Online Ministry Leadership Degree

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Associates & Minor Available

Credits

120

Avg. Completion Time tooltip-icon

3 - 3 ½ years for a full-time student with no transfer credits.

Delivery Method

Online

Study Ministry Leadership at LBC

Do you desire to be or are you currently a leader in your church, parachurch ministry or nonprofit organization? Do you love to serve and be the hands and feet of Christ? Is vocational ministry where God is calling you? If you answered yes and desire a formal education that would strengthen your leadership, faith and impact, then our 100% online Ministry Leadership degree is for you.

Designed to allow you to continue to serve exactly where you are, this unique online ministry degree is formatted to combine online learning with practical oversight and hands-on training from the ministry leaders you are serving right now. Whether you are a volunteer youth leader, full-time ministry director, seeking employment in vocational ministry or anywhere in between, if you want to earn a degree in ministry, consider this program.

Our program is designed to equip emerging leaders for biblically based, spiritually formative ministry in the local church, community and around the world. With a focus on Scripture, sustainable leadership and ministry competencies, our well-rounded curriculum provides students with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for vocational leadership positions in church and parachurch ministries. By God’s grace, this program is your gateway to a world of ministry leadership opportunities. Whether you aspire to be a pastor, direct a faith-based non-profit ministry or lead a parachurch organization, our Ministry Leadership degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive.

Here is how it works: take online classes about all kinds of ministry-related topics – like Bible, leadership, counseling, evangelism and more – and we integrate those classes with your local church or ministry through an apprenticeship to give you a foundation of vocational service. You will be paired with a mentor at your ministry who will equip and empower you as a developing leader through hands-on learning applications, which will look different for every student in the program. We have created an online degree that keeps you active in your ministry, allows you to customize your education to your area of passion and helps you earn a degree that is relevant and applicable to your life.

This bachelor’s degree is part of LBC’s online undergraduate program, which is designed for busy people as they balance working full time, family responsibilities, serving in ministry and more. Each course is taught in an 8-week subterm. Refer to the catalog link below for the engaging courses in this bachelor’s degree program. Students can customize the sequence of their classes based on which courses are being offered and their prerequisites. This way, with the help of their LBC Student Success Coach, students can chart a class schedule that fits their stage in life. To be considered a “full-time student,” students must take four 3-credit courses in a semester (16-week term).

Join us in preparing for a fulfilling and impactful ministry journey. Discover how our Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership Degree can empower you to lead well, think biblically and serve Christ in the Church and society. Prayerfully consider applying today and take the next step toward your ministry calling!

Course Length

8 weeks

When Can I Start?

As soon as you are ready! LBC has 6 enrollment points per year, meaning that you are only ever a few weeks away from the next course starting.

Program Cost & Financial Aid tooltip-icon

Can I Transfer Credits?

Yes! If you have completed courses in other regionally accredited colleges or in the military, you may be able to transfer in credits. Read our transfer policy.

Get Credit for Life Experience

You may be able to start our degree path at LBC with some college credits! Life experience credit is college credit a student can earn based on prior learning. Read more.

Other Ministry Leadership Program Options

Associate of Science (AA) – 60 credits
Minor – 12 credits
See bottom of this page for more information

Would You Like More Information?

Reach out to request more information today, and one of our admissions counselors will connect with you soon to provide further details and answer your questions.

Ministry Leadership Program Scope

Bachelor of Arts (BA) (120 Credits)

Bible & Theology Courses 30 Credits

Arts & Sciences Courses 37 Credits

Ministry Leadership 36 Credits

Electives 17 Credits

View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and program details.

Schedule a Time to Chat

Want to learn more about this online undergraduate degree program? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning an undergraduate degree.

What makes the LBC Ministry Leadership program unique?
  • Fast & Flexible Schedule: The fast-paced schedule allows you to concentrate on one 8-week course at a time.
  • Life Experience Credit: Earn college credits from our evaluation of your life experiences.
  • Accredited Excellence: Earn your degree from an accredited Bible college (MSCHE, ABHE), ensuring that your education meets the highest standards.
  • Double Major: You will graduate with majors in Ministry Leadership and Biblical Studies. This invaluable learning experience of digging deeply into both God’s Word and ministry leadership skills will prepare you well for a ministry leadership position as well as provide advanced standing
    at many seminaries if you choose to pursue further education.
  • Expand Your Expertise: Explore the possibility of minoring in areas such as Business Administration, Communication or Sports Management to complement your Ministry Leadership and Biblical Studies majors.
  • Experiential Learning: We believe in engaging the whole person in the formative work of relational discipleship. Our program provides opportunities for hands-on learning and application throughout the coursework, to best equip and empower you as you develop leadership skills in
    real ministry contexts.
  • Field-Experience Focus: We leverage both the flexibility of online education and the vitality of face-to-face, hands-on experience in ministry. Our apprentice-model structure allows you to gain practical experience and discipleship through a robust mentoring relationship during your internship and practicum.
  • Stackable Degree Solutions: We believe in lifelong learning and our program offers stackable degree solutions, allowing you to seamlessly transition from your Bachelor’s degree into seminary graduate programs like the MA in Ministry, MA in Biblical Studies or Master of Divinity.
  • Contextual Ministry: Ministry demands and leadership challenges vary across time, place, and culture. We equip you with the skills to listen, understand, and respond to real needs to build ministries relevant and impactful in diverse contexts.
  • Healthy, Sustainable Leadership: We recognize the challenges faced by ministry leaders and focus on cultivating healthy, sustainable leadership practices. You will develop spiritually formative understanding and practices that enable you to steward your time, power, and influence effectively.
  • The LBC Distinctive: The Ministry Leadership Degree reflects the heart of LBC’s Mission “to live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and Society.” It exists to equip future ministry leaders with a firm foundation in biblical knowledge, a strong framework of leadership theory, and the practical skills necessary for effective ministry.
What are career paths with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership?

Graduates with a Ministry Leadership degree can pursue a wide range of career paths and ministry roles within various settings such as:

  • Diverse Pastoral Roles
    • Senior Pastor
    •  Associate Pastor
    • Youth Pastor
    •  Teaching Pastor
    • Executive Pastor
    • Campus Pastor
    • Missions Pastor
  • Ministry Director Positions
    • Disabilities Ministries
    • Campus Ministries
    • Prison Ministries
    • Family Ministries
    • Women’s Ministries
    • Recovery Ministries
    • Worship/Creative Arts Ministries
    • Youth/Young Adult Ministries
  • Executive of Parachurch Organization
  • Chaplaincy
  • Missions Agency Administrator
  • Faith-based Nonprofit Director
  • Community Development Director
  • Christian Education Coordinator
  • Christian School Administrator
Ministry Leadership Program Goals – In this program, students will experience…
  • Biblical Philosophy of Ministry – The student will formulate a philosophy of ministry that is Biblically grounded, spiritually formative, and rooted in the global mission of God.
  • Spiritual Health and Leadership Integrity – The student will integrate healthy spiritual formation and leadership practices to develop spiritual, emotional, and physical health in their personal and professional lives.
  • Leadership, Team, and Influence – The student will inculcate an understanding and praxis of servant leadership, team dynamics, and self-awareness.
  • Ministry Competency – The student will demonstrate effective communication and leadership skills which are biblically grounded, culturally sensitive, and useful for holistic influence in various ministry contexts.
  • Ministry Mentoring and Professional Experience – The student will develop effective personal and professional relationships based on mutual support and accountability for intentional ministry leadership development.
How Do I Determine Which Courses to Take?

Each student’s path to degree completion is unique, depending on the courses you transfer into the program. The curriculum plan gives a broad picture of the required credits. If your transfer credits come from mostly one of those areas, you will need to take credits in the other areas. The remaining courses you need for graduation can best be determined after reviewing your transcripts. With flexible electives, Biblical Studies requirements and Arts & Sciences requirements, most students are able to transfer to LBC the maximum number of credits.

Credits for Prior Learning. Students can earn up to 30 Life Experience Credits, through the Credits for Prior Learning evaluation process, which will often reduce the time to complete a degree. The Life Experience Credit evaluation process is done after a student begins a program.

Our Admissions Counselor are here to help guide you in planning your course of study.

Other Ministry Leadership Programs Options

Associate Degree Program Scope
Credits
Bible & Theology Courses 18
Arts & Sciences Courses 18
Ministry Leadership 18
Electives 6
Total 60

View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and program details.

Minoring in Ministry Leadership

Required Courses for a Minor in Ministry Leadership Studies (12 credits)

  • CML 102 Foundations of Ministry (3)
  • CML 210 Fundamentals of Leadership (3)
  • MIN 201 Strategic Ministry Leadership (3)
  • CML 324 Spiritual Formation of Ministry Leaders (3)

View the Academic Catalog for details.

FAQs for Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership (BAML)

If I decide I want to specialize in a specific ministry degree program such as Children & Family Ministry or Youth & Young Adult Ministry, where can I go to find more information?

Lancaster Bible College’s School of Bible & Ministry has many options, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. Check out our School of Bible & Ministry page for more details.

Can I access course materials and lectures for Ministry Leadership at any time or are there set schedules for online classes?

Yes, you can access course materials and lectures at any time during the time your course is open. Additionally, there is a weekly Zoom meeting that you may either choose to attend live or watch later at a more convenient time for you.

What technology requirements are needed for online courses?

For online programs, it is essential that you have or have access to a good-working computer as well as a stable internet connection.

Is there a dedicated advisor for online ministry students?

All students enrolled in the Ministry Leadership degree program will collaborate and work with both a Student Success coach for scheduling and a program coordinator for general advising.

Who are some ministry mentors that LBC students have been able to get paired with?

LBC students have the opportunity to be paired with diverse ministry mentors who may include local church leaders, individuals from non-profit organizations, or Christian parachurch leaders. These mentors are passionate about life-on-life mentoring and practically developing leaders for ministry.

What types of assessment methods are used in the program?

Our courses utilize various assessment methods, including assignments, exams, group projects, and discussions, to evaluate your understanding and application of the material.

After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership, what graduate degrees do LBC have to offer?

A: We offer the following online graduate degrees in Leadership:

  • Master of Divinity
  • Master of Arts in Christian Care
  • Master of Arts in Formational Leadership
  • Master of Arts in Ministry
  • PhD in Leadership

Looking for Ways to Finance Your Bachelor’s Degree?

LBC’s Financial Aid Office can help you navigate the process.