Gordon College is setting its sights on leaders beyond the pulpit. Reimagining theological education, the liberal arts Christian institution’s School of Ministry, Theology and Biblical Studies recently announced a new program: a Master of Arts in Theology for Community Transformation and a certificate in Scripture, Theology, and Transformation to persons of all professions.
Located on the North Shore of Boston in Wenham, Massachusetts, the multidenominational Christian college aims to empower more people committed to positively transforming their communities. In addition to core subjects, students will learn how to facilitate spiritual experiences, minister to people experiencing suffering, learn how to communicate in captivating and creative ways, and build effective organizations for communal transformation.
These educational offerings are outside of the dominant model of theological education, which has traditionally centered Christian ministry inside one’s local church and persons pursuing pastoral ministry. Not drawing a line between the sacred and the secular, these programs imply that calling can be practiced in a variety of settings and through any number of other professions.
“For a long time, theology degrees were only linked to full-time work in the church, but
we believe theological education should be for everyone,” Dr. Jason Myers, program director and Gordon College professor of New Testament, said in a press release. “We’ve developed a new approach that equips anyone to lead—regardless of profession. This M.A. and certificate are designed to come alongside leaders in the communities they already belong to and empower them to think theologically and contextually.”
Financial sustainability and shifting student demographics are changing the landscape of theological education across the country. Gordon College is meeting this point of transition by choosing to evolve educational approaches, sensitive to both cost and time, over traditional educational practices.
Myers said in our interview that the school is “recognizing where God is already at work” and emphasizing mentorship and partnership with potential students. The school’s goal is to close the “overqualified, unexperienced gap,” he added.
Gordon College is creating a unique environment for learning, where work experience is valued and the student’s work schedule is assumed. “You don’t have to reorganize your life to pursue your degree,” Myers explained.
But the school is not only committed to a diverse workforce but also to Christian faith expressions. “At Gordon, we believe our worship and understanding of God are expanded when we learn alongside people who serve in other contexts and come from different Christian backgrounds,” Dr. Sharon Galgay Ketcham, dean of the School of Ministry, Theology and Biblical Studies, said. “As the first graduate-level offerings within our School, we purposefully designed this program to enrich lives through Christian community while also celebrating a student’s call to leadership and equipping them to be an effective changemaker.”
Expanding the call beyond the church’s doors, Gordon College is responding with its asynchronous online coursework delivery and in-person learning intensives. The master’s degree program also includes a 10-day international capstone trip to Greece, Israel, or Italy, countries that have influenced Christianity.
“By offering an international experience, our theological students can personally delve into the historical, social and geographical contexts they’ve learned about in class,” Dr. Sandra Doneski, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Gordon College, said. “We’re confident this innovative program and these global, firsthand experiences will help faith leaders further develop their expertise to meet the changing needs of people in their communities.”
The school is currently accepting applications for the inaugural fall cohort. Interested applicants can learn more about the program and apply here.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, an associate editor, host of the Good Faith Media podcast, “The Raceless Gospel” and author of Take Me to the Water: The Raceless Gospel as Baptismal Pedagogy for a Desegregated Church.
