Bethel Seminary
Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies
An InMinistry program of Bethel Seminary
The Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies (M.A.G.C.S.) builds upon an appropriate undergraduate degree and integrates insights from the other disciplines at Bethel Seminary. The program introduces students to the biblical, theological, historical, cultural/contextual, and strategic foundations for an informed and effective communication of the Christian message across cultures, whether overseas or among the growing ethnic populations within the United States.
Specifically, the M.A.G.C.S. enhances the development of practical ministry skills related to the following key issues:
- A relevant theology for effective cross-cultural ministry
- An accurate understanding of the contemporary world and its needs
- An interdisciplinary perspective for planning and leading effective ministries
- The cultural dimensions of effective global and contextual ministry
- The ability to accurately exegete a cultural—especially urban—context
- Incarnational models for effective cross-cultural ministry
- Contextualization of the Christian message
- The utilization of points of contact within other religious traditions
InMinistry Intensives
The InMinistry M.A.G.C.S. requires students to complete at least one intensive (or two courses) in an approved international context, and allows them the option of completing as many as one-half of the normal on-campus intensives (or six intensive courses) at approved international extension sites. The remaining six intensives are offered in St. Paul. All course intensives begin with four weeks of preparation via distance learning prior to the intensive week on campus (whether traditional or at an international location). The one-week intensive is then followed by another four weeks of at-distance instruction including online discussions, applicaton of on-campus learning to the student’s ministry setting, and preparation of final course projects. During the intensive week, 30-plus hours of classroom instruction are supplemented by chapel, meetings with faculty and cohort groups, and study time.
InMinistry M.A.G.C.S. Suggested Sequence of Courses
(Bethel Intensive) |
(Distance) |
(International Intensive Option) |
(Distance) |
|
| First Year | • BT101 Hermeneutics • GC101 Intro to Global and Contextual Studies • SP001 Personal Assessments |
• SP110 Personal and Spiritual Formation |
• OT101 Genesis—Ruth • GC202 Christianity in Culture |
• OT102 1 Samuel— Song of Songs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • GC151 Cross Cultural Ministry Practicum I (integrates SP001) | ||||
| Second Year | • NT101 Gospels • GC/ML113 Transformational Leadership |
• GC201 Cross-Cultural Communication |
• TS101 Systematic Theology I • GC222 Global Urban Ministry |
• TS102 Systematic Theology II |
| • GC219 Cross-Cultural Experience | ||||
| Third Year | • TS103 Systematic Theology III • SP141 Self in Community • TL001 Vocational Assessments |
• HS103 Church History Survey |
• NT102 Acts and Pauline Epistles • GC234 Cross-Cultural Church Planting |
• GC212/ TS232 World Religions |
| • GC152 Cross-Cultural Ministry Practicum (integrates TL001) | ||||
| Fourth Year | • OT103 The Prophets • GC241 Change Agency |
• GC/BTF |
|
Graduation |
| • Statement of Faith | ||||
* These courses could be completed at other times, depending on the scheduling of students’ cross-cultural experiences.
Faculty
Wilbur P. Stone, Ph.D., is the lead faculty in the M.A.G.C.S. program. Following 15 years of pastoral ministry, Stone became involved in overseas cross-cultural ministry in 1990. His primary ministry locations were Hong Kong (1990-1994) and Malaysia (1997-2002), but his ministries also involved working with existing churches and church leaders in other locations such as Macau, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Singapore. His ministry involvements included strategy coordinator and team leader for an urban team in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; adjunct lecturer, teaching a variety of courses (primarily missions-related) at seminaries in Malaysia and Singapore and serving as the director of a seminary extension program; conducting seminars; church planting; ministry to migrants (both in-country and foreign); ministry to drug addicts; ministry to the urban poor; and serving as the mission administrator and treasurer in Hong Kong. These ministries allowed him to work with people from a variety of ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds as well as to experience varied ministries in major urban settings.
To Learn More
To learn more about the Master of Arts in Global and Contextual Studies, contact Wilbur Stone at:
Phone: 651.635.8787
Email: w-stone@bethel.edu
Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools; pending accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.