Our Mission
Grace College of Divinity is a Biblical higher education institution dedicated to Preparing Emerging Leaders to Change the World by advancing the Kingdom of God through sound Biblical training, practical ministry, and personal development.
Institutional Goals
Spiritual Goals
It is the intent of Grace College of Divinity that all students:
- Exhibit attitudes and values consistent with the mission of Grace College of Divinity;
- Exhibit a maturing personal relationship with Jesus Christ;
- Value the role of the Holy Spirit and the distribution of His gifts in advancing the Kingdom of God;
- Develop a lifestyle of individual and corporate worship, intercession, and prayer for themselves, their ministry, and the world;
- Develop a lifestyle of spiritual disciplines;
- Demonstrate a spiritual component in the workplace.
Academic Goals
It is the intent of Grace College of Divinity that all students:
- Exercise graduate-level competencies in reading, writing, speaking, and researching;
- Exercise critical and creative thinking skills that are necessary to analyze ideas and solve problems;
- Integrate their learning into a Christian worldview based upon sound Biblical exegesis.
Emotional-Social Goal
It is the intent of Grace College of Divinity that all students develop and exercise personal sensitivities and interpersonal skills that facilitate harmonious relationships in culturally diverse environments.
Ministerial Goal
It is the intent of Grace College of Divinity that all students be able to articulate charismatic distinctives and exercise fundamental ministerial abilities to:
- Equip students through effective programs to prepare them as God’s people to change the world;
- Supply leaders for mPact Churches and associated churches;
- Value church planting and healthy church development;
- Pursue the expression of these values by preparing God’s people to change the world.
Institutional Objectives
In harmony with the mission and the institutional goals of the College, GCD expects certain outcomes to be demonstrated by its graduates. The combination of these institutional objectives for each student and the specific objectives for each academic program provides a basis for assessing a student’s progress and the institution’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission.
Graduating students will:
- Exhibit behaviors associated with a mature relationship with Jesus Christ;
- Develop and exercise Christian character through trusting relationships and understanding a Christian worldview;
- Understand the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and develop individual spiritual gifts;
- Demonstrate and participate in various experiences exemplifying spiritual disciplines;
- Demonstrate and understand components of spiritual gifts, talents, personality, and passions in the work environment;
- Exercise competencies in reading, writing, critical thinking, speaking, and research.
To facilitate these objectives GCD will:
- Provide a Holy Spirit-filled environment for men and women called of God;
- Provide sound Biblical and Theological knowledge;
- Define and integrate Christian beliefs and values through the interpretation of relevant Scripture;
- Provide skills to be effective leaders;
- Work with mPact Churches and associate churches encouraging Leadership in Action;
- Introduce values and skills for effective church planting and church development.
Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
Focus Areas (Each Student Chooses One of the Following): Biblical Studies, Intercultural Studies, Organizational Leadership, or Worship Leadership. Each student will designate their area of focus by submitting a Focus Area Form within the first 9 semester hours of graduate coursework at GCD. Students must also update their Focus Area Declaration Form (Google Doc) at the end of each semester to confirm that course projects are related to their chosen area of focus. The following form below is a sample of the Google Doc form that M.A.C.L. students will update digitally throughout their coursework at GCD. A similar form will also be completed at the end of each semester for M.Div. Students.
Program Objectives
This program will do the following:
- Confront the student with the Word of God proclaiming humanity’s alienation from God and God’s work of redemption in Christ as found in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, and to explore ramifications of this gospel for the student’s personal life and the work of leadership in the context of the church and the world.
- Equip the student to lead with integrity grounded in a Judeo-Christian worldview and values system.
- Give the student an understanding of how to apply Christian and organizational leadership knowledge, theories, and skills within a global context.
- Equip the student for research that is exegetical, qualitative and quantitative for leadership and organizational understanding, analysis and problem solving.
| Class | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MBIB 501 | New Testament Introductions | 3 |
| MBIB 502 | Old Testament Introductions | 3 |
| MBIB 601 | Historical Biblical Leaders | 3 |
| MBIB 602 | Biblical Issues for Leadership | 3 |
| MLEA 501 | Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| MLEA 502 | Christian Leadership Development | 3 |
| MLEA 503 | Strategic Leadership & Change | 3 |
| MLEA 504 | Contemporary Leadership Issues | 3 |
| MLEA 601 | Case Analyses for Organizational & Church Leadership | 3 |
| MLEA 602 | Organizational Research & Analysis | 3 |
| MLEA 603 | Global Leadership | 3 |
| MLEA 604 | Culminating Experience | 3 |
Ministry Development
The internship presents a vital link in supporting the ministry of the Body of Christ. The college student is teamed with people in ministry in a mentor-protégé relationship. This experiential learning format offers a living process that balances classroom education with supervised ministry. The internship helps prepare students to understand the basic dynamics of congregational life, as well as focus on a ministry specialty. The ministry setting may include teaching, discipling, leading ministry programs, pastoring, pulpit supply, cross-cultural outreach, or church planting. Interns work through the dynamics of leading, decision-making, ministry management, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Unique aspects of the program are:
- Developmental levels – The internship moves through general aspects of spiritual formation and character development to specialized ministry experiences.
- Small groups – Ministry learning experiences are processed with student peers.
- Mentor-intern relationships – Mentors provide a developmental relationship which takes the intern through challenges with wisdom and a seasoned perspective. The intern will draft a personal developmental plan that helps measure personal progress and process Theological perspectives.
- Faculty interaction – Resident faculty, along with adjunct faculty and internship advisors, are actively involved in ministry and readily available to help the intern wrestle with difficult issues.
Mentoring
The vision and philosophy of Grace College of Divinity involves impartation for degree-oriented students through mentoring that proceeds from the college and the local church. This cooperative effort includes equipping the student for growth in the practical, character, and academic areas of life and ministry. The goal is to help students clarify their calling and nurture their gifts while releasing ministry to the Body of Christ.
Online Learning
Students may work toward Grace College of Divinity certificate or degree requirements through the college’s online learning experience. Online classes follow the same syllabus requirements as on campus classes, allowing students to earn credits toward GCD’s accredited programs. Classes in the online learning experience are typically structured around a discussion board through which students interact with each other and with faculty, access course information, and post assignments and reflections on class material. The online learning is designed to give students:
- Greater freedom in their learning experience;
- Increased engagement with course material and classmates through online discussion boards;
- Ability to more closely tailor their studies to their own learning pace;
- A more convenient education platform for leaders in full-time ministry, military servicemen, working professionals, out of state students, or students with unique life circumstances.
Course Descriptions for Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
Theological and Biblical Studies
| MBIB 501 | New Testament Introduction (3 credit hours)
This is an interdisciplinary study of the New Testament with an academic focus on topics, as well as exegetical processes. This class examines a wide range of scholarship for the entire New Testament canon, its historical setting, and both traditional and more current approaches to the text (including rhetorical, literary, and social approaches).
|
| MBIB 502 | Old Testament Introduction (3 credit hours)
This is an interdisciplinary study of the Old Testament with an academic focus on topics, as well as exegetical processes. This class examines a wide range of scholarship for the entire Old Testament canon, its historical setting, and both traditional and more current approaches to the text (including rhetorical, literary, and social approaches).
|
| MBIB 601 | Historical Biblical Leaders (3 credit hours)
This is an examination of Biblical leaders in the Old and New Testaments with a focus on characteristics of a godly leader as well as the success and flaws of the leaders in Scripture. In addition, great leaders of the church will be studied for insights for godly leadership.
|
| MBIB 602 | Biblical Issues for Leadership (3 credit hours)
In this class, the student will study the issues from scripture concerning character and the fruit of the Spirit in connection to leadership. In addition, ethics will be examined from a Biblical perspective. |
Leadership Studies
| MBIB 501 | Organizational Leadership (3 credit hours)
This class is an exploration of what makes an effective leader. In this process, both theory and practice in organizational leadership are examined through exploring major theories and research on leadership effectiveness.
|
| MLEA 502 | Christian Leadership Development (3 credit hours)
This class examines the process of becoming an effective Christian leader and examines the lives of many historical and Biblical leaders. The student will explore several stages of leadership development while considering the issue of God’s providence in leadership development. In addition, leadership characteristics and issues for future leadership development will be explored.
|
| MLEA 503 | Strategic Leadership and Change (3 credit hours)
The concept of strategic leadership and vision will be examined from several perspectives including Biblical, anthropological and social views. In addition, the concept of organizational culture will be explored along with discovering methods for examining and changing this important aspect of organizations.
|
| MLEA 504 | Contemporary Leadership Issues (3 credit hours)
This class is an examination of contemporary issues for organizational and Christian leadership with a focus on new theories and their relevance to Biblical leadership. Some of the theories included in this research include servant, transformational, kenotic, authentic, and self-leadership as well as contemporary thinking in other rising models of leadership.
|
| MLEA 601 | Case Analyses for Organizational and Church Leadership (3 credit hours)
Individual case studies for churches and other types of organizations will be studied in this class. The student will learn to develop case studies of different types of organizations for the purpose of understanding and making recommendations for the improvement of the organization.
|
| MLEA 602 | Organizational Research and Analysis (3 credit hours)
In this class, the student will learn different methods of research analysis including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. In addition, qualitative analysis will be used for research topics related to Christian leadership.
|
| MLEA 603 | Global Leadership (3 credit hours)
Leadership and organizations are studied in the context of various cultures and culture is examined for its effect on leadership. The connection between societal, organizational, cultural, and leadership effectiveness will be examined. In this process, effective leadership attributes for global leadership will be developed and discussed.
|
| MLEA 604 | Culminating Experience in Leadership Studies (3 credit hours)
The student will synthesize the knowledge and skills learned throughout this program. This will be the development of a project or master’s thesis. This project will involve the issues learned in this program in analyzing an existing major organizational problem and recommending solutions or developing and testing a seminar or a written project promoting a particular thesis.
|
Program Description for the GCD Master of Divinity Program
“Preparing and Mobilizing Active Leaders”
M.Div. Focus Areas: Chaplaincy (Community), Chaplaincy (Military), Intercultural Studies, or Pastoral Ministry
- All graduate courses at GCD are either 15 or 16 weeks long.
- 500 through 800 level courses may be taken Online or, when offered, as *Hybrid courses
- * All Hybrid courses require students to attend one week of intensive class lectures at a physical location of GCD, with the following schedule: Mon.–Fri. 6:00pm–10:00pm and Saturday 9:00am–2:00pm. Extensive online reading and assignments will also be due during the weeks before and after the on-campus portion of each *Hybrid course. All GCD Graduate courses last 16 weeks in the Fall and Spring Semesters and 15 weeks in the Summer Semester.
Start of M.Div. Program — Fall 2017
(500 and 600 level courses are already being offered in our M.A.C.L. Program)
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Course Name and Description The first 12 courses of the M.Div. will be the same as the 12 we currently offer in our M.C.L. (soon to be M.A.C.L.) program. |
Semester Hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBIB 501: New Testament Introduction
Course Description: This is an interdisciplinary study of the New Testament with an academic focus on topics, as well as exegetical processes. This class examines a wide range of scholarship for the entire New Testament canon, its historical setting, and both traditional and more current approaches to the text (including rhetorical, literary, and social approaches). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBIB 502: Old Testament Introduction
Course Description: This is an interdisciplinary study of the Old Testament with an academic focus on topics, as well as exegetical processes. This class examines a wide range of scholarship for the entire Old Testament canon, its historical setting, and both traditional and more current approaches to the text (including rhetorical, literary, and social approaches). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBIB 601: Historical Biblical Leaders
Course Description: This is an examination of Biblical leaders in the Old and New Testaments with a focus on characteristics of a godly leader as well as the success and flaws of the leaders in Scripture. In addition, great leaders of the church will be studied for insights for godly leadership. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBIB 602: Biblical Issues for Leadership
Course Description: In this class, the student will study the issues from Scripture concerning character and the fruit of the Spirit in connection to leadership. In addition, ethics will be examined from a Biblical perspective. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 501: Organizational Leadership
Course Description: This class is an exploration of what makes an effective leader. In this process both theory and practice in organizational leadership are examined through exploring major theories and research on leadership effectiveness. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 502: Christian Leadership Development
Course Description: This class examines the process of becoming an effective Christian leader and examines the lives of many historical and biblical leaders. The student will explore several stages of leadership development while considering the issue of God’s providence in leadership development. In addition, leadership characteristics and issues for future leadership development will be explored. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 503: Strategic Leadership and Change
Course Description: The concept of strategic leadership and vision will be examined from several perspectives including Biblical, anthropological, and social views. In addition, the concept of organizational culture will be explored along with discovering methods for examining and changing this important aspect of organizations. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 504: Contemporary Leadership Issues
Course Description: This class is an examination of contemporary issues for organizational and Christian leadership with a focus on new theories and their relevance to Biblical leadership. Some of the theories included in this research include, servant, transformational, kenotic, authentic, and self-leadership as well as contemporary thinking in other rising models of leadership. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 601: Case Analysis for Organizational and Church Leadership
Course Description: Individual case studies for churches and other types of organizations will be studied in this class. The student will learn to develop case studies of different types for organizations for the purpose of understanding and making recommendations for the improvement of the organization. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 602: Organizational Research and Analysis
Course Description: In this class, the student will learn different methods of research analysis including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. In addition, qualitative analysis will be used for research topics related to Christian leadership. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 603: Global Leadership
Course Description: Leadership and organizations are studied in the context of various cultures and culture is examined for its effect on leadership. The connection between societal, organizational, cultural and leadership effectiveness will be examined. In this process, effective leadership attributes for global leadership will be developed and discussed. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MLEA 604: Culminating Experience (Capstone Course for M.A.C.L.)
The student will synthesize the knowledge and skills learned throughout this program. This will be the development of a project or Master’s thesis. This project will involve the issues learned in this program in analyzing an existing major organizational problem and recommending solutions or developing and testing a seminar or a written project promoting a particular thesis. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 701: World Religions and Intercultural Studies
Course Description: This course will focus on contemporary ministry within an intercultural context, with special attention given to the history, values, traditions, and dogma of several major world religions. Students will also learn and apply strategies for ministering within any multi-cultural context. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 702: Advanced Hermeneutics
Course Description: Students will study the various types of biblical literature (historical narrative, psalm, wisdom, parable, epistle, prophecy and apocalypse). Issues and best practices for interpretation will be stressed to include application to the contemporary context. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 703: Advanced Theology I
Course Description: This course provides a survey and examination of the central doctrines and tenets of the Christian faith. Students will understand, examine, and apply knowledge regarding biblical foundations, theological confessions & practices, and historical traditions & controversies. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 704: Advanced Theology II
Course Description: Students will gain further understanding in each specific theological discipline as well as a broad view of “the whole” of theology. Special attention will be given to how each discipline relates to the others and how this synthesis can be applied in any ministry context. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 705: Contemporary Issues in Apologetics
Course Description: This is an examination and evaluation of current issues and trends in apologetics including the problem of evil, the challenge of atheism and secularism, and the juxtaposition of science and religion. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 706: History of Church Traditions
Course Description: A survey of the background, rise, traditions, and practices of various church religious groups, especially those most prevalent in North America. Some theological distinctives of these groups will also be discussed and evaluated. |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 801: *Biblical Preaching
Course Description: This course teaches Christian leaders to develop biblical messages (sermons or lectures). Sound hermeneutics will be applied to ensure sound exegesis toward the timely application of biblical truth into the lives of the hearers. A systematic multi-step approach to preaching will be taught that begins with evaluating the needs of the congregation as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Students will prepare and preach several sermons within this class and also within a practical ministry context. (See *Practical Ministry Component description at the bottom of this page). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 802: *Counseling Theory & Practice
Course Description: This course will introduce the student to basic concepts of counseling with a focus on a biblical approach. Students will learn key terms, processes, and concepts related to the practice of biblical counseling. Ethical and legal issues related to biblical counseling will also be understood and analyzed. (See *Practical Ministry Component description at the bottom of this page). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 803: *Premarital & Marriage Counseling
Course Description: This course examines the Biblical directive for marriage and the family. The place of the family in society is explored in detail along with its historical and cultural implications. Healthy and dysfunctional familial issues are discussed in detail. Practical structures for providing biblical counseling are also provided and students are given practical ministry experience through role-playing in class and also by doing actual pastoral counseling within a church or community context. (See *Practical Ministry Component description at the bottom of this page). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 804: *Church: Theory & Practice in Contemporary Contexts
Course Description: This is a study of organization, structure, and leadership of the local church for promoting kingdom growth. The student investigates the reasons for growth and development as well as explores the problems that prevent growth in a local church. The course will also address both the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century ministry within a church context: setting realistic expectations and goals, dealing with church boards, marriage, children, |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 805 *Church Development & Expansion
Course Description: This course trains Christian leaders how to plant New Testament churches “in culture.” The various schools of church planting will be analyzed along with an evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses. The course will also develop more fully an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of 21st-century ministry within a church context to include setting realistic expectations and goals, dealing with church boards, marriage, children, finances, burn-out, stress, time management, church buildings, and more. (See *Practical Ministry Component description at the bottom of this page). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 806: *Chaplaincy and Pastoral Ministries
Course Description: This course provides an overview of the various ministries provided by community chaplains, military chaplains, and pastors of the local church. Special attention will be given to the practical skills needed to minister in these three contexts. Collaborative learning experiences such as role-playing will be practiced so that students can learn how to care effectively for both their congregations and the community at large. (See *Practical Ministry Component description at the bottom of this page). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDIV 807: M.Div. Final Project (Capstone Course for M.Div.)
Course Description: This course includes the development of a project. This project will involve the issues learned in this program in analyzing an existing major ministry or church issue and recommending solutions or developing and testing a seminar. This class will extend automatically for one semester. The final project must relate significantly to the student’s chosen focus area. (M.Div. focus area must be chosen once students begin taking 700 or 800 level courses). |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Program Credit Hours | 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *Practical Ministry Component — All six of these courses will coincide with a supervised practical ministry experience in a context relevant to the course. The course instructor and student will collaborate to determine the relevant context and ministry supervisor. Each course syllabus will specify the number of practical ministry hours required and how this ministry experience will be weighted and evaluated as a part of the overall course grade. Each ministry supervisor will instruct, mentor, and evaluate each student regarding ethics and overall effectiveness within their ministry context. Each part of this *Practical Ministry Component will also be documented and kept on file as the CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) component of ministry training.
M.Div. Focus Areas — Each student must designate an M.Div. focus area once they begin taking 700 or 800 level courses. All major projects within each course and the final program project or thesis must significantly relate to the student’s designated focus area. M.Div. Focus Areas: Chaplaincy (Community), Chaplaincy (Military), Intercultural Studies, or Pastoral Ministry
Writing Proficiency — Students admitted into the M.A.C.L. or M.Div. program must demonstrate graduate-level proficiency in writing research papers (Chicago and APA Styles) or they will be required to take ENG 110 (College Writing) during their first semester as an 8-week online undergraduate course; if taken, this course will not count toward completion of any graduate degree. In addition, students taking ENG 110 would do so as a corequisite (not as a prerequisite). Students would pay the normal undergraduate tuition price for the course. Most important, students taking this course must earn at least a B+ in this writing course to continue in the graduate program beyond their first semester.
Course Transferability — Up to 6 semester hours may be transferred into the M.A.C.L. program; up to 36 semester hours may be transferred into the M.Div. program, but all students must complete at least 30 semester hours at GCD to earn a degree.
MDIV Course Prerequisites — M.A.C.L. graduates who wish to be admitted to the M.Div. Program must submit an M.Div. application and be formally admitted before taking any 700 or 800 level courses (courses unique to the M.Div. Program).
Program Start Date — (if approved) the M.Div. Program will begin in Fall 2017 or when 5-7 students are enrolled in the program.
Program Delivery Method:
Program Cost for Students — $280 per credit hour and additional fees as specified in the GCD Graduate Academic Catalog. All applicants accepted to GCD may utilize our Cash Payment Plan (4 equal payments each semester). |
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M.Div. Faculty
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