Like many institutions, such as healthcare and insurance, the church also needs leaders with theological knowledge and experience. There are reputable institutions providing theological courses ideal for church leaders. However, it has become easier to get such education through the online courses offered by some of the renowned universities and colleges, such as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This gives people a chance to learn from the comfort of their homes without interfering with working hours. Below are some of the top online seminary courses one can enroll in.
Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership
The Graduate Certificate in Worship Leadership is a course designed to cover ten months. It entails the study of worship theology, service design, leadership, worship ministry administration, technology in worship, and vocal ensemble leadership, among others.
Advanced Master of Divinity
The Advanced Master of Divinity is designed to build on undergraduate theological training. The course covers the Old Testament, New Testament, Baptist Heritage, Systematic Theology, and Greek and Hebrew units. One needs a minimum GPA of 3 to be accepted for this course.
Master of Divinity Degrees
Several courses under the Master of Divinity Degrees are tailored to help students meet their diverse calling in ministry. Students can settle to study for a Master in Divinity- Women’s Studies Concentration, Women’s Ministry Concentration, Worship Leadership, Evangelism and Missions, and International Church Planting, among several others. These master’s programs require one to have an undergraduate degree in the theological field.
Master of Theological Studies
A Master of Theological Studies program is an online course that teaches basic theological concepts in History, Bible, and Theology. The course is designed to take at least thirty-six hours to complete. Some of the requirements to enroll in this program include Biblical Hermeneutics, Old Testament I and II, New Testament I and II, Church History I and II, Baptist Heritage, and Systematic Theology I, II, and III.
Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
A Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling is designed to take sixty-eight hours. It is taught online and equips learners with skills in ministering God’s word using Biblical counseling. To enroll in this program, one must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. In addition, one must maintain an average of a C to graduate.
Master of Arts in Christian Education
The program of Master of Arts in Christian Education is a sixty-seven-hour program. It is a course designed to teach Great Commission ministers about leadership, teaching, and discipleship. The program offers specialization in a field of choice by students. Those taking the online course should maintain an average of C in their performance to graduate. The requirements for enrolling in this course include twenty-nine hours of Biblical and Theological Studies, fifteen hours of Great Commission Studies, twelve hours of Education Ministry Studies, and eleven hours of Concentration Studies.
Master of Divinity with a concentration in International Church Planting
This program gives students a broad understanding of classical studies as well as a focus on international missions on church planting. It equips people with knowledge of starting, developing, and managing churches abroad. The degree is unique since it gives students an opportunity to complete the course as they serve in an international setting. To enroll in this course, a student requires to meet several requirements. First, one needs a bachelor’s degree in the theological field from an accredited college or university. They also need at least a year of study in Biblical Hebrew or Biblical Greek. An enrolled student will study Biblical Studies, Theological Studies, Evangelism and Mission Studies, Preaching and Pastoral Studies, International Church Planting Concentration, and Field Courses.
The educational method employed in this course involves focusing on theology with practical approaches. The course has a field-based learning session where students serve for two or three years on an international field assignment in another country. This is often supervised by a church planter or a veteran missionary.
Conclusion
Online theological courses have come in handy not only to enhance knowledge among church leaders but also to help them work and study at the same time. There are several theological courses that are offered online by accredited institutions. Some of these are mentioned above, together with their requirements and hour of study. This is an excellent way of advancing one’s theological education as one continues ministering in the church.
