The Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership and Culture is an innovative and holistic educational experience designed primarily for pastors currently engaged in ministry. This three-year program, conducted primarily in an online classroom, includes instruction from strategic, global ministry leaders and is grounded in engagement with our changing culture. Join guest faculty Danielle Strickland and Alan Hirsch in exploring what it means to serve in leadership in the context of today's world. The program requires students to serve in their local church for 10 hours per week, attend a weekly 90-minute synchronous discussion via video conference, attend four one-week retreats in North America, and create their own cross-cultural experience before graduation. Each student will be assigned a coach or spiritual director to help him or her develop into a highly equipped ministry leader.
Highlights
- Purposeful community of learners and leaders
- Experienced faculty who take great interest in student academic success
- Ministry coaches assigned to each student
- Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
- Cross cultural experience
- Four 1-week residencies with cohort
- Live session with cohort weekly
- Fully online
- Featuring guest faculty Danielle Strickland and Alan Hirsch
Career opportunities
With a Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership and Culture, you will be able to integrate theory and practice. As the Christian church looks to creatively navigate current culture, this degree will help graduates prepare to lead the church into the future with a distinct ability to understand sub-cultures, theology and leadership practice. Graduates will also learn to cultivate the important practice of caring for their own souls throughout the course of their future ministry.
Program director

Brian Ross, D.Min.
Faculty

Valerie Rempel, Ph.D.

Tim Geddert, Ph.D.

Mark Baker, Ph.D.

Lynn Jost, Ph.D.

David Bruce Rose, Ph.D.
Admission requirements
- Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and service
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Admission form and fee ($90)
- Personal profile statement
- Three letters of references
- Writing sample
Download the Admissions Checklist to get started.
Course listing
Biblical And Theological Reflection
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIB 734 | Understanding, Interpreting and Listening to Scripture Includes study of a biblical book | 3 |
BIB 744 | Exploring God’s Self-Revelation | 3 |
BIB 721 | The Kingdom, the Church, and the Mission of God | 3 |
THEO 718 | Following Jesus, Living Out the Implications | 3 |
HIST 724 | The Story of Radical Renewal Movements Through Church History | 3 |
BLIT 700 | Journeying Deep Into Scripture | 3 |
Personal and Holistic Formation
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIB 724 | Engaging the Bible With New Eyes | 1.5 |
MIN 706 | Discerning Personal Vocation and Calling | 1.5 |
MIN 710 | Spiritual Formation | 1.5 |
MIN 721 | Building a Deep and Sustainable Life | 3 |
Radical and Practical Application
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
THEO 725 | Investigating Western Culture and Local Contexts | 3 |
MIN 718 | Effective Contemporary Public Communication | 3 |
MIN 736 | Entrepreneurial Leadership of Non-Profit Organizations | 1.5 |
MIN 738 | Collaborative Leadership | 1.5 |
MIN 755 | Transformative Outreach for Disciple-Making | 1.5 |
MIN 757 | Forming a Community of Mercy, Justice and Peace | 3 |
MIN 759 | Conflict and Peacemaking within Organizations and Communities | 1.5 |
COUN 768 | Serving Resiliently Through Crises and Trauma Must be taken for 3 units | 2 - 3 |
Self-Directed Learning
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
MIN 749 | Cross-Cultural Experience | 2.5 |
MIN 790 | Creative Capstone Project | 2 |
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the HigherEducation Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. Fresno Pacific University works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, Fresno Pacific University has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but six states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.