Formational Leadership (Divinity)
Master of Divinity – Formational Leadership (MDiv-FL)
Credits
75
Avg. Completion Time
2-3½ yrs (full-time)
Delivery Method
Online
Why Earn an MDiv Formational Leadership through LBC?
LBC’s online Master of Divinity Formational Leadership (MDiv-FL) specialization program will provide you with the deep theological training, intentional character development, and ministry leadership skills necessary for sustainable ministry in a challenging world. By the time you graduate, you will have developed and applied skills in biblical study, leadership and discipleship under the supervision of a highly experienced and diverse team of reflective practitioners.
A learning journey that integrates biblical, theological and ministry studies with intentional character development helps students develop both the wisdom and character necessary to address the questions facing the Church today. LBC MDiv students are equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to faithfully lead and serve in diverse ministry contexts as they prepare to address today’s challenging issues while faithfully upholding the truth of God’s Word.
Key Highlights of the MDiv – Formational Leadership Program:
- Study under the guidance of spiritually formed faculty members, including internationally respected 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 integrates the disciplines of spiritual formation, leadership, and biblical study for ministry within a global, digital age.
- Experience the deep community of an online cohort experience under the supervision of experienced lead mentors.
- Earn your Master of Divinity from an accredited Bible college in Pennsylvania.
“Our gifts will take us only as far as our character will take us. At Capital, leadership is not defined by a title – it’s defined by our actions.”
– Dr. Wayne Cordeiro, DMin, Lead Mentor
Course Length
8 weeks, language courses 16 weeks
Specialization Credits
24 credits of formational leadership training under the direction of lead mentors
Residency Requirement
2-3 in-person residency experiences with their Formational Leadership cohort
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Advancement Standing
Receive up to 12 credits of advanced standing
Transfer Agreement
Transfer no more than 50% of a degree from an outside institution
Program Plan
MDiv: Formational Leadership Specialization (75 Credits)
Biblical and Theological Foundations* 15 Credits
Ministry Leadership Foundations 12 Credits
Biblical Skills Development 15 Credits
Formational Leadership 24 Credits
Electives 9 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
What is Advanced Standing?*
Students demonstrating sufficient (at least 30 credits of undergraduate biblical, theological or ministry courses) may be awarded up to 12 credits of advanced standing in the MDiv degree program. These advanced standing credits will be applied to 9 credits of elective and 3 credits of biblical and theological foundations. Additionally, students with earned undergraduate credit in the biblical languages may earn up to 6 credits of advanced standing in biblical skills courses. Language credits may be applied to either Greek I and II or Hebrew I and II, but not both.
Program Distinctive - What makes LBC's program unique?
The MDiv in Formational Leadership combines the innovative design of our Formational Leadership program with the robust Biblical and theological training of a MDiv Degree. The Formational Leadership specialization is designed to prepares the leader’s interior soul while simultaneously participating in God’s global mission. To accomplish this undivided formation in leaders, the specialization is offered through closed cohort that allows students and faculty to develop deep relationships throughout the program. The specialization provides a unique blend of online education and residency experiences throughout a 20-month, 10-class cohort model. Online divinity degree 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-months of specialization course work allow students to grow together as they learn through unique, life-changing experiences. Students complete their MDiv-FL by taking additional courses in Biblical languages, theological training, and ministry skills development.
Career Paths
The MDiv – Formational Leadership program will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here’s just a sampling of careers where our MDiv-FL alumni engage:
- Pastor
- Chaplain
- Ministry Leader
- Church Planter
Program Goals – In this program, students will…
- 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.
Course Plan
The following is the proposed schedule for this degree program.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| BTC 523 Biblical Narrative & Old Testament | 3 |
| BTC 533 Biblical Narrative & New Testament | 3 |
| THE 501 Theology I | 3 |
| THE 502 Theology II | 3 |
| THE 509 Christian Ethics | 3 |
| MIN 511 The Church in God’s Mission | 3 |
| MFL 501 Self-Care for the 21st Century Leader | 3 |
| MIN 513 Historical Perspectives on Church & Culture | 3 |
| MIN 514 Contemporary Issues in Church & Culture | 3 |
| BIB 512 Greek I | 3 |
| BIB 513 Greek II or BIB 514 Greek Tools for Bible Study | 3 |
| BIB 517 Hebrew I | 3 |
| BIB 518 Hebrew II or BIB 519 Hebrew Tools for Bible Study | 3 |
| BIB 537 Biblical Exegesis and Exposition | 3 |
| MFL 503 Emotional Intelligence & Digital Age Communication | 3 |
| MFL 504 Restoration & Reconciliation | 3 |
| MFL 505 Leadership as Influence | 3 |
| MFL 509 Communication as Story | 3 |
| MFL 506 Global Community Formation | 3 |
| MFL 507 Theology of Organization | 3 |
| MFL 508 Shaping Resilient Teams | 3 |
| MFL 510 Seasons of the Soul in Leadership | 3 |
| BTC 563 Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BIB/MIN 596 or Elective | 3 |
| MIN 597 or Elective | 3 |
