Online Formational Leadership Master’s Degree
Master of Arts: Formational Leadership (MAFL)
Credits
30
Avg. Completion Time
20 months
Delivery Method
Online
Why Earn a Master’s in Formational Leadership through LBC?
If you’re passionate about learning to lead from a position of deep interior development, leading through the exterior practices of loving your neighbor and participating in the grand narrative of God’s global mission, this is the program for you. Taught by long-time pastors and Christian leaders, our curriculum focuses on the soul development of the leader, resulting in a deeply formed leader skilled to live and serve in the digital age. During our studies, three words—virtue, character, ethics—will be imprinted on your mind and heart.
What Makes our Formational Leadership Program Different?
At Lancaster Bible College, we believe in teaching leadership that prepares the leader’s interior soul while simultaneously participating in God’s global mission. To accomplish this undivided formation in leaders, the Master of Arts in Formational Leadership is designed as a closed cohort that allows students and faculty to develop deep relationships throughout the program. The program provides a unique blend of online education and residency experiences throughout a 20-month, 10-class cohort model.
Likewise, online courses enable students to stay fully engaged in their local ministries while studying with students and leaders from around the world. Three unique residency experiences scheduled during the 20-month program allow students to grow together as they learn through unique, life-changing experiences. These residencies include studying the art of personal soul care and heritage development at a ranch in Eugene, Ore., being exposed to the global village through studying and serving on an international trip, then ending your 20-month experience by studying sustainable rhythms for life and ministry in Eugene.
“Our gifts will take us only as far as our character will take us. At LBC, leadership is not defined by a title – it’s defined by our actions.” – Dr. Wayne Cordeiro, MAFL Lead Mentor
Course Length
8 weeks
Program Structure
Cohort-based program allows you to learn in a close-knit community.
Residency Requirement
Three in-person residency experiences with your cohort in Eugene, OR and an international trip to Israel.
Formational Leadership Program Cost & Financial Aid
Formational Leadership Program Plan
Master Arts in Formational Leadership (MAFL) (30 Credits)
Greater Focus on the Self-Care
& the Spiritual Journey
15 Credits
Ministering in a Global Digital Age 15 Credits
Global Experiences 0 Credit
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this master’s degree or LBC’s graduate education? 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 a master’s degree online.
Program Distinctive - What makes LBC's program unique?
- Study under the guidance of spiritually formed faculty members, including speaker and pastor Wayne Cordeiro, author of “Leading on Empty,” “The Divine Mentor,” “Sifted,” and “Doing Church as a Team.”
- Earn a degree that captures the art of spiritual formation and leadership within the digital age.
- Grow deeper through an online cohort experience while simultaneously traveling and learning with this cohort in Eugene, OR and on an international trip.
- Earn your master’s degree from an accredited Bible college in Pennsylvania.
Career Paths
The Master of Arts in Formational Leadership will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here is a sampling of careers in which our MAFL alumni serve:
- Church Planter
- Pastor (Senior, Associate, Discipleship, Community)
- Non-profit Leader
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- Biblical Philosophy of Ministry. The student will formulate a philosophy of ministry respective to their ministry community and culture, which is biblically-founded, practical, missional and culturally sensitive.
- Global and Contextual Application. The student will generate a global understanding and praxis of relationship through strategic community formation residencies.
- Spiritual Health and Ministry Integrity. The student will cultivate a moral, ethical and spiritual foundation necessary for personal spiritual growth and sustainable ministry.
- Team Mentoring and Professional Experience. The student will build effective personal and professional relationships based on mutual support and accountability for the purpose of intentional ministry team development.
- Biblical Communication Skills. The student will formulate theological skill sets leading to an integration of the person, ministry, and life of the leader for the purpose of communication.
- Ministry Leadership Skills. The student will develop leadership competencies for the purpose of influence in a digital culture.
Course Plan
The following is the proposed schedule for this degree program.
| Course Title | Semester | Term | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFR501 Eugene, Oregon Residency | One | One | 0 |
| MFL501 Self-Care for the 21st Century Leader | One | One | 3 |
| MFL 502 Integrative Theology | One | Two | 3 |
| MFL503 Emotional Intelligence & Digital Age Communication | Two | One | 3 |
| MFL504 Restoration & Reconciliation | Two | Two | 3 |
| MFL505 Leadership as Influence | Three | One | 3 |
| MFL507 Theology of Organization | Three | Two | 3 |
| CFR502 International Experience | Four | — | 0 |
| MFL506 Global Community Formation | Four | — | 3 |
| MFL508 Shaping Resilient Teams | Four | — | 3 |
| CFR503 Eugene, Oregon Experience | Five | — | 0 |
| MFL509 Communication as Story | Five | — | 3 |
| MFL510 Seasons of the Soul in Leadership | Five | — | 3 |
Also Available Formational Leadership as a MDiv
LBC’s online Master of Divinity-Formational Leadership specialization program (75 credits) will provide you with the deep theological training, intentional character development, and ministry leadership skills necessary for sustainable ministry in a challenging world. This degree provides the most in-depth training in formational leadership.