Academic Requirements for the Combined Degrees Program:

Master’s Level Biblical Competency (MLBC);
Master of Divinity Pre–Doctor of Ministry Core; and,
Doctor of Ministry with Major Focus in Ministry Leadership or Ministry Skills

Master’s Level Biblical Competency (MLBC)

Fast Track Two is designed for persons beginning the program who have not earned a master’s degree. To remove this deficiency, and to assure that the candidate has the biblical knowledge and competency to be successful at the M.Div. and Doctor of Ministry levels, the Master’s Level Biblical Competency (MLBC) Module, with a value of 32 graduate credits, must be completed before beginning the Master of Divinity Pre–Doctor of Ministry Core. The MLBC is a complete overview and analytical study of the Old and New Testaments.

Master of Divinity Pre-Doctor of Ministry Core
Four 700-Level Courses and the CP700 Capstone Project

Courses and Textbooks

AP701: Apologetics

Required Textbooks

The Apologetics of Jesus: A. Caring Approach to Dealing with Doubters… Patrick Zukeran and Norman L. Geisler

Who Made God?: and Answers to Over 100 Other Tough Questions of Faith… Ravi Zacharias and Norman L. Geisler

Alternative Textbooks

Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics… R. C. Sproul

Is Your Church Ready?: Motivating Leaders to Live an Apologetic Life… Ravi Zacharias and Geisler

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask: (With Answers)… Mark Mittelberg

TH701: Hermeneutics

Required Textbooks

An Introduction to Evangelical Hermeneutics… Mel Couch

The Apologetics Study Bible: Understand Why You Believe… Ted Cabal, Chuck Colson, Norm Geisler, and Hank Hanegraaff

Alternative Textbooks

Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation… Graeme Goldsworthy

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching… Graeme Goldsworthy

TH702: Biblical Theology

Required Textbooks

The Ways of Our God: An Approach to Biblical Theology… Charles H.H. Scobie

Biblical Theology: Issues, Methods, and Themes… James J. Mead

Alternative Textbooks

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine… Wayne A. Grudem

Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology… Gary T. Meadows; Stanley N. Gundry; Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.; and Daniel M. Doriani

Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology… John M. Frame

TH703: Theology of Missions

Required Textbooks

The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission… Christopher J. W. Wright

Christian Mission in the Modern World… John Stott

Alternative Textbooks

Encountering Theology of Missions: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues… Craig Ott

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More than Our Lips… John Dickson

CP700: Capstone Project

{no textbook required}

Doctor of Ministry with Ministry Leadership Major Focus

Successful ministry rises and falls on leadership. Effective ministry leaders can discern and articulate their God given vision, mobilize their congregation or staff to fulfill the vision, and become a catalyst for renewal.

The Ministry Leadership curriculum focuses on the basics of effective leadership and also addresses some of the vital topics which confront pastors today. The courses in the curriculum below prepare the degree candidates with the advanced skills to face many of these complex issues.

Courses and Textbooks

DMML 801: Introduction to Pastoral Ministry

Required Textbooks

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication… Andy Stanley and Lane Jones

Telling the Old, Old Story: The Art of Narrative Preaching… David L. Larsen

Alternative Textbooks

Practical Guide for Life and Ministry: Overcoming 7 Challenges Pastors Face… David Horner

Pastoral Ministry According to Paul: A Biblical Vision… James Thompson

Empowered Church Leadership: Ministry in the Spirit According to Paul… Brian J. Dodd

DMML 802: Using the Bible Effectively in Ministry

Required Textbooks

Holy Bible, Human Bible: Questions Pastors Must Ask (Using the Bible in Pastoral Ministry)… Gordon Oliver

The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction and Guide to Resources (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies)… John D. Witvliet

Alternative Textbooks

He Came Down from Heaven: The Pre-existence of Christ and the Christian Faith… Douglas McCready

Apologetic Preaching: Proclaiming Christ to a Postmodern World… Craig A. Loscalzo

The Dynamics of Pastoral Care (Ministry Dynamics for a New Century)… David Wiersbe

DMML 803: Mentoring for Ministry

Required Textbooks

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry… Barton and Ford

Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts (Theology, Biblical Studies)… I. Howard Marshall

Alternative Textbook

Religious Ethics and Pastoral Care… Don S. Browning

DMML 804: Management for Ministry

Choose the Two Required Textbooks from the Six Titles Listed Below.

Management Essentials for Christian Ministries… Michael Anthony and James Estep

Management: A Biblical Approach… Myron D. Rush

Church Operations Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Church Management… Stan Toler

The Management Methods of Jesus: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Business… Bob Briner

Mastering The Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Non-Profit… John Pearson

Management Principles for Christian Schools, 2nd ed.… James W. Deuink and Brian A. Carruthers

DMML 805: Advanced Pastoral Ministry

Required Textbooks

Pastoral Ministry: The John MacArthur Library… John MacArthur and Faculty

Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership: Case Studies in Biblical Decision Making… Michael R. Milco

Alternative Textbooks

Pastoral Ministry According to Paul: a Biblical Vision… James Thompson

Empowered Church Leadership: Ministry in the Spirit According to Paul… Brian J. Dodd

DMML 806: Leadership in Ministry

Choose the First Required Textbook from the Two Titles Listed Below.

Just Business: Christian Ethics for the Marketplace… Alexander Hill

Evangelical Christian Executives: A New Model for Business Corporations… Lewis D. Solomon

Choose the Second Required Textbook from the Four Titles Listed Below.

Leadership Handbook of Management and Administration… James D. Berkley

Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge… James M. Kouzes, Barry Z. Posner, and John C. Maxwell

Coaching Ministry Teams: Leadership and Management in Christian Organizations… Kenneth O. Gangel

How to Run Your Business by the Book: A Biblical Blueprint to Bless Your Business… Dave Anderson and John C. Maxwell

DMML 807: Christian Counseling in Ministry

Required Textbooks

Introduction to Psychology and Counseling… Meier, Wichern, Ratdiff

Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically (MacArthur Pastor’s Library)… John MacArthur, Wayne A. Mack, and Master’s College Faculty

Alternative Textbooks

Theology of Christian Counseling… Jay E. Adams

The Biblical Basis of Christian Counseling for People Helpers: Relating the Basic Teachings of Scripture to People’s Problems… Gary Collins

DMML 808: Organization and Leadership

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

360 Degree Leadership: Preaching to Transform Congregations… Michael J. Quicke

Team Leadership in Christian Ministry: Using Multiple Gifts to Build a Unified Vision… Kenneth O. Gangel

Listening Ministry (Rethinking Pastoral Leadership)… Susan K. Hedahl

New Kind of Church, A: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century… Aubrey Malphurs

Faith as a Way of Life: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership… Christian Scharen and Miroslav Volf


Doctor of Ministry with Ministry Skills Major Focus

This curriculum will help degree candidates rethink the way they do ministry. They will have new critical and analytical thinking skills to be successful in a variety of ministry areas. Each candidate will learn to refocus God’s calling and to maximize their gifts for greater ministry effectiveness. During their studies, a healthy and balanced approach to the variety of biblical and spiritual disciplines will emerge, and their relationship with Christ will grow.

Courses and Textbooks

DMMS801: Pastoral Leadership Skills

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

Transforming Leadership: New Vision for a Church in Mission… Norma Cook Everist and Craig L. Nessan

Listening for the Soul: Pastoral Care and Spiritual Direction… Jean Stairs

Advanced Strategic Planning: A New Model for Church and Ministry Leaders… Aubrey Malphurs

The Dynamics of Church Finance: Ministry Dynamics for a New Century… James D. Berkley

Saving Souls, Serving Society: Understanding the Faith Factor in Church-Based Social Ministry… Heidi Rolland Unruh and Ronald J. Sider

DMMS 802: Biblical Preaching I

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

Reaching Generation Next: Effective Evangelism in Today’s Culture… Lewis A. Drummond

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching… Graeme Goldsworthy

Preaching to a Postmodern World: A Guide to Reaching Twenty-first Century Listeners… Graham Johnston

Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Model… Sidney Greidanus

Preaching and Teaching with Imagination: The Quest for Biblical Ministry… Warren W. Wiersbe

DMMS 803: Apologetics for 21st Century Culture

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message… Ravi Zacharias

Unshakeable Foundations: Contemporary Answers to Crucial Questions about the Christian Faith… Peter Bocchino and Norman L. Geisler

The End of Reason: A Response to the New Atheists… Ravi Zacharias and Lee Strobel

Apologetics in the New Age: A Christian Critique of Pantheism… David K. Clark and Norman L. Geisler

DMMS 804: Ethics in Christian Counseling

Required Textbook

Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook… Randolph Sanders

The Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Pastoral Counseling: Community and Silence… David Welton and Harold G Koenig

Alternative Textbook

Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One; Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care… Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager

DMMS 805: Biblical Preaching II

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

The Art & Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today’s Communicators… Haddon W. Robinson and Craig Brian Larson

The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church… Paul Wesley Chilcote and Laceye C. Warner

Preaching with Variety: How to Re-create the Dynamics of Biblical Genres (Preaching with Series)… Jeffery Arthurs and Haddon W. Robinson

MMMS 806: Strategy and Planning in Ministry

Choose the First Required Textbook from the Two Titles Listed Below.

Church and Ministry Strategic Planning: From Concept to Success… William Winston, Robert E. Stevens, David L. Louden, and R. Henry Migliore

Designing Worship Together: Models and Strategies for Worship Planning… Norma Dewaal Malefyt, Howard Vanderwell, and Robert Webber

Choose the Second Required Textbook from the Two Titles Below.

Non-Profit Strategy Revolution: Real Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid Response World… David La Piana

Planning Strategies for World Evangelism… Edward R. Dayton

MMMS 807: Communication Skills in Ministry

Choose the First Required Textbook from the Three Titles Below.

Communication and Conflict Management: In Churches and Christian Organizations… Kenneth O. Gangel and Samuel L. Canine

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication… Andy Stanley and Lane Jones

Authentic Communication: Christian Speech Engaging Culture… Tim Muehlhoff and Todd V. Lewis ane Jones

Choose the Second Required Textbook from the Two Titles Below.

Understanding Evangelical Media: The Changing Face of Christian Communication… Quentin J. Shultze and Robert H. Woods

Paradigm Shifts in Christian Witness: Insights from Anthropology, Communication, and Spiritual Power… Charles E. Van Engen, J. Dudley Woodberry, and Darrell Whiteman

MMMS 808: Financial Skills for the 21st Century Minister

Select Two Textbooks from the List Below.

Money Matters in Church: A Practical Guide for Leaders… Steve Stroope and Aubrey Malphurs

Make Your Church’s Money Work: Achieving Financial Integrity in Your Congregation… John Temple

How to Increase Giving in Your Church: A Practical Guide to the Sensitive Task of Raising Money for Your Church or Ministry… George Barna

Ministry and Money: A Practical Guide for Pastors… Janet Jamieson and Philip Jamieson

The Atlantic Coast Mission is to provide you with the courses, technology, and academic support to ensure that you obtain the specific knowledge, skills, and credentials to maximize your potential for the demands of the 21st Century.