Church Leadership (MACL)
MACL 103 Introduction to Ministry Leadership 1 Unit
This course explores the biblical teaching on ministry and how the Lord calls specific persons to take up the mantle of ministry leadership in His church today. The professional, personal, and spiritual growth and formation of the future ministry leader is investigated, discussed, and fostered.
MACL 340 Conflict Resolution 3 Units
This course will focus on the approaches that a leader can use to resolve conflict through the study of constructive and destructive conflict, conflict resolution styles, family systems theory, and various approaches to conflict resolution with attention given to conflict in values- and faith-based organizations.
MACL 350 Legal Aspects of Managing a Nonprofit 3 Units
This course will examine the implications associated with the laws that govern nonprofits and their leadership. Students will become familiar with legal issues and the fiduciary responsibilities of nonprofit leaders and boards including how to file for tax-exempt status and how to report contributions.
MACL 360 Fundraising and Resource Development 3 Units
This course will examine ways to raise funds from government, foundation, corporate, and individual sources; how to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors; and explore budget preparation, proposal submission, and reviewer practices.
MACL 370 Financial Management of a Nonprofit 3 Units
This course will concentrate on applying accounting principles to financial reporting and monitoring functions with a focus on budget development, day-to-day fiscal management, financial controls, and the regulatory reporting requirements of non-governmental, nonprofit organizations.
MACL 390 Practicum: Ministry Leadership 1-3 Units
In this course students will spend time on-site with a supervising minister to acquire experience and skills related to ministry, including evaluation of the practicum experience. This course is repeatable and is offered as Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: MACL 103 and full acceptance into BS or BA in Theological Studies: Ministry Leadership.
MACL 401 Ministry Seminar and Internship I 3 Units
In this course students will spend time on-site with a serving minister to acquire experience and skills related to ministry, including evaluation of the practicum experience, presentation of current ministry trends, resources, and philosophies. Prerequisites: Student is in final year of and fully accepted into the Center for Church Leadership Program.
MACL 402 Ministry Seminar and Internship II 3 Units
MACL 404 Survey of Historical Theology 3 Units
An introduction to historical theology and a survey of the development of the theological formulations of the church. Special emphasis will be placed on “challenges to orthodoxy” laid upon the church at various times, and the role such events played in the church’s confessional responses. These will be examined to enhance understanding of the church’s theological and doctrinal tasks today.
MACL 410 Lutheran Confessions 3 Units
A study of the Augsburg Confession, The Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms, The Smalcald Articles, The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope and the Formula of Concord in terms of their historical setting and their theological content. Explores the relationship of the Confessions to Scripture, and the confessional application of their teaching in the 21st century context.
MACL 411 Creeds and Confessions 3 Units
A study of major confessions of the Christian Church. This course centers on the Ecumenical Creeds and the Book of Concord. Other confessional documents are considered in relationship to these confessional statements. The historical setting and theological content of these documents will be explored along with their contemporary use and application.
MACL 414 The Synoptic Gospels and Acts 3 Units
This course will offer a comprehensive overview of all isagogical information concerning the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. An individual Gospel will be selected and translated with a focus on the theological meaning, emphasis, and its modern application. Prerequisite: GRE 102 and permission of the college.
MACL 420 Romans/Pauline Literature 3 Units
This course will offer a comprehensive overview of the Pauline corpus (excluding the prison and pastoral epistles) with an in-depth study of correspondence with one of the congregations including an inspection of the literary, cultural, and structural issues with attention paid to the theological content, meaning, and suggested applications for contemporary issues. Prerequisite: GRE 102 and permission of the college.
MACL 421 Theology and Practice of Mission 3 Units
This course will root the work of "evangelism/outreach" in a thoroughly biblical view of mission and develop practical outreach methodologies to be used in a congregational and/or mission setting as students produce an "educational" plan that will allow the identification, training, and deploying of committed Christian leaders for the growth of Christ's church. Prerequisite: Permission of the college.
MACL 422 Spiritual Care 3 Units
This course explores various areas of spiritual care offered by ministry leaders as they serve church members in their individual and corporate needs. The application of God’s Word and the assurance of his grace is stressed as ministers serve in times of crisis, illness, grief and also in joyful life events. Application will be made in fieldwork or internship churches. Prerequisite: Permission of the college.
MACL 428 Seminar in Biblical Theology and Exegesis 3 Units
A seminar covering the Canon and Inspiration of Scripture, as well as major themes which run through the Old and New Testaments. Appropriate exegetical methods for interpreting various literary genres within the Bible will also be engaged.
MACL 429 Biblical Theology and Exegesis 3 Units
This course will study the Lutheran understanding of the nature of Scripture followed by an examination of its major themes with an emphasis on interpretive principles (e.g., Law and Gospel) for use in congregational ministry.
MACL 430 Communicating the Gospel I 3 Units
This course explores how ministry leaders connect the Word of God to those they serve. Students will learn and apply sound exegetical principles, including how the right distinction of Law and Gospel is essential to effective application of Scripture to people today. Students will analyze texts, prepare presentations that are appropriate to their area of service, and explore effective communication strategies. Application will be made in fieldwork or internship churches. Prerequisite: Permission of the college.
MACL 431 Communicating the Gospel II 3 Units
This course explores the purpose, function, and structure of Gospel communication in various contexts. Building on MACL 430, it will continue to explore sound exegetical principles in parables, miracles, and Old Testament texts. Students will analyze texts, prepare presentations that are appropriate to their area of service, and explore creative illustration of biblical themes. Application will be made in fieldwork or internship churches. Prerequisite: MACL 430.
MACL 432 Johannine Corpus 3 Units
This course will offer a comprehensive overview of the Johannine Corpus and an in-depth study of one of the books as the literary genre, exegetical, and interpretational issues are examined and how they enhance one's understanding of the book. Prerequisite: GRE 102 and permission of the college.
MACL 440 Entrepreneurial Mission Planting 3 Units
Explores business and entrepreneurial methods as they apply to church planters and new mission starts. Practical emphasis upon understanding entrepreneurial leadership, team ministry, learning from success, dealing with risk, reaching new people, developing marketing materials, financial planning and cash flow, and balancing a busy life will be presented by guest lecturers experienced in entrepreneurial church leadership. Prerequisite: Permission of the college.
MACL 442 Christian Worship in Cultural Context 3 Units
This course will examine and assess the historical and theological understanding of worship within the Lutheran context, observing the forms and practice of worship within present, ethnic/multi-cultural communities. Guided by proper theological, historical, and contextual models, students will promote sacramental worship in various, new ethnic/multi-cultural missional settings. Prerequisite: Permission of the college.
MACL 444 Pastoral Epistles 3 Units
The course offers a comprehensive overview of all isagogical information concerning Paul's Prison Epistles, the Pastoral Epistles, the General Epistles and Hebrews. Individual books will also be selected for in-depth translation and application. Particular attention will be paid to the pastoral and church related issues proclaimed in the epistles towards a practical competency of leading a congregation in the ethnic, multi-cultural context of modern pastoral mission work. Prerequisite: GRE 102 or equivalent, and permission of the college.
MACL 465 Christianity, Ethics, and Contemporary Culture 3 Units
An exploration of morality and ethics in the light of Scriptural teaching concerning both creation and redemption. Seminar participants will be oriented to the main approaches, both traditional and contemporary, of non-biblical philosophical ethics and will study how Christian faith interacts with these approaches. The significance for ethics of the Lutheran Confessional distinction between God’s left and right hand rule will be explored in depth. Seminar participants will pursue a research project in ethics.
MACL 473 Systematic Doctrinal Theology 3 Units
Instructor and students will pursue graduate-level study of systematic doctrinal theology in biblical perspective. The course surveys the loci, i.e. the topics, of doctrinal theology. In the process we will consider the nature and task of theological reflection; the responsibilities and qualities of a theologian; and such key topics in theological reflection as the Person and Work of Christ, Justification, Law and Gospel, the Trinity, Creation, the Word of God, the Last Things, Christian Vocation, and the life of the Christian Church. Special attention will be given to recognizing and characterizing the church-related context in which and for which theology is undertaken. Our exciting and demanding task is to focus in every class session on theology that will serve the Church, the Body of Christ.