The Master of Arts in Religion (34 graduate semester hours) at Community of Christ Seminary is designed for bi-vocational ministers who want to deepen their understanding of faith and ministry and transform community, as well as for professional ministers preparing to lead others in discipleship and mission. It builds a strong foundation of formation in Christian scripture, tradition and mission and offers three concentrations for focused development: Christian Theology, Spiritual Leadership, Peace and Justice. This degree provides a strong academic foundation in biblical studies, Christian history, and theology, leadership, peace, and justice. These subjects offer essential preparation for Christian ministry and/or doctoral study in religion.
The Master of Arts in Religion provides a unique blend of religious theory and practical studies that can meet the needs of students with a variety of learning objectives. The classes in the program will be offered either totally online or online with a face-to-face session at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri during the fourth week. The faculty is composed of scholars and professionals in the field of religion with the academic and applied backgrounds to make the study of religion stimulating and worthwhile.
Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary has a rolling admissions process; students may apply at any time during the year. International student must submit TOEFL scores and the WES or CGFNS audit as part of their application packet, which is typically due by May 30 of the year in which the potential student will begin the MAR program. New MAR cohorts begin in the fall term each year.
Students may request the transfer of a maximum of 9 semester hours of credit for the MAR, provided that the courses transferred approximate courses offered by Community of Christ Seminary, were taken at a regionally accredited institution or its non-US equivalent, and that the student earned at least a “B” in those courses. The request must be accompanied by an official transcript from the institution where the credit was earned.
Core Curriculum 22 s.h.
Complete all of one specific concentration: 12 s.h.
Christian Theology
*Students from other denominations may substitute approved denomination-specific course work.
This course is an initial exploration of the discipline and methods of theology. The foundational topics of Christian theology are covered including the nature and necessity of the theological task and contemporary understandings of the doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, humanity, the church, and Christian hope.
A review of the sacred literature of ancient Israel, centered on its covenantal themes and Ancient Near Eastern contexts. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on Paul, the General Epistles, and the Apocalypse of John, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism. Prerequisite: RELG5040.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the biblical period to the period immediately preceding the Reformation. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
This course traces the historical development of Community of Christ, from its origins in the setting of revivalism and democratization on the American frontier of the 1820s to the challenges the church faces as it negotiates the 21st century’s global, postmodern context. The course will also explore how the unique sacred texts of this movement have reflected the tradition’s ongoing engagement with culture. Special attention will be given to helping students learn how to apply critical historical methodology to the study of a religious tradition. Prerequisite: RELG5011
This course will explore the main themes, key issues, and seminal thinkers in Community of Christ theology, from its emergence on the American frontier (1820-1844) through its recontextualization into Reorganization theology (1851-1960) to the radical transformation of beliefs and denominational identity since 1960. The methods of both critical historiography and systematic theological analysis will guide our quest to understand this tradition. Central to our explorations will be how the church has responded to the intellectual, social, and cultural challenges of each age. We will devote special attention to the ways the church’s engagement with its own sacred texts has contributed to the denomination’s metamorphosis, especially as it has embraced its unique place within the wider Christian tradition and its vocation as a peace and justice church. Prerequisite: RELG5011
A focus on ministerial formation through exploration of the connection between vocation, ministerial “calling”, and social context. Students will engage in critical examination of ministerial myths, narratives, and stories that shape leadership response in a variety of pastoral experiences. Attention will be given to resources and tools for critical reflection on self and vocation. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A study of the historical and theological roots and implications of spiritual formation. Students will engage in critical study and practice of spiritual practices and formation models. Students will reflect on study and practices from biblical, historical, and psychological perspectives through individual experience in class as in the context of ministerial and spiritual leadership. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An introduction to and exploration of peace in Christian theology. Biblical, historical, and theological perspectives of peace are central to theological narratives. Focus is given to providing students resources for building their own foundational theologies of peace for application in peace and justice ministries: RELG5011
Peace is central to theological and ethical thinking. Students will explore approaches to peace, grounded in social and moral philosophy. Emphasis on evaluating ethical implications of peace, justice, and peacebuilding for individual, communal, and vocational contexts. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Explores Christological intersections between classical interpretations of Jesus of Nazareth’s identity and various modern and post-modern liberative approaches. As well as considering the contributions of the Social Gospel Movement, the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jürgen Moltmann, special attention will be given to Latin American, Feminist, Womanist, African American, and Eco-liberationist Christologies. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relevance of Jesus’ life and message to situations of violence, racism, and various forms of gender, environmental and economic oppression. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the Reformation into the 21st century. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An examination of the nature and implications of current issues and practices found in major world cultures with emphasis on their impact on Christian ministry, particularly ecumenical and intercultural ministry. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Exploring leadership that leads to sustainable and transformative change in community and organizations. Critical study of missional leadership through theological, sociological, biblical, and ministerial analysis. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Examining essential skills in developing leaders as spiritual/sociological researchers in the context of their ministerial community for the purpose of cultivating missional transformation. Topics of social analysis will include social location, theological perspective, culture and cultural diversity, community systems, and religious pluralism. Attention will also be given to adaptive change as it relates to rapidly changing culture and context of ministry experience. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An exploration of religious and philosophical foundations of imperatives for social and ecological justice. Examines mutual implications between interpersonal and environmental ethics as well as the scope of theories of justice as applied to human/nonhuman communities. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Examining methods, concepts, and skills of conflict resolution and restorative justice paired with theological and historical perspectives. Intended to equip students with the skills to engage constructively and meaningfully with conflict and justice in personal, congregational, institutional, and community settings. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A summative project that encourages students to reflect on their experience and the directions it may take them as a disciple or minister. The Seminary Graduate Portfolio consists of a beginning paper, gathering of graduate work,and self-assessment. The student will review her/his portfolio with a committee as a “finale” of her/his graduate work. (Evaluated on a pass/fail basis.)
An in-depth study of topics selected from various areas of practical ministry such as church leadership, Christian ethics, mission, pastoral care, public ministry, spiritual formation, and disciple education. Students should have taken all of their other coursework prior to this course as this is a capstone course. The course is designed to guide students to integrate their learning into practical ministry application. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
This course is an initial exploration of the discipline and methods of theology. The foundational topics of Christian theology are covered including the nature and necessity of the theological task and contemporary understandings of the doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, humanity, the church, and Christian hope.
A review of the sacred literature of ancient Israel, centered on its covenantal themes and Ancient Near Eastern contexts. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on the gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A review of the New Testament literature focusing on Paul, the General Epistles, and the Apocalypse of John, centered around its christological themes as they relate to other primary doctrines. Attention will be given to techniques of exegesis based on various methods of biblical criticism. Prerequisite: RELG5040.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the biblical period to the period immediately preceding the Reformation. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
This course traces the historical development of Community of Christ, from its origins in the setting of revivalism and democratization on the American frontier of the 1820s to the challenges the church faces as it negotiates the 21st century’s global, postmodern context. The course will also explore how the unique sacred texts of this movement have reflected the tradition’s ongoing engagement with culture. Special attention will be given to helping students learn how to apply critical historical methodology to the study of a religious tradition. Prerequisite: RELG5011
This course will explore the main themes, key issues, and seminal thinkers in Community of Christ theology, from its emergence on the American frontier (1820-1844) through its recontextualization into Reorganization theology (1851-1960) to the radical transformation of beliefs and denominational identity since 1960. The methods of both critical historiography and systematic theological analysis will guide our quest to understand this tradition. Central to our explorations will be how the church has responded to the intellectual, social, and cultural challenges of each age. We will devote special attention to the ways the church’s engagement with its own sacred texts has contributed to the denomination’s metamorphosis, especially as it has embraced its unique place within the wider Christian tradition and its vocation as a peace and justice church. Prerequisite: RELG5011
A focus on ministerial formation through exploration of the connection between vocation, ministerial “calling”, and social context. Students will engage in critical examination of ministerial myths, narratives, and stories that shape leadership response in a variety of pastoral experiences. Attention will be given to resources and tools for critical reflection on self and vocation. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A study of the historical and theological roots and implications of spiritual formation. Students will engage in critical study and practice of spiritual practices and formation models. Students will reflect on study and practices from biblical, historical, and psychological perspectives through individual experience in class as in the context of ministerial and spiritual leadership. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An introduction to and exploration of peace in Christian theology. Biblical, historical, and theological perspectives of peace are central to theological narratives. Focus is given to providing students resources for building their own foundational theologies of peace for application in peace and justice ministries: RELG5011
Peace is central to theological and ethical thinking. Students will explore approaches to peace, grounded in social and moral philosophy. Emphasis on evaluating ethical implications of peace, justice, and peacebuilding for individual, communal, and vocational contexts. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Explores Christological intersections between classical interpretations of Jesus of Nazareth’s identity and various modern and post-modern liberative approaches. As well as considering the contributions of the Social Gospel Movement, the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jürgen Moltmann, special attention will be given to Latin American, Feminist, Womanist, African American, and Eco-liberationist Christologies. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relevance of Jesus’ life and message to situations of violence, racism, and various forms of gender, environmental and economic oppression. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
This course traces the theological and doctrinal development of the Christian church from the Reformation into the 21st century. Attention will be given to the historical context in which this development occurred. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An examination of the nature and implications of current issues and practices found in major world cultures with emphasis on their impact on Christian ministry, particularly ecumenical and intercultural ministry. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Exploring leadership that leads to sustainable and transformative change in community and organizations. Critical study of missional leadership through theological, sociological, biblical, and ministerial analysis. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Examining essential skills in developing leaders as spiritual/sociological researchers in the context of their ministerial community for the purpose of cultivating missional transformation. Topics of social analysis will include social location, theological perspective, culture and cultural diversity, community systems, and religious pluralism. Attention will also be given to adaptive change as it relates to rapidly changing culture and context of ministry experience. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
An exploration of religious and philosophical foundations of imperatives for social and ecological justice. Examines mutual implications between interpersonal and environmental ethics as well as the scope of theories of justice as applied to human/nonhuman communities. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
Examining methods, concepts, and skills of conflict resolution and restorative justice paired with theological and historical perspectives. Intended to equip students with the skills to engage constructively and meaningfully with conflict and justice in personal, congregational, institutional, and community settings. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
A summative project that encourages students to reflect on their experience and the directions it may take them as a disciple or minister. The Seminary Graduate Portfolio consists of a beginning paper, gathering of graduate work,and self-assessment. The student will review her/his portfolio with a committee as a “finale” of her/his graduate work. (Evaluated on a pass/fail basis.)
An in-depth study of topics selected from various areas of practical ministry such as church leadership, Christian ethics, mission, pastoral care, public ministry, spiritual formation, and disciple education. Students should have taken all of their other coursework prior to this course as this is a capstone course. The course is designed to guide students to integrate their learning into practical ministry application. Prerequisite: RELG5011.
