Two primary emphases are at the core of the Master of Christian Studies program. First, the courses offered are foundational, both in terms of the student’s ability to think biblically and theologically, as well as in terms of specific ministry skills. The courses in Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Ethics, and Church History lay a foundation that grounds students both biblically and theologically. The courses on Bible Study, Communicating Biblical Truth, Evangelism and Missions, Leadership, and Counseling, are designed to help the student grow in these vital ministry skills. These two areas, thinking rightly and ministering effectively, must be seen as working in a synergetic relationship. The goal is to think biblically and theologically to make ministry more effective. Well developed ministry skills then become the natural means of living out biblical and theological truths.

A second primary emphasis of the Master of Christian Studies program is integration. Too often theological education is fragmented into isolated classes that are unconnected and coursework that is not directly linked to ministry in the church. The M.C.S. program integrates courses, with pairs of courses being strategically integrated to demonstrate how the subject matters interrelate. For instance, Preaching and Old Testament II might be taught during the same term. In that semester students might be asked to reflect on the Old Testament foundations of preaching, as well as how they should preach from the Old Testament. In addition, classroom assignments encourage students to apply classroom learning to the ministry of the local church. This happens not only in the ministry skill courses, but also in biblical and theological foundation classes. For example, assignments in Theology I might require students to design and teach a substantive, ten-week seminar on the doctrine of God. Other classes might call for students to write a case study on how the doctrine of humanity relates to a particularly difficult counseling situation in the church.

The M.C.S. program seeks to advance God’s kingdom in the churches of the Mid-South by laying a solid foundation for ministry and by teaching students to integrate their studies with their real world ministry.