Master of Arts in Christian Leadership

The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership at Vision International University combines advanced online studies with optional but highly recommended interactive residencies at the Center for Healthy Leadership in Elkhart, Indiana. Directed by Dr. Malcolm Webber, Dean of the College of Christian Leadership, this program aims to cultivate high-caliber leaders equipped to face the challenges of ministry and organizational leadership in today’s dynamic environment.

Program Structure:

This Master of Arts in Christian Leadership program consists of 36 credit hours, with each course spanning 3 credit hours. The curriculum integrates deep theoretical insights with practical leadership experiences, providing students a comprehensive understanding of Christian leadership.

Prerequisites:

Core Courses:

  1. Advanced Leadership and Administration (CE 503): Focuses on high-level leadership skills and strategic administration within church and ministry settings.
  2. Introduction to Leadership and Leaders (LE 501): Explores fundamental leadership theories and the qualities of effective leaders.
  3. Ministry Leadership Foundations (LE 502): The Masters in Christian Leadership provides a base for understanding and practicing leadership within ministry contexts.
  4. Leadership Practicum (LE 511): Offers hands-on leadership experience, emphasizing practical application of learned skills.
  5. Christian Worldview (PT 504): Examines how Christian perspectives influence leadership and decision-making.
  6. Church Administration and Leadership (CE 501): Addresses the organizational aspects of church management.
  7. Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management (CE 502): Teaches skills for effective communication and resolving conflicts.
  8. Dynamics of Effective Leaders and Followers (LE 503): Analyzes the interaction between leaders and their teams.
  9. Spirituality and Leadership (LE 504): Investigates the role of personal spirituality in enhancing leadership effectiveness.
  10. Contemporary Issues in Leadership (LE 505): Discusses current trends and challenges in leadership.
  11. Leader Development (LE 506): Focuses on the continuous growth and development of leaders.
  12. Human Development From a Christian Perspective (CO 510): Explores developmental psychology through a Christian lens.

Program Highlights:

Ministry Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership are prepared to take on significant leadership roles in various contexts including churches, non-profit organizations, and Christian ministries. They will be equipped to lead with integrity, make strategic decisions, and guide others in a way that is informed by Christian values and a deep understanding of human behavior.

The Master of Arts in Christian Leadership degree program is a unique combination of interactive residencies (optional, but highly recommended) at the Center for Healthy Leadership in Elkhart, Indiana, and online studies. The program is directed by Dr. Malcolm Webber, Dean of the College of Christian Leadership. The Master of Arts in Leadership degree program consists of 36 credit hours. Each course is 3 credit hours.

Prerequisite:

Required Courses:

A church leader wears many hats. In this course learners discover how to maximize productivity in the various functions of church leadership. The course examines the biblical foundation and practical functions of administrative leadership in churches and Christian organizations, and focuses on developing successful, biblical attitudes and skills among team leaders. Students will analyze basic leadership principles from secular and evangelical sources, analyzing them through a biblical/theological grid. (This advanced course is built on ITS course CE 501 Church Leadership and Administration. However, CE 501 is not a prerequisite for this course.)

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This is a study of the nature of leadership. It will introduce a practical definition of what leadership is, briefly consider the recent history of leadership research, reflect on changing paradigms in Christian leadership today, and study the differences between leadership and management. Particular focus is given to the nature of transformational leadership. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of the nature of leadership and leaders, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own roles as leaders and managers, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for their improvement as leaders, 4) give students a clear conceptual framework within which to understand the differences between leadership and management, along with the practical implications of those differences, and 5) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is one of the required courses for students pursuing degrees in leadership. It is designed to acquaint these students, as well as pastors, chaplains, educators, church workers with a model of healthy Christian leadership as well as a clear understanding of both servant and abusive leadership. Particular focus is given to the centrality of Christ in Christian leadership. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of a healthy Christian leader and servant leadership, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own lives and ministries, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for leadership improvement, 4) provide students with an understanding of the characteristics of abusive leaders, 5) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own strengths and weaknesses as leaders, 6) guide the students in making personal plans for avoiding being abusive leaders, and 7) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is one of the required courses for students pursuing degrees in leadership. This course consists of a collage of practical learning experiences, dealing with the student's spiritual and character development in the context of relationships with others, on an ongoing basis throughout the degree program. It is designed to implement much of the content of the other courses in the lives of these students, pastors, chaplains, educators and church workers. Particular focus is given to create a context for life change in all the aspects of healthy leadership. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) lead the students in the development of their own spiritual lives, 2) lead the students in the development of their own relational lives in both areas of church and family life, 3) lead the students in the development of their own lives and ministries in the area of calling, and 4) increase students' capacity to take theoretical information and use it in a practical way to facilitate life change for themselves and others.

Credits: 6

Enroll Online

How do you view reality? What is the source of your knowledge? Do you live what you believe? Such are the questions that a worldview answers. This course examines the nature and function of belief structures, and the value of developing and living a distinctly Christian life. The course develops a Christian worldview from a redemptive history model of Biblical theology, which is then clarified using the philosophical categories of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Learners will gain an understanding of modern and postmodern thought and how to critique them biblically, and are encouraged to develop and apply a Christian worldview to life and ministry.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

A course designed to develop leadership potential in students and to give them a familiarity with the various elements of the administrative process, including: goal setting and achieving, organization, delegation, human relations, group dynamics, supervision and the training of other leaders. Though the principles are universal, the focus of the course is the local church.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

An examination of the process of interpersonal communication and conflict management in human relationships within Christian organizations, with attention given to communication models, self-concept, non-verbal messages, stress and other strategies that will assist the Christian leader in developing interpersonal communication skills and the productive use of conflict.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is one of the required courses for students pursuing degrees in leadership. It is designed to acquaint these students, as well as pastors, chaplains, educators, church workers with basic models of effective leadership and followership from a biblical perspective. Particular focus is given to the practices of effective leaders and effective followers. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of the practices of effective leaders, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own leadership practices, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for leadership improvement, 4) provide students with an understanding of the characteristics of healthy followers, 5) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own strengths and weaknesses as followers, 6) guide the students in making personal plans for followership improvement, 7) provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the causes and prevention of leadership derailment, and 8) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is the most important one in the leadership degree program. It is designed to acquaint students, as well as pastors, chaplains, educators, church workers with a clear biblical understanding of the core role of true spirituality in Christian leadership. Particular focus is given to union with Christ as the heart of healthy Christian leadership. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of true spirituality in Christian leadership, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own spiritual lives and motives for ministry, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for improvement in their spiritual lives, and 4) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is one of the required courses for students pursuing degrees in leadership. It is designed to acquaint these students, as well as pastors, chaplains, educators, church workers with an understanding of several key contemporary issues in leadership: teams, change, organizational improvisation, multiculturalism and women in leadership. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of these contemporary issues, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own leadership practices, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for leadership improvement, and 4) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course is one of the required courses for students pursuing degrees in leadership. It is designed to acquaint these students, as well as pastors, chaplains, educators, church workers with a biblical and practical model of effective leader development. Particular focus is given to the 18 principles of how leaders are built. The underlying purposes of the course are to: 1) provide students with an understanding of how leaders are built, 2) lead the students in personal evaluations of their own leadership development, 3) guide the students in making personal plans for building other leaders, 4) guide the students in making personal plans for their improvement as leaders, and 5) increase students' critical thinking, writing skills and report preparation.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online

This course to focuses on the anatomical, physiological, intellectual, sociological and spiritual development of the human organism from conception until death. The major theorists in the area of human development will be researched and the various major theories of human development will be critically compared. Specifically, this course views human growth and development as a psychological, biological, and spiritual process that demands an integrated analysis. The course addresses the development and wellness of individuals and families throughout the life cycle. The aspects of development including biological, social, cognitive, emotional, and moral will be covered. The course will examine how the abilities, needs, problems, and concerns of humans change throughout life, and how people are shaped by their experiences throughout their development.

Credits: 3

Enroll Online