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.
