Christian Care (Divinity)

Intentional Formation

We recognize that ministry leaders are motivated by who they are as well as who they are becoming. Therefore, LBC is committed to integrating healthy spiritual formation to develop spiritual, emotional and physical health in the personal and professional lives of ministry leaders.

Because of this, the curriculum will:

• Include several foundational courses focusing on the interior life of the ministry leader.
• Include aspects of personal spiritual formation in every course.
• Continue to depend on faculty as both disciplers and academic guides.

Reflective Practice

Likewise, ministry leaders need to both think well and do well. To this end, LBC is dedicated to providing students with a solid biblical and theological foundation along with the tools to explore and apply Scripture as lifelong learners. At the same time, LBC commits to preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for ministry as leaders, caregivers, teachers and disciple-makers.

Because of this, the curriculum will:

• Build upon a core of both biblical and ministry foundations along with the related skills for each.
• Seek to purposefully integrate learning and practice in both sets of courses.
• Seek to build the critical thinking and theological reflection skills needed to engage cultural issues with grace and truth.

Cultural Awareness

Program leaders know that ministry contexts are diverse and rapidly changing, so developing students who are aware of their context and who can exegete culture and Scripture is crucial.

Because of this, the curriculum will:

• Include several courses that encourage students to think theologically as they approach contextual challenges and intentionally integrate faith and practice.
• Seek to intentionally bridge the gap between theory and practice in every course.
• Continue to encourage students to pursue a field experience. (Note that this will be required if we seek ATS accreditation.)

Customizable Options

LBC recognizes that our students are highly diverse by gender, ethnicity, academic ability and ministry context. Therefore, we commit to providing a sound foundation of biblical and ministry studies while ensuring significant flexibility for students to craft a personalized learning path to accomplish unique needs and goals.

Because of this, the curriculum will:

• Provide a robust set of foundational courses addressing biblical, personal and ministry growth for every leader in the MDiv program.
• Allow students to choose between a tools-based approach or a classical approach to language study.
• Allow students to elect for intensive bible and theological coursework, intensive ministry praxis coursework, or a balance of both depending on their goals.
• Provide for advanced standing through the pool of electives rather than the foundational BTC courses.

Stackable Structure

We recognize that we operate within constraints and want to demonstrate responsible stewardship of resources for students and the institution. Therefore, we commit to continuing the ‘stackable nature’ of LBC’s degrees, allowing for maximum course efficiency and student path flexibility.

Because of this, the curriculum will:

• Maximize the use of a single course pool for LBC’s masters degrees (MAM, MACC, MAFL, MDiv and MABS).
• Allow for future development of certificates and potential stand-alone degrees from the existing concentrations.
• Continue to offer clear student pathways to the MDiv degree from each of the other LBC masters degrees.
• Maximize transfer credits for students entering the program with an existing MABS or MAM equivalent.

The Master of Divinity Christian Care program will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here’s just a sampling of careers where our MDiv-CC alumni engage:

• Pastor
• Chaplain
• Ministry Leader
• Christian Non-Profit Leader

MDiv outcomes:

• Apply methods of interpretation, research and biblical languages study to the discovery of biblical truths.
• Articulate and defend sound theology according to historic Christian orthodoxy.
• Construct theological and ethical solutions to challenging questions and problems facing the Church and society.
• Formulate the character and competencies necessary for ethical and authentic servant leadership in the manner of Jesus Christ.
• Plan redemptive spiritual communities built on Christ-like character, authentic servant-leadership and a robust theology and philosophy of ministry.
• Develop ministry skills in areas of evangelism, discipleship, care, administration and communicating biblical truth.

Within the Christian Care specialization, students will…

• Understand people from a biblical perspective while incorporating appropriate behavioral science insights regarding the human condition.
• Learn about common human problems from a biblical and research-based behavioral science perspective.
• Learn about and apply appropriate caregiving techniques and methods in authentic ministry situations to people in need.
• Learn how to train others in biblical Christian caregiving skills.
• Learn about the mental health profession and additional caregiving options for necessary referrals when the needs of people exceed what a typical church or Christian ministry can provide.

• Students can receive Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training that can lead to certification with the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains (the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training), the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education or with Clinical Pastoral Education International.
• Students can work toward acquiring certification with the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC, an affiliate of the American Association of Christian Counselors).

View the Christian Care Licensure Disclosures