Divinity
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Credits
75
Avg. Completion Time
2-3½ yrs (full-time)
Delivery Method
Online OR Hybrid
Students looking to take hybrid courses at Washington, D.C. click here
Why Earn an MDiv through LBC | Capital?
LBC | Capital’s Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, offered both online and hybrid, will provide you with deep theological training and ministry leadership skills. 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 helps students develop both the wisdom and character necessary to address the questions facing the Church today. LBC | Capital 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.
What Makes our Program Different?
LBC | Capital’s MDiv program is designed to allow students to take one or two courses per eight-week session in either hybrid or online formats. Depending on the pace students take courses and whether they have been awarded advanced standing, the average program completion time is between two years and three and a half years.
The MDiv program is also highly customizable, allowing students to choose between 9 different concentrations of specialized study and skills development to achieve their unique vocational goals. Through electives, students may also pursue unique learning opportunities like field experience, travel learn trips and pre-doctoral research.
Other MDiv Versions Offering Specialization:
Course Length
8 weeks, language courses 16 weeks
Residency Requirement
2-day in-person residency for hybrid courses
No residency for online courses
Highly Customizable
Choose from 8 concentrations and 2 specializations to design a unique program that meets your educational goals.
Program Cost
Advancement Standing
Receive up to 12 credits of advanced standing
Transfer Agreement
Transfer up to 50% of a degree from an outside institution
Program Plan
Master of Divinity (75 Credits)
Biblical and Theological Foundations 15 Credits
Biblical Skills Development 15 Credits
Ministry Leadership Foundations 12 Credits
Ministry Skills Development 12 Credits
Concentration 12 Credits
Electives 9 Credits
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Difference between Hybrid & Online Courses
HYBRID courses include a required in-person two-day residency that provides a unique opportunity for students and professors to interact face-to-face within a learning community. These residencies also offer natural opportunities for ministry networking, informal peer interactions and creative learning activities.
ONLINE courses offer the flexibility of not requiring an in-person residency. Online students can interact with peers and professors through optional weekly synchronous online meetings. Online courses also allow students to pursue their degrees from anywhere in the world.
Program Distinctive - What makes LBC | Capital's program unique?
Intentional Formation
We recognize that ministry leaders are motivated by who they are as well as who they are becoming. Therefore, LBC | Capital 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 MDiv curriculum:
- Includes several foundational courses focusing on the interior life of the ministry leader.
- Includes aspects of personal spiritual formation in every course.
- Continues 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 | Capital 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 MDiv curriculum:
- Builds upon a core of both biblical and ministry foundations along with the related skills for each.
- Seeks to purposefully integrate learning and practice in both sets of courses.
- Seeks 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 MDiv curriculum:
- Includes several courses that encourage students to think theologically as they approach contextual challenges and intentionally integrate faith and practice.
- Seeks to intentionally bridge the gap between theory and practice in every course.
- Continues to encourage students to pursue a field experience.
Customizable Options
LBC | Capital recognizes that our students are highly diverse by gender, ethnicity, ministry context, and academic ability. 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 MDiv curriculum:
- Provides a robust set of foundational courses addressing biblical, personal and ministry growth for every leader in the MDiv program.
- Allows students to choose between a tools-based approach or a classical approach to language study.
- Allows students to elect for intensive bible and theological coursework, intensive ministry praxis coursework, or a balance of both depending on their goals.
Career Paths
The Master of Divinity program will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Here’s just a sampling of careers where our MDiv alumni engage:
- Pastoral Roles (Children, Youth, Senior, Executive, Associate)
- Chaplain
- Ministry Leader
- Christian Non-Profit Leader
- Teacher/Professor
- 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.
Customize Your MDiv Studies with a Concentration
By combining the general MDiv plan with one of these concentrations, you can customize your course of study to better meet your educational goals. With the strategic use of available electives, these concentrations provide students with unique opportunities to gain knowledge and develop skills within specific domains and disciplines.
All concentrations are currently available in the hybrid modality.
Bible Exposition
This concentration is designed to prepare the Christian minister to both interpret the Word accurately and communicate the Word relevantly. While heavier weight is given to the interpretive journey in the concentration, ample time is dedicated for the communicative journey.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Bible Exposition will take the following courses:
- BIB 535 Introduction to Biblical Preaching (Required)
- BIB 531 Selected Topics in NT Epistles: Pastoral Epistles (Elective)
- BIB 551 Applied Hermeneutics: Interpretation of Narrative (Elective)
- BIB 563 The Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament (Elective)
Christian Apologetics
The basis of Christian Apologetics is to know our beliefs intimately and be able to explain and sometimes defend those beliefs to others, which is especially important as our world becomes more secular.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Christian Apologetics will take the following courses:
- APO 540 Christian Apologetics (Required)
- APO 545 New Testament Issues in Apologetics (Required)
- APO 510 Philosophy for Apologetics (Elective)
- APO 515 Old Testament in Apologetics (Elective)
Christian Care
Christian ministry is a matter of the heart. It is interacting with people experiencing a variety of issues and concerns who need care and come to you for help. Often, the sincere and compassionate minister is not sufficiently trained to deal with the many personal, relational and spiritual problems of the adults youth and children they serve.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Christian Care will take the following courses:
- CHC 505 Foundations for Christian Care
- CHC 510 Christian Care of Individuals
- CHC 511 Christian Care of Individuals Lab (will fulfill an open elective slot)
- CHC 515 Christian Care of Families
- CHC 516 Christian Care of Families Lab (will fulfill an available elective slot)
- CHC 520 Christian Care and Group Process
- CHC 525 Training Christian Care Givers
Church Planting
For those who have a passion and heart to take God’s love through the Church to every corner, town and neighborhood, the Church Planting concentration provides the tools to expand the kingdom.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Church Planting will take the following courses:
- CPL 501 Theology, History & Models of Church Planting Movements
- CPL 502 Exegeting Culture for Church Planting
- CPL 504 Church Planting I
- CPL 505 Church Planting II
Children & Family Ministry
This concentration allows students to delve deeper into the much-needed area of Children & Family Ministry as they serve families and work to bring both current and future generations close to Christ.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Children & Family Ministry will take the following courses:
- CFM 501 Foundations of Children and Family Ministry
- CFM 502 Spiritual Formation of Children and Families
- CFM 503 Missional Families in a Global World
- CFM 504 Global Children’s Ministry
Formational Leadership
If you’re passionate about learning to lead from a position of deep interior development, leading to the exterior practices of loving your neighbor and participating in the grand narrative of God’s global mission, this is the concentration 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.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Formational Leadership will take the following courses:
- MFL501 Self-Care for the 21st Century Leader
- MFL508 Resilient Teams
- MFL503 Emotional Intelligence & Digital Age Communication
- MFL509 Communication as Story
Leadership Studies
As part of this concentration, students gain a comprehensive understanding of leadership theory, research and practice from an interdisciplinary perspective, as well as learn how to compare and contrast of leadership procedures within the biblical concept of leadership. Emphasis is placed on character and skills necessary for a servant-leader, group dynamics, supervision and development of other leaders.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Leadership Studies will take the following courses:
- LSP 501 Leadership Theory & Practice
- LSP 502 Development of Organizational Leadership
- LSP 503 Psychology of Leadership
- LSP 509 Leadership Style Analysis
Pastoral Studies
LBC | Capital’s Pastoral Studies concentration is grounded in the authority of Scripture and places a strong emphasis developing church leaders to become faithful pastors that lead fruitful churches. From a biblical foundation, students learn about the nature of ministry, discipleship and leadership within the context of the local church.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Pastoral Studies will take the following courses:
- Local Church Revitalization
- Theology, History & Practice of Worship
- Advanced Homiletics
- Designing Strategic Models of Adult Discipleship
Theology
This concentration enables students to get back to the basics and study the roots of the Christian faith, the nature of God and the systematic development of deeply held beliefs.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Theology will take the following courses:
- THE 517 Theological Method (Required)
- THE 518 History of Christian Doctrine (Required)
- Two electives from the following or additional options:
- THE 510 Old Testament Theology
- THE 511 New Testament Theology
- THE 520 Selected Topics in Systematic Theology
- THE 531 Theological Classics
Worship Arts
LBC | Capital’s Worship Arts concentration is designed for those seeking to enter leadership roles within ministry or develop their skills further. Focused on the head, heart and hands aspect of ministry, the program draws from the strong MDiv core of leadership and spiritual formation and adds deep study of the history, nature and theology of Christian worship. While also developing critical skills for leading and serving artists, this concentration facilitates a Word-focused understanding of creativity and performance for ministry leaders to equip others to lead worship that engages the senses, emotions and intellects of congregations.
Students will gain a robust perspective of the history of Christian worship practices by observing continuities, overlaps and contrasts across various time periods and traditions. The deep tie between the church’s worship and its cultural context will be explored with the study of expressions from across the globe. Beyond enhancing their own understanding of arts in the story of God’s church, ministry leaders will learn to integrate these perspectives into their regular shepherding and administrative tasks. They will interact with the best of current technology to streamline and advance their work in these areas. Students will also complete this concentration with a refreshed vision and a refined set of skills.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Worship Arts will take the following courses:
- Biblical, Historical, & Theological Survey of Worship Art
- Worship and its Cultural Context
- Worship Design & Practice
- Perspectives and Technology for Worship Arts Administration
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Through this robust and creative concentration, students learn both the theoretical principles and practical leadership skills necessary to teach, disciple and lead young people in a variety of ministry contexts, such as churches, parachurch organizations, camping ministries, college student ministries, community centers and more.
Students choosing to earn a concentration in Youth & Young Adult Ministry will take the following courses:
- YMN 501 Student Development, Culture & Contextualization
- YMN 502 Student & Family Systems Counseling
- YMN 503 Thinking Theologically in Student Ministry
- YMN 504 Spiritual Formation of Students
Meet the Faculty
Aaron Brown, MDiv
Associate Chair of Church & Ministry Leadership, Director of Formational Leadership programs, Assistant Professor
Esther Zimmerman, PhD
Church & Ministry Leadership Dept. Chair, Children & Family Ministry Program Director
Philip Béna, MA
Associate Professor, Master of Arts and Divinity Christian Care Program Director
Ryan Shenk, MA
Assistant Professor, Director of Worship Arts Studies, Director of Contemporary Bands
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