Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry
The Master/Bachelor of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry program gives men a thorough preparation for the work of shepherding God's people. In the three-year course of study, men come to know the Bible, the doctrine, and the history of Christ's Church. They learn the skills needed to be a biblical pastor as they put theory into practice under the care of the elders and pastors of their church. Classes are split between pre-recorded video classes, live video-conference classes, mentor-led practica, and self-guided independent studies.
Qualified candidates are accepted into the MDiv/BD program while remaining located in their local supporting churches. Each candidate has a local mentor, approved by NGA. Students complete coursework primarily through live video-conference courses, with additional pre-recorded, mentor-led, and self-guided courses as well as face-to-face contact through conferences and modules.
The 99-credit hour degree can be completed in three academic years and three summers. NGA's curriculum is taught on a three-year/six semester rotation. A student begins in the Luther, Knox, or Calvin year. In addition, he will complete courses in the summer terms whose content depends on his own timeline.
Here's how this plays out. The summer before a student's first set of Fall classes, he will take our Reading, Writing, and Arguing course. He will then begin in the Fall (and each Fall) with a mandatory on-site day-long module with introduction to courses for the semester. For the following fifteen weeks, he will take two or three courses by participating in live video conference classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-9PM. In most semesters a self-paced, pre-recorded class is also completed. (The spring semester has the same format.) For his summer term, he will take an introductory Biblical language class and a pre-recorded class, and begin work on the one of the two independent study papers. Each year, students are required to attend NGA's Shepherds Conference.
Throughout each semester and summer, the student will work with his mentor toward accomplishment of the 24-credit practicum series.
Independent study papers (theological and exegetical) are completed in the student's second and third years.
The sequence of asynchronous classes that a student will follow (regardless of which year he matriculates) is:
Here's the full picture of our flagship Master/Bachelor of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry curriculum:
The 99-credit hour degree can be completed in three academic years and three summers. NGA's curriculum is taught on a three-year/six semester rotation. A student begins in the Luther, Knox, or Calvin year. In addition, he will complete courses in the summer terms whose content depends on his own timeline.
Here's how this plays out. The summer before a student's first set of Fall classes, he will take our Reading, Writing, and Arguing course. He will then begin in the Fall (and each Fall) with a mandatory on-site day-long module with introduction to courses for the semester. For the following fifteen weeks, he will take two or three courses by participating in live video conference classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-9PM. In most semesters a self-paced, pre-recorded class is also completed. (The spring semester has the same format.) For his summer term, he will take an introductory Biblical language class and a pre-recorded class, and begin work on the one of the two independent study papers. Each year, students are required to attend NGA's Shepherds Conference.
Throughout each semester and summer, the student will work with his mentor toward accomplishment of the 24-credit practicum series.
Independent study papers (theological and exegetical) are completed in the student's second and third years.
The sequence of asynchronous classes that a student will follow (regardless of which year he matriculates) is:
- Biblical & Covenant Theology
- Systematics 1: Scripture, God, & Man
- Systematics 2: Christ, Salvation, & Eschatology
- Systematics 3: Church & Sacraments
- Ethics
- Apologetics
Here's the full picture of our flagship Master/Bachelor of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry curriculum:
PRE-SUMMER |
|
Reading, Writing, & Arguing |
3 |
LUTHER YEAR |
|||
Semester 1 |
Credits |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
Gospels & Acts |
3 |
Pentateuch & OT Historical Books |
3 |
Church History: Ancient & Medieval |
3 |
Church History: Reformation & Modern |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Practicum |
3 |
Practicum |
3 |
1st SUMMER |
|
Introductory Greek |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 1: Theology (part 1) |
1 |
Practicum |
3 |
KNOX YEAR |
|||
Semester 1 |
Credits |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
Hermeneutics 1: Translation |
3 |
Hermeneutics 2: Preaching |
3 |
The Apostle Paul's Epistles |
3 |
General Epistles & Revelation |
3 |
Reformed Worship |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 1: Theology (part 2) |
1 |
Independent Study Paper 1: Theology (part 3) |
1 |
Practicum |
3 |
Practicum |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 1 & Greek will fall in the student's second year, regardless of where in the cycle of classes he matriculates.
2nd SUMMER |
|
Introductory Hebrew |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 2: Exegesis (part 1) |
1 |
Practicum |
3 |
CALVIN YEAR |
|||
Semester 1 |
Credits |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
Pastoral Theology: Leadership |
3 |
Pastoral Theology: Shepherding |
3 |
Psalms & Wisdom Books |
3 |
Prophets |
3 |
Biblical Counsel & Discipleship |
3 |
Asynchronous Class |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 2: Exegesis (part 2) |
1 |
Independent Study Paper 2: Exegesis (part 3) |
1 |
Practicum |
3 |
Practicum |
3 |
Independent Study Paper 2 & Hebrew will fall in the student's third year, regardless of where in the cycle of classes he matriculates.
PRACTICA
Each semester, including summer terms, students will pursue a practicum. Here's an overview of each of the units:
1. Preaching (5 credits) Students will be mentored in writing and preaching. It is expected that a student will preach approximately 4 exegetical sermons, 1 topical sermons, and 1 evangelistic sermons.
2. Teaching and Discipleship (3 credits) Students will gain teaching experience in three areas: children (catechetical training, Sunday school, youth group work), adults (men’s group, Adult CE), individual discipleship (one-to-one mentoring, formal counseling). Students will participate in ongoing ministry (minimum of two semesters) in one of these areas.
3. Visitation (2 credits) Students will participate in a minimum of 12 visits (hospital, nursing home, church members, church visitors) and write three-page reflection-papers on their experiences.
4. Personal Disciplines (3 credits) Students will discuss personal and family disciplines (daily Bible reading, meditation, and prayer) in their regular meetings with mentors. Students will write a personal testimony. Students will receive instruction in stewardship of personal finances and demonstrate financial faithfulness. Student will develop a plan for regular participation in evangelism and implement it.
5. Worship Leading (3 credits) Students will gain experience in planning worship services, organizing services, and leading in worship services (including singing, praying, and Scripture reading).
6. Administration & Leadership (5 credits) Students will gain experience in administration by discussions with mentor and participating in administration through activities such as attendance at church budgeting committees, attendance at church and denominational committee meetings, attendance at church staff meetings, development of prayer & financial support for missionaries, etc. Students will participate in ongoing administrative responsibility assigned by the mentor (minimum of two semesters) in one such area. Additionally, students will gain experience in leadership by discussions with mentor and attending session meetings, diaconate meetings, as well as the session meeting of another church, if possible. Students will read Robert’s Rules of Order and meet with each active elder of the church. Students will participate in ongoing leadership responsibility assigned by mentors (minimum of two semesters) in one such area. If the administrative responsibility is a leadership position, this responsibility can fulfill both requirements.
7. Ordination Prep (3 credits) Students will prepare for ordination exams.
1. Preaching (5 credits) Students will be mentored in writing and preaching. It is expected that a student will preach approximately 4 exegetical sermons, 1 topical sermons, and 1 evangelistic sermons.
2. Teaching and Discipleship (3 credits) Students will gain teaching experience in three areas: children (catechetical training, Sunday school, youth group work), adults (men’s group, Adult CE), individual discipleship (one-to-one mentoring, formal counseling). Students will participate in ongoing ministry (minimum of two semesters) in one of these areas.
3. Visitation (2 credits) Students will participate in a minimum of 12 visits (hospital, nursing home, church members, church visitors) and write three-page reflection-papers on their experiences.
4. Personal Disciplines (3 credits) Students will discuss personal and family disciplines (daily Bible reading, meditation, and prayer) in their regular meetings with mentors. Students will write a personal testimony. Students will receive instruction in stewardship of personal finances and demonstrate financial faithfulness. Student will develop a plan for regular participation in evangelism and implement it.
5. Worship Leading (3 credits) Students will gain experience in planning worship services, organizing services, and leading in worship services (including singing, praying, and Scripture reading).
6. Administration & Leadership (5 credits) Students will gain experience in administration by discussions with mentor and participating in administration through activities such as attendance at church budgeting committees, attendance at church and denominational committee meetings, attendance at church staff meetings, development of prayer & financial support for missionaries, etc. Students will participate in ongoing administrative responsibility assigned by the mentor (minimum of two semesters) in one such area. Additionally, students will gain experience in leadership by discussions with mentor and attending session meetings, diaconate meetings, as well as the session meeting of another church, if possible. Students will read Robert’s Rules of Order and meet with each active elder of the church. Students will participate in ongoing leadership responsibility assigned by mentors (minimum of two semesters) in one such area. If the administrative responsibility is a leadership position, this responsibility can fulfill both requirements.
7. Ordination Prep (3 credits) Students will prepare for ordination exams.