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

* 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.