Heritage

Students should be able to understand and critically interpret scripture, history, and Christian theology.

Cultural Context

Students should be able to analyze local and global contexts and respectfully explore culturally non-dominant perspectives in light of Christian tradition.

Formation

Students should be able to show growth in personal faith, emotional maturity, and moral integrity.

Leadership

Students should be able to employ practical theological reflection and exercise skills within a specialized ministry.

The specializations for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) degree program have been designed in light of the mission of Memphis Theological Seminary and the strengths of the faculty. Students will be assigned a faculty adviser who will guide the student in course selections so that those reflect the specialized ministry in which the student chooses to focus.

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry offers specializations within different areas.  All specializations share the common core of required courses in Bible, theology, and church history, along with requirements in the areas of the social context for ministry and the practice of ministry.  The latter requirements are shaped with regard to the student’s specialization and include practicum and immersion components.

The Social Justice specialization is intended for those preparing for ministry with persons and organizations addressing systemic injustice.

This specialization requires 9 credit hours of courses selected from the list below (or approved by your advisor). Students may wish to focus their study in relation to a context such as urban ministry, rural ministry, or prison ministry. Specialized course work should address such topics as theological analysis of power, cultural dynamics, social institutions and social change, social movements, and community organizing. In consultation with your advisor you should select courses that fit with your interests and your plans for your integrative seminar project.

Any courses listed as Interfaith/Intercultural (IFC) (see academic catalog)

Church History (CH) Courses

CH 210 Religion and Contemporary American Society

CH 215 Religion and the U.S. Presidency

CH 220 Religion, Slavery, and the US Civil War

CH 225 The Forgotten Prophet: Prophetic Rhetoric of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner

CH 280 The Historical Development of Black Religion in America

CH 281 The African American Prophetic Tradition

CH 284 Civil Rights and Religion

CH 285/TH 285 The Theology and Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

CH 330 Twentieth Century Saints and Martyrs

CH 335 Subversive Sisters: A History of Women in the Christian Tradition

CH 499 Independent Studies in Church History

Biblical Studies (HB/NT) Courses

NT 329/TH 329 Jesus Was a Carpenter: Faith Perspectives on Labor and Justice 

HB 200 Bible and The Blues

Practice of Ministry (PM) Courses

PM 239 Church as Non-Profit Organization

PM 276 Transformational Leadership for Ministry in the Urban Context

PM 303 Christian Ministry in the City

PM 319 Church as Mediating Institution

PM 326 The Pastor as Broad-Based Community Organizer

PM 327/TH 327 Theology and Practice of Community Organizing

Theology (TH) Courses 

TH 309 Male and Female God Created Them: A Theology of Gender and Sexuality

TH 312 Christian Political Thought

TH 285/CH 285 The Theology and Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

TH 286 Rhetoric of MLK

TH 270 The Doctrine of Creation

TH 323 Critical Race Theory

TH 333 Religious Discourse of African American Women

TH 336 Rhetoric of Race

TH 339 Howard Thurman: Mystic, Pastor, and Prophet

Core Courses

Cultural Context

Practice of Ministry Electives

Provides the opportunity for theological reflection on and knowledge of the practice of ministry in relation to the student’s area of specialization. 

Personal and Spiritual Formation

Free Electives

Electives should be selected consistent with the specified specialization.

Specialized Ministry Practicum

Integrative Seminar 

(taken after 36 hours or more are completed)

Total credits: 48

Note: Within the area of specialization no more than three courses may transfer in from another accredited seminary.

“Practicum” denotes practical education experience within a course. The emphasis within a practicum is the practice of specific ministry skills. This may take place in a classroom, chapel, a local church, or other appropriate setting. Practicums may vary in number of hours from 20 to 70 hours.

“Field Education” denotes 20 hours of practical education experience within a course that takes place outside of the regular classroom setting. The emphasis in field education is learning that takes place through interaction with people and organizations related to the field of study.

“Immersion” denotes at least 50% of class time will take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. Immersions typically involve more field education than practicum.

Colloquia Credits:  MACM students are required to earn 6 theological colloquia credits. The colloquia are administration and faculty-approved events held on campus or other events approved by the student’s faculty adviser.

Required GPA for Graduation: Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average.

Requirements for Ordination: Memphis Theological Seminary offers additional courses that meet ordination requirements for certain denominations. Students seeking ordination should consult their denomination officials to ascertain current requirements and procedures.

NOTE: Degree requirements listed here are for overview purposes only. Official degree requirements are found in the most current Academic Catalog or on current degree sheets.