honours of 55% from an approved institution; OR
   2. A degree in in any discipline with at least second-class honours of 55% from an approved institution, AND evidence of at least 3 years’ experience in church ministry or church leadership AND successful completion of an entry assessment; OR
   3. Evidence of at least 5 years’ experience in church ministry or church leadership AND commendation by a national church denomination or body that is recognised by the World Council of Churches, AND successful completion of an entry assessment.

An entry assessment (where needed) will consist of submission of a written assignment set by the College (typically a 3000-word essay, in English) and interview via a suitable online platform. The assignment will be marked according to typical criteria for graduate level work, by a member of the College academic staff. Taken together with other evidence and interview, the College will determine whether the applicant has the necessary academic potential for postgraduate study of theology, i.e. competency in theological knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills. 

The possible outcomes of any entry assessment are:

1. 1. Accepted onto the Master’s programme.
   2. Accepted onto the Postgraduate Certificate programme, (successful completion of which will allow progression onto the Master’s programme)
   3. Accepted onto the Master’s programme but will be required to audit a specified number of units at undergraduate level.
   4. Accepted onto the Postgraduate Certificate programme but will be required to audit a specified number of units at undergraduate level.
   5. Deemed unsuitable.

Interview

Candidates with no undergraduate degree qualification will be invited for an interview (via Zoom).

Language Requirements

Applicants will need to evidence a standard of English suitable for a Master’s programme This may be by IELTS at level 7, or an equivalent language qualification, or by means of the entry assessment.

Exit qualifications

Students who complete 60 credits (=two units of study over one year) can obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Transformational Leadership for Healthy Churches; students who complete 120 credits (=four units of study over two years) can receive a Postgraduate Diploma in Transformational Leadership for Healthy Churches.

Cost

The course fee is £9000. This course is registered with Student Finance England and if you are eligible you can obtain a Postgraduate loan to pay the course fees. For details of how to apply for a master’s loan please click here.

A deposit of £300 is payable when accepting an offer.

How to apply

You can apply by completing an online application form using the link below.