Master of Arts in Christian Formation (MACF)

The forty-eight (48) credit hour MACF degree (plus seven credit hours of field education) focuses on Christian formation against a backdrop of selected foundational subjects and Christian Formation/Ministry electives. The MACF is designed to equip men and women for leadership in positions related to Christian formation in congregations. It may lead to Ordination to Word and Service in the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes for the degree include the following:

  • Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity in relation to Christian formation.
  • Convey the Christian tradition for appropriation in the life and mission of the Church.
  • Articulate the significance for ministry of educational, organizational, and spiritual models and theories of Christian formation.
  • Demonstrate a theologically grounded ministerial identity and growing capacity to integrate it with the ministry of Christian formation.
  • Engage diversity and exhibit growth towards intercultural competence for ministry reflective of God’s global redemptive work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Christian Formation degree is awarded to students who:

  1. Complete all Vocational and Spiritual Formation for Leadership evaluations and receive approval by faculty vote.
  2. Complete the required 48 semester hours of academic course work, plus 7 field education credit hours.
  3. Maintain a grade point average of 2.5. No grade under C- shall be counted toward the degree.
  4. Exemplify a quality of life and commitment suitable for ministry.
  5. Rectify all incomplete grades no later than week seven of the semester in which they plan to graduate.
  6. Fulfill all financial obligations to the Seminary.
  7. Complete the degree program within seven (7) years from the time of matriculation.

Bible | 12 Credit Hours

BIBL 5210Old Testament 1: Pentateuch & Interpretation

3

 

BIBL 5220Old Testament 2: Prophets & Preaching Legacy

3

Or

BIBL 5230Old Testament 3: Wisdom & Israels Praise

3

 

BIBL 5240New Testament 1: The Texts & Their World

3

BIBL 5250New Testament 2: The Texts & Their Theology

3

History | 3 Credit Hours

HSTY 5210Christian History 1: the Early Church to the Early Reformation (1-16c)

3

Theology | 3 Credit Hours

THEO 5110Christian Theology

3

Spiritual Formation | 3 Credit Hours

SPFM 5201Journey: The Story of Our Lives

1

SPFM 5211Intercultural Spirituality: Praying Together

1

SPFM
Spiritual Formation Elective

Foundations in Christian Ministry | 9 Credit Hours

CEDF 5100Christian Education and Formation In the Church

3

MNST 5108Ministry Identity and Practice

3

THEO 5120Christian Worship

3

CEDF Electives | 6 Credit Hours

Students must take six semester hours in the area of Christian Education and Formation.

MNST Electives | 3 Credit Hours

Students must take three semester hours in the area of Christian Ministry.

Cultural Diversity Elective | 3 Credit Hours

Student selects one course from the following:

BIBL 6290Intercultural Readings of the Bible

3

MNST 5110Religions and Cultures

3

MNST 6125Issues of Christian Faith in the Americas

3

MNST 6130The Gospel in Asian Context

3

MNST 6135Experiencing African Christianity

3

MNST 6140Experiencing Global Christianity

3

MNST 6151Cultural Dimensions of Mission

3

MNST 6152Rethinking Mission: Lessons From Christian Art History & Practice

3

MNST 6352Journey to Mosaic

3

MNST 6401Sankofa: Racial Righteousness & Reconciliation

3

THEO 5140Advanced Seminar in Theology

3

On occasion, a 7190 Topics course which is not offered on a regular basis will fulfill an area requirement.

Denominational Elective | 3 Credit Hours

Students seeking ECC ordination are encouraged to take HSTY 6300 History and Theology of the Covenant Church (3 credit hours). Students from a denomination other than the Evangelical Covenant Church may take a course in their home denomination’s history, theology, and polity. Such courses may be taken through cross-registration at another school in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools, or as an independent study with North Park faculty. Students not seeking ordination in any denomination may substitute any class by petition.

General Elective | 3 Credit Hours

Total Credit Hours for the Degree | 48 Credit Hours

Students are required to take 17 credit hours in residence at the main campus. Students are recommended for graduation when all requirements are fulfilled for the degree.

Field Education

Field education may be completed prior to, during, or post course completion for the MACF degree. The experiences designated as field education will be awarded seven (7) credit hours in addition to the forty- eight (48) credit hours required for the MACF degree.

FLDC 5300Vocational Excellence

1

FLDC 7310Internship Residency

1-8

FLDC 7315Intercultural Development Module

1

FLDC 7318Theological Reflection Module

1