Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A.

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Program Director: Quentin P. Kinnison, Ph.D.

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership is designed for both traditional undergraduate and adult accelerated or degree completion program students currently in or preparing for Christian ministry. In this program students will be challenged to think biblically about Jesus and his Kingdom in relation to the larger world, cultivate personal spiritual formation, enhance competencies in ministry skills, and engage real-life ministry contexts.

The major consists of three learning components: course work, spiritual formations, and applied learning in an internship. The course work component consists of classroom experiences designed to address the unique and ongoing challenge of Christian ministry. Classes generally meet one night a week. In addition, there are a few courses that will be online and most courses will have an online component, so some computer literacy is important. The spiritual formation component consists of courses designed to run throughout the semester, concurrent with other courses, with a retreat component at the conclusion of the semester. An internship component is integrated into the program and provides students with hands-on experience and integrated reflection. The internship also usually culminates with a retreat component at the end of each semester.

The Christian Ministry and Leadership program exists to equip students with knowledge, skills, and personal development so that they can love what God loves through a life of vocational ministry. Love what God loves by equipping yourself to join God's mission through a life of vocational ministry.

Admissions Requirements

See the Admission Policies and Requirements section of the catalog for further information on admission requirements to the university.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of biblical theology including foundational principles of biblical interpretation and a relevant, contemporary theology of the church.
Perform skills in Christian leadership, practical programming, communication (written and oral), pastoral ministries and the practice of hospitality as a Christian imperative.
Interpret issues of personal nature, calling, and formation.
Develop proficiency and explore calling through an internship experience ministry such as youth, worship, or children's ministry.

Credit-Bearing Grades

Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their Christian Ministry and Leadership courses. Exceptions: Students may receive credit for any other general education or elective course, with a D -.

Program Length/Semester Starts

This is a scheduled, 24-month cohort program. New students may be added to a cohort at the beginning of each semester (January and August).

Locations Offered

Fresno Main Campus

Required Courses (47 units)

The following units must be earned at Fresno Pacific University:

ACCT 301 - Accounting for Management Credits 3 *
BIB 428 - Biblical Theology Credits 3
BLIT/BIB Course Credits 3
COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
MIN 310 - Perspectives on Mission and Ministry Credits 2
MIN 330 - Disability Ministry Concepts Credits 3
MIN 360 - The Church in an Urban World Credits 2
MIN 470 - Pastoral Ministries Credits 2
MIN 376 - Current Practices in Evangelism and Discipleship Credits 2
MIN 378 - Worship Ministries Concepts Credits 2
MIN 392 - Biblical Interpretation and Teaching Credits 2
MIN 397 - Spiritual Formation: Perils, Pitfalls and Potential of Ministry Credits 2
MIN 398 - Spiritual Formation: Cultivating a Prayerful Heart Credits 2
MIN 399 - Spiritual Formation: Taking Care of the Inner Life Credits 2
MIN 450 - Leadership in Ministry Credits 2
REL 455 - Christians and Religious Neighbors Credits 3
THEO 300 - Introduction to Theology and Ethics Credits 3
*ACCT 301 may be substituted with FIN 450 or FIN 460 in consultation with the program director

Christian Ministry & Leadership Internship Series (6 units total)

CML Internship (MIN 482 & MIN 483 series) may be completed by either 3 semesters of 2 units (preferred for adult accelerated students) or 2 summers at 3 units with the program director's approval. Students take MIN 482 in the semesters leading to their final semester and MIN 483 in their final semester.

MIN 482 - Christian Ministry and Leadership Internship - Integration Credits 2 - 3
MIN 483 - Christian Ministry and Leadership Internship - Summative Credits 2-3

Electives

Elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Arts minimums. This requirement may be met through allowable college coursework, Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, and Military or ACE credit.

Lower Division Major Requirements

For more information on General Education requirements, please see: General Education

All students in the major are required to take the necessary general education courses in addition to those outlined in the major. Students in the Christian Ministry and Leadership program (both traditional and adult accelerated or degree completion) are required to complete BIB-100/300/314, a BLIT course, and the focus series. The focus series is achieved within the major through MIN-450 and COM-420.

Students who have not completed the foreign language requirement are encouraged to take either the Biblical Hebrew or Classic Greek to complete this GE requirement.

Bridge to Ministry Pathway

First-time freshman, including those with transfer units, should consider the Bridge to Ministry Accelerated Pastoral Degree Pathway as a way to earn your bachelor's and master's in five years total (three years for the BA and two years for the MA). This includes $1,500 in scholarship money for qualifiying students. For more information on the Bridge to Ministry pathway, click here

Advanced Standing at FPU Biblical Seminary

Students who graduate from the CML program and meet all appropriate academic standards, may be eligible to receive Advanced Standing to the FPU Biblical Seminary master's programs in ministry and divinity, or have courses waived for other programs. Students must pass the following undergraduate classes with a B or better to be eligible for Advanced Standing with admission to the FPU Biblical Seminary:

BIB 100/300	BLIT 301-499
MIN 397	MIN 398
MIN 399	MIN 450
COM 420	REL 455
MIN 360	MIN 470
MIN 392	MIN 378

Please see Advanced Standing policy and application process or contact Seminary Admission for more information.