Master of Divinity with a Concentration in International Church Planting (2+2/2+3)
Purpose
The Master of Divinity with a concentration in International Church Planting provides a solid foundation of classical studies and an international missions focus on church planting. This concentration equips students to start and develop churches abroad. The uniqueness of this degree allows students to complete their course of study while serving in international settings. The church planting experience primarily occurs under the direction of the International Mission Board's 2 to 3 year appointment programs.
Entrance Requirements
The student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. One year of Biblical Greek or Biblical Hebrew is required for completion of the program.
Successful completion of the degree presupposes successful appointment by the International Mission Board to do the field portion of the degree, unless given special permission by the Dean to serve with another organization.
Educational Method
This concentration combines a strong theoretical emphasis with practical field-based learning. After completing basic Master of Divinity courses on campus, students complete the field-based portion of the degree, while serving on a two or three-year international field assignment abroad under the supervision of a veteran missionary or church planter.
Church Planting Experience
Students must meet the requirements for missionary appointment and be appointed by the IMB. The appointment must involve a minimum of two years of service. The placement in most cases must include: (1) involvement with starting new congregations and/or developing a strategy for a people group, and (2) a carefully monitored supervisory relationship with a veteran church planter or missionary. Students should apply for appointment at least one year before the proposed beginning date of missionary service and should consult their academic advisor to plan the sequence of courses in order to coordinate with the proposed beginning date of missionary service.
Field Courses
During the student's field assignment, he or she will take two modular courses taught at an international location.
The two field based modular courses are Animistic Folk Religions and Applied Anthropology for Church Planting. The Remaining 12 hours will include FPO, Language Acquisition, Missions Mentorship, and an online section of Cross-Cultural Ethics. If the Dean approves the student to serve with another missions sending organization, the FPO course may be subbed with another appropriate course at the Dean's discretion.
Degree Requirements
| Course Title | Course Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
Biblical Studies |
||
| Biblical Hermeneutics | BIBST 3203 | 3 |
| Old Testament I | OLDTS 3313 | 3 |
| Old Testament II | OLDTS 3323 | 3 |
| New Testament I | NEWTS 3313 | 3 |
| New Testament II | NEWTS 3323 | 3 |
| Biblical Greek I and II or | GREEK 3313 and 3323 | 6 |
| Biblical Hebrew I and II | HEBRW 4313 and 4323 | |
Theological Studies |
||
| Church History I | CHAHT 3103 | 3 |
| Church History II | CHAHT 3113 | 3 |
| Baptist Heritage | BPTST 3203 | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | SYSTH 3053 | 3 |
| Systematic Theology II | SYSTH 3063 | 3 |
| Systematic Theology III | SYSTH 3073 | 3 |
Evangelism and Missions Studies |
||
| Contemporary Evangelism | EVANG 3303 | 3 |
| Introduction to Missiology | MISSN 3363 | 3 |
Preaching and Additional Studies |
||
| Introduction to Expository Preaching OR Introduction to Expository Teaching1 | PRCHG 3313 or WOMST 40431 | 3 |
| Spiritual Formation | SPFRM 3022 | 2 |
| Christian Apologetics | PHILO 4373 | 3 |
International Church Planting Concentration |
||
| Globalization and Missions Strategies | MISSN 3373 | 3 |
| Major Living Religions | MISSN 4333 | 3 |
| Cross-Cultural Communication | MISSN 5373 | 3 |
| Free Electives | 3 | |
Courses to be taken on the Field |
||
FPO Courses |
||
| Field Personnel Orientation | MISSN 3603 | 3 |
Modular Courses |
||
| Animistic Folk Religions | MISSN 3473 | 3 |
| Anthropology for Church Planting | MISSN 4653 | 3 |
Online Field Courses |
||
| Cross-Cultural Ethics | MISSN 5393 | 3 |
Field-Based Mentorship & Language Courses |
||
| Mission Mentorship | MISSN 5643 | 3 |
| Field Language Acquisition | MISSN 3613 | 3 |
| Total | 83 | |
*Female students take WOMST 4043 Introduction to Expository Teaching.
Additional Resources
Students interested in more information regarding the program should contact the Fish School of Evangelism and Missions Dean's Office at (817) 921-8642 or by emailing FishSchool@swbts.edu. Students may also contact the Office of the Registrar at (817) 921-8820 or in Fleming 204.