Bethel Seminary

The Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies (M.A.G.C.S.) builds upon an appropriate undergraduate degree and integrates insights from the other disciplines at Bethel Seminary. The program introduces students to the biblical, theological, historical, cultural/contextual, and strategic foundations for an informed and effective communication of the Christian message across cultures, whether overseas or among the growing ethnic populations within the United States. Students may enroll in either the traditional or the InMinistry (distance learning) version of the program.

Traditional M.A.G.C.S. students are required to complete a ministry practicum (supervised ministry experience) with an approved mentor (a minimum of one term of study) within a cross-cultural environment, either with an approved overseas partner or in a domestic environment with significant opportunities for cross-cultural ministry in the U.S. Partners can be churches with significant cross-cultural ministries in the U.S.; mission agencies and field missionaries working among specific people groups or urban centers overseas; overseas seminaries; or overseas churches and national church leaders who target specific people groups or who have diversified or specialized urban ministries among multiple ethnic groups.

The InMinistry (distance learning) M.A.G.C.S. requires students to complete at least one intensive (or two courses) in an approved international context, and allows them the option of completing as many as one-half of the normal on-campus intensives (or six intensive courses) at approved international extension sites. The remaining six intensives are offered at St. Paul, San Diego, or Seminary of the East locations. All intensives begin with four weeks of preparation via distance learning prior to the intensive week on campus (whether traditional or at an international location). The one-week intensive is then followed by another four weeks of at-distance instruction including online discussions, application of on-campus learning to the student’s ministry setting, and preparation of final course projects. During the intensive week, 30 hours of classroom instruction are supplemented by chapel, meetings with faculty and cohort groups, and study time.

Specifically, the M.A.G.C.S. enhances the development of practical ministry skills related to the following key issues:

A relevant theology for effective cross-cultural ministry
An accurate understanding of the contemporary world and its needs
An interdisciplinary perspective for planning and leading effective ministries
The cultural dimensions of effective global and contextual ministry
The ability to accurately exegete a cultural-especially urban-context
Incarnational models for effective cross-cultural ministry
Contextualization of the Christian message
The utilization of points of contact within other religious traditions

Bethel Seminary is taking applications now from students who wish to begin the traditional M.A.G.C.S. program as early as next quarter or the InMinistry M.A.G.C.S. program as early as summer ’06. Follow this link to the seminary website and learn more about the Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies.

My goal is that students pursuing the Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies will:

1) Acquire cognitive content, that they will grow intellectually as a result of taking these classes.

2) Experience a change of attitude-attitude towards people of other cultures, races, and faiths-so that they can adopt a more positive, affirming, accepting, less denigrating or judgmental approach, thus creating a milieu in which ministry can take place in far more effective ways.

3) Develop the practical skills necessary to more effectively exegete cultural context-skills in ethnographic study and demographic research, for example.

4) Learn and hone people skills such as problem solving, conflict resolution, leadership, and team building.

5) Grow spiritually; in the midst of their studies, students can lose their sense of closeness to God. We would fail as a seminary if we did not enable students to continue to develop personally and spiritually in their walk with the Lord.

-Wilbur Stone