Obtaining a
Ministerial Associate Degree can be completed in two years, but it is usually
only a step toward higher education in the field of religious
studies.
Have you ever
considered a day in the life of a minister? Perhaps you have had need of one’s
assistance, and only then realized that a minister is master of multi-tasking,
or at least, needs to be.
These are the
well-known parts of the job description:
performing marriages, funerals, baptisms, and dedications, visiting
members of the congregation in times of need, making hospital calls, and
scheduling counseling appointments. Administrative tasks include budgeting,
decision-making, overseeing department heads, and managing
correspondence.
Now, add into the
schedule time for outside ministry events such as visiting the homeless shelter,
responding affirmatively to other church invitations to come and minister at
their location, and even attending conferences and continuing education
classes.
The term minister
is predominantly of Protestant origin, and is defined as a man or woman ordained
to provide service for a particular religious
organization.
Some churches
require nothing more than the “call of God” in a minister’s life in order to be
ordained. There are sites on the Internet which offer licenses that legally
allow the holder to perform the functions of a minister, simply by paying a set
price. These websites are considered little better than a diploma mill-- they
are quick to accept payment for the piece of paper they send you, but they offer
no instruction or support of any quality.
Most religious
entities require extensive training from either a seminary or theological
university. These educational facilities operate expressly for the purpose of
religious studies.
Most seminaries
require a four-year degree from an accredited college as part of their
application approval process, and also have a minimum grade point average for
previous college coursework. A Ministerial Associate Degree may have other
names, depending upon the school. These include an Associate Degree in
Theological Studies, an Associate Degree in Ministerial Studies, or a
combination of both.
Courses required
for this degree are generally:
Bible (Old Testament and New), Literature (Old Testament and New),
Christian Doctrine, Biblical Ethics, Church Administration, Computers in the
Church, Worship Leadership, Family Ministry, Lay Leadership, Introduction to
Church History, Introduction to Christian Missions, Introduction to Ministry and
the Church, Pastoral Counseling, Introduction to Preaching, and Entry-level Greek and Hebrew
languages.
Often additional
courses, such as philosophy, are called for. Many seminaries and theological
universities now include Practicum in Ministry, which sets the student in
various area of ministry to allow them hands-on learning in a chosen field.
Preaching Practicum also provides the student the opportunity to prepare, write,
and deliver a sermon, wherein both the instructor and classmates critique a
student’s performance.
A graduate who
obtains a Ministerial Associate Degree seldom finds employment within the
mainstream, structured religious affiliations. If a church needs a minister
immediately, and finds the graduate a good match for the current leadership and
congregation, then it may allow the applicant to continue the studies required
for a degree, while beginning the pastorate.
However, most of
those who obtain the Ministerial Associate Degree are either employed within a
church or religious denomination as support persons. If they desire to pastor
their own congregation someday, they will continue their pursuit through further
education, and earn a higher degree, or concentrate their studies in a specific
area of ministry.