Master’s program in Christian Leadership

Master’s program in Christian Leadership is designed to prepare students for leadership
roles within churches, Christian organizations, and other ministry settings. The program integrates
theological education, biblical studies, and practical leadership skills, focusing on how to effectively
lead and influence others from a Christian perspective. Here is an overview of what is typically
taught in a master’s program in Christian Leadership:

Biblical and Theological Foundations of Leadership

Biblical Leadership Models: Study of leadership principles found in the Bible, examining the
lives of key leaders such as Moses, David, Nehemiah, Jesus, Paul, and others. Emphasis is placed
on servant leadership and humility as central to Christian leadership.
Theology of Christian Leadership: Exploration of the theological foundations of leadership,
including how Christian doctrines (e.g., the Trinity, the Church, mission) inform and shape
leadership practices in ministry and beyond.
Spiritual Leadership: Study of how leadership is connected to spiritual growth and development,
focusing on leading from a place of deep personal faith and integrity.

Leadership in Ministry Contexts

Leadership in the Local Church: Training in leading church ministries, including roles such as
senior pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor, or worship leader. Emphasis is placed on
understanding church governance, vision casting, and strategic planning.
Discipleship and Mentoring: Study of how to develop and implement discipleship programs
within a church or Christian organization. This includes mentoring and equipping others for
leadership and ministry.
Church Growth and Development: Examination of principles for church growth, focusing
on how to foster both spiritual and numerical growth in a congregation. Topics include outreach,
community engagement, and leadership in multi-site or large churches.

Leadership Ethics and Integrity

Ethics in Christian Leadership: Exploration of ethical principles from a Christian perspective,
focusing on how to lead with integrity, accountability, and transparency in both personal and
professional life.
Character and Leadership: Study of the relationship between personal character and leadership
effectiveness, with an emphasis on cultivating virtues such as humility, honesty, and compassion
in leadership roles.

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Development

Strategic Planning for Ministry: Training in developing strategic plans for churches, ministries,
and Christian organizations, including how to set goals, develop action plans, and evaluate effectiveness.
Vision and Mission in Christian Leadership: Study of how-to craft and communicate an unobstructed
vision and mission for a church or organization, motivating and inspiring others to work toward shared goals.
Organizational Leadership and Management: Exploration of leadership principles applied to managing teams,
staff, and volunteers in ministry settings, including conflict resolution, team building, and decision-making processes.

Leadership in a Multicultural and Global Context

Cultural Competence in Leadership: Training in leading diverse groups, focusing on understanding cultural differences and promoting unity within multicultural congregations or organizations.
Global Christianity and Leadership: Study of leadership in the global church, with an emphasis on
understanding how Christianity is practiced in diverse cultures and contexts. This includes learning to
lead cross-culturally and engaging in global mission work.

Pastoral Care and Counseling for Leaders

Pastoral Care for Leaders: Study of how leaders provide spiritual and emotional care for their congregation
or organization, including the principles of pastoral counseling and support during times of crisis.
Self-Care for Leaders: Emphasis on the importance of self-care and spiritual health for Christian leaders,
helping them avoid burnout and maintain personal well-being while leading others.

Conflict Management and Resolution

Conflict Resolution in Ministry: Training in resolving conflicts within a church or ministry setting,
focusing on biblical principles of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peacemaking.
Leadership in Times of Crisis: Study of how to lead effectively in difficult or crisis situations,
including times of church conflict, financial difficulty, or external challenges to the ministry.

Preaching and Communication Skills

Preaching and Teaching for Leaders: Training in effective preaching and teaching methods,
focusing on how to communicate biblical truths clearly and effectively to a congregation or group.
Public Speaking and Communication: Development of public speaking skills, including how to
communicate vision, motivate teams, and cast vision for ministry initiatives.

Spiritual Formation for Leaders

Personal Spiritual Growth: Emphasis on the leader’s personal relationship with God, focusing
on spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, fasting, and scripture reading as essential for
maintaining effective leadership.
Leading through Spiritual Formation: Study of how to lead others in their spiritual growth and
discipleship, helping others cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

Leadership and Mission

Missional Leadership: Exploration of how leaders can effectively guide their churches or
organizations in participating in God’s mission in the world, focusing on evangelism, social justice,
and community engagement.
Church Planting and Leadership: Study of the principles and strategies involved in planting
new churches, focusing on leadership during the initial stages of church growth and development.

Nonprofit Leadership and Management

Nonprofit Leadership: Training in the specific challenges of leading Christian nonprofits,
including fundraising, donor relations, program development, and volunteer management.
Financial Stewardship: Study of financial management in churches and Christian organizations,
focusing on budgeting, fundraising, and financial transparency as aspects of responsible leadership.

Technology and Leadership in Ministry

Technology in Church Leadership: Training in the use of technology for ministry, including digital
communication, online church services, and social media engagement to enhance leadership effectiveness.
Leadership in the Digital Age: Study of how to lead in an increasingly digital world, focusing on
using online platforms for ministry, outreach, and maintaining community connections.

Research and Capstone Project

Research Methods in Leadership: Introduction to research methods for studying leadership
and organizational practices, including qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
Capstone Project or Thesis: The programs conclude with a capstone project or thesis,
where students apply their learning to real-world leadership challenges, conducting in-depth
research or implementing a leadership initiative in a ministry context.

Internship or Field Experience

Leadership Practicum: Most programs include a direct practicum or internship where students
can gain real-world leadership experience in a church, ministry, or Christian organization,
applying the principles they have learned in their studies.

Graduates of a master’s in Christian leadership are typically prepared for roles such as senior pastor,
associate pastor, ministry leader, nonprofit director, or leadership consultant within Christian
organizations. The program equips students with the skills needed to lead effectively while
maintaining a solid foundation in biblical principles and servant leadership.

Please contact Dr. Yoong S. Kim (901) 490-8973