![A picture of a communion table and pulpit with the words "M.Div. In Congregational Ministry"](https://www.fletcherseminary.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-1024x256.png)
Fletcher’s M.Div. with a concentration in Congregational Ministry is an excellent program for students who are interested in pursuing a career in congregational ministry. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the dynamics of congregational ministry, including congregational leadership, pastoral care, and contextual ministry approaches.
One of the key strengths of the program is its focus on congregational leadership. Students learn about the challenges and opportunities of leading a congregation, including the need to build relationships, manage conflict, and develop effective communication strategies. The program also emphasizes the importance of spiritual formation for leaders, helping students to develop the inner resources necessary to lead with integrity and compassion.
Another key focus of the program is pastoral care. Students learn about the unique needs of congregants and the role of the pastor in providing spiritual guidance and support. The program also emphasizes the importance of self-care for pastors, helping students to develop practices that will sustain them in their ministry over the long term.
The program also teaches students about contextual ministry approaches, helping them to understand the unique needs and challenges of different communities and contexts. This includes learning about cultural sensitivity and the importance of building relationships across cultural boundaries.
Overall, Fletcher’s M.Div. with a concentration in Congregational Ministry is an excellent program for students who are interested in pursuing a career in congregational ministry. Its focus on congregational leadership, pastoral care, and contextual ministry approaches provide students with a deep understanding of the dynamics of congregational ministry and prepare them for a range of roles within the church.
M.Div. Congregational Ministry Track | ||||||||||||||||
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Preparing for Ministry | 3 | |||||||||||||||
MNST 6301 | Preparation for Ministry | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Interpreting Christian Scripture | 15 | |||||||||||||||
BIBL 6300 | Principles of Interpretation | 3 | ||||||||||||||
BIBL 6311* | Interpreting the New Testament I* | 3 | ||||||||||||||
BIBL 6312* | Interpreting the New Testament II* | 3 | ||||||||||||||
BIBL 6331* | Interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures I* | 3 | ||||||||||||||
BIBL 6332* | Interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures II* | 3 | ||||||||||||||
*Note: Students lacking hermeneutics in previous UG or graduate coursework take BIBL 6300, Introduction to the Bible, in place of one OT or NT course. | ||||||||||||||||
**Note: The student may select either Greek or Hebrew for the Language requirement. The student must complete both sections of the same language to satisfy the language requirement. Language I must be taken before Language II. | ||||||||||||||||
Understanding Christian Life & Thought | 15 | |||||||||||||||
THEO 6300 | Applied Christian Theology | 3 | ||||||||||||||
CHST 6300 | Applied Christian History | 3 | ||||||||||||||
THEO 6330 | Advanced Theology (Denominational) | 3 | ||||||||||||||
THEO 6351 | Contemporary Issues in Theology | 3 | ||||||||||||||
CHST 6303 | Denominational History and Polity | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Ministering to Persons | 36 | |||||||||||||||
SPFM 6300 | Introduction to Christian Ministry | 3 | ||||||||||||||
SPFM 6303 | Spiritual Practices | 3 | ||||||||||||||
SPFM 6302 | Ethics as Spiritual Formation | 3 | ||||||||||||||
PMIN 6310 | Pastoral Care | 3 | ||||||||||||||
CLDS 6340 | Congregational Leadership Dynamics | 3 | ||||||||||||||
CLDS 6370 | Christian Worship (taught by denom. Adjunct) | 3 | ||||||||||||||
MNST6340 | Preaching | 3 | ||||||||||||||
CLDS 6360 | Conflict Management in Ministry | 3 | ||||||||||||||
PMIN 63XX # | Pastoral Ministry Elective | 3 | ||||||||||||||
PMIN 63XX # | Pastoral Ministry Elective | 3 | ||||||||||||||
**** 63XX | Free Elective ^ | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Integrating the Theory & Practice of Ministry | 9 | |||||||||||||||
SMIN 6301 | Clinical Pastoral Education (1 Unit) | 3 | ||||||||||||||
SMIN 6303 | Supervision in Ministry | 3 | ||||||||||||||
SMIN 6330 | Capstone | 3 | ||||||||||||||
# Elective courses for the Pastoral Ministry Track will be taken from the following courses. | ||||||||||||||||
PMIN 6320 | Trauma Informed Ministry | |||||||||||||||
PMIN 6370 | Worship as Pastoral Care | |||||||||||||||
PMIN 6350 | Ethics of Jesus | |||||||||||||||
^ Free Electives may come from PMIN electives or from any other course according to the student's interest | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 78 |