Christian Care (MACC)

Purpose

The Master of Arts Christian Care Program (MACC) is focused on preparing the head, heart, and hands of ministry practitioners to meet individual and collective care needs in the Christian Church and Para-Church Community. The program addresses a broad range of common problems and typical needs. Biblical/theological truths, behavioral science insights, reliable caregiving methods, techniques, and practices along with critical thinking are utilized for developing and delivering effective, complete caregiving.

MACC Mission

We desire to develop the head, heart and hands of ministry practitioners to meet individual and collective care needs.

Developing the head: We believe that effective ministry to broken individuals in a fallen world will happen best when our students understand people, human needs, ways to care, and biblical/theological truth. To provide for these growth areas, the MACC Program will explore insights from behavioral science, examples from care ministries, ides from an historical understanding of care, and scriptural foundations. Additionally, students will be encouraged to develop a Christian worldview regarding care while being encouraged to grow in their ability to discern God’s desire for them as servants of humanity.

Developing the heart: We believe that the condition of one’s heart will affect their ability to care for people and minister successfully to their needs. Therefore, we desire that each student be able to love others as Christ loves us. TO accomplish this, the program will cause students to explore their own life first before they attempt to assist others in their journey toward health and wholeness (Matt. &:1-5). The program will provide opportunities for students to spend time in reflection, contemplation, and prayer with the hope that God will renew their heart.

Developing the Hands: We believe knowledge about caring and having the heart of a caregiver is essential but insufficient. Therefore, our students need to be given practical ideas on how to conduct care ministry with individuals, groups, and families. These ideas will include the best methodologies, practices and techniques from behavioral science along with biblical and historic Christian practices. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to apply what they are learning in lab settings where they can test concepts and receive feedback from professors.

MACC Theology and Philosophy of Education

The theology and philosophy of education from the MACC Program begins with the idea that each individual is created by God to become a unique part of His plan for the salvation of the world (Eph 2:8-10). Therefore, every person possesses a distinct personality, individual talents, and certain spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). They have further been shaped by the life circumstance which God has led them through in reaching the point where this program presently intersects with their lives. Professors, called and gifted by God to teach, must meet these unique persons where they are to help them obtain the knowledge and growth that God desires for them during the collaborative program experience (Matt. 28:19-10). Professors serve as facilitators alongside the Holy Spirt and God’s Word to help students continue their life-ling redemptive process of becoming like Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2).

God is, and by nature exists in community. He is three persons in one – a truly communal being (Gen. 1:26; Matt. 28:19). God is also, by his own choice, incarnational (Phil. 2:5-8). He lived among us to show the way to truth and life (John 1:1-14; 14:6). God also created humankind in His Image (Gen. 1:27). This means that we are designed for community and relational engagement. Because of the fall (Fen. 3), we are sinful and require God’s grace in order to be eventually restored to His original plan (Eph. 2:8). Presently, the underlying truths regarding who we are remain (Rom. 3:23-24). As educators, we believe this means that we must teach in a way that fosters authentic community, to the extent that it is possible, while recognizing this is not just an effective teaching method but a way to help students experience what God desires them to become (Heb. 10:24-25). Additionally, we, in an incarnational way, are involved with students. We believe that transformation occurs when life influences life. Being incarnational means that we must fully engage in the courses we teach not simply because research shows that teacher presence matters but because Christ needs to be modeled to students (1 Cor. 11:1)

Within the class situation, this theology and philosophy is supported by certain values that help shape the way that we design and tach the MACC course. First, we believe that learning is an ongoing process of growth. Therefore, no one ever reaches the place where they no longer need to obtain new knowledge and wisdom. We also think that each adult student brings a wealth of prior life and learning experiences to this educational environment and this should be utilized for the benefit of the community. Further, we believe that the ability to continue learning and growing is one of the wonderful gifts that God has provided (Heb. 12:1-2) Learning new things should be a joyful celebration, not merely a right or responsibility. We understand that different people learn better through various styles and educational practices. This requires a degree of flexibility and creativity in every course. Finally, we are passionate about engaging learners as individuals who enter each course with desire to learn. We expect our students to encounter the learning materials personally and with healthy independence to obtain what they need for personal growth. When our students do not share this enthusiasm, we will do our best to lead them into this joyous discovery.

As we design the courses for the MACC Program, we begin with what is most important for students to learn. We believe that starting with essential questions helps to ensure that students gain the most important knowledge, skills and methods. Therefore, assignments are designed to help assess students’ knowledge proficiency and practical ability. Whenever possible, assessments will be designed with flexibility combined with options built in to meet the needs of the diverse learners we serve. Once assessments are developed, the needed resources, or ways to locate resources, are selected to support each learning goal. These resources are also selected to reflect variety. This accommodates the various ways God has created each student to learn most effectively and also helps solidify learning into various areas of the mind. Throughout the entire course design process, educational developers remember that they have been entrusted with the students who enroll in this program and therefore need to do their best to equip them in the ways that God desires.

While teaching our classes, we rely heavily on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us meet each student’s needs (Rom. 8:26). We believe in the importance of praying for every course and individual student. As imperfect creatures, we try to remember to teach with humility and understand that sometimes we will not know enough. Ultimately, our goal is to be the kind of teacher that Jesus was to Hi disciples, knowing that we will always fall short but will answer to God one day related to our striving nonetheless (James 3:1)

Please see the program curriculum here:

• Master of Arts Christian Care, MACC

Program Competencies

The Master of Arts Christian Care Program will equip students for ministry by developing:

• A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purpose of developing a biblical worldview.
• The skills necessary for effectively communicating the Scriptures to others personally and collectively.
• The skills necessary for the personal spiritual formation and discipleship of others.
• The character and competencies necessary to be an authentic servant leader.
• An understanding of the Christian Church's biblical, historic, and present role in providing care for those with life issues.
• The knowledge and skills to apply a biblical worldview in relation to understanding, assessing, and caring for others.
• A practical understanding of the relationship between theology and the behavioral sciences while applying that understanding to caregiving.
• An awareness, understanding, and ability to utilize outside agencies when personal needs exceed what the typical church or para-church ministry can provide.
• The skills to envision, design, equip, deploy, and manage Church and para-Church based care ministries.
• The skills essential for providing individual, marriage, family, and group Christian care.

Location Offered

Greenbelt, MD

Application and Admission

Individuals seeking admission to Seminary programs must complete the following application steps. Decisions for admission to these programs are made using each application piece listed as criteria.

1. Application Form: Complete the online application and submit the $40 application fee. Once your application has been received, you will be contacted by an Admissions Representative who will guide you through the application process.
2. Autobiographical Essay: Write an autobiographical essay. Guidelines for the essay are found here or from Adult Learner Services (717-560-8282). This essay is designed to provide applicable life content as well as demonstrate the applicant's writing ability. Applicants will be evaluated on: confirmation of acceptance of Christ as personal Savior, developments in spiritual growth, statement of ministry goals, and rationale for desiring a master's degree. This autobiography has specific guidelines (please follow link above) and is designed for assessing the above content as well as writing ability.
3. References: Ask two people who are qualified to evaluate your ministry/work experience and potential, to complete the reference form on your behalf. Reference forms are located online here.
4. Request Official Transcripts: Contact all institutions through which degrees have been awarded to request official transcripts to be sent to Adult Learner Services (717-560-8282). These must be official transcripts sent directly from the degree granting institution(s). There must be a transcript from an accredited institution showing completion of a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
5. Computer Proficiency Form: Please complete the online computer proficiency form.
6. TOEFL Score: Non-native speakers of English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If the applicant has an undergraduate degree from an accredited American college or university, he/she is exempt from the TOEFL requirement. If required, the TOEFL test score must meet the following minimum for admission: paper score 550; computer score 213; or internet score 79. The applicant's skill score in writing will also be considered in the admissions decision.
7. Personal Interview: Following receipt of the above items, a personal interview will be arranged with a faculty member.

Advanced Standing

For  seminary programs, the following Biblical and Theological Studies courses are required unless the student has entered the program with advanced standing. Advanced Standing is granted to those students who have completed 30 hours or more of undergraduate Bible and theology courses. Students with less than 30 hours may receive partial Advanced Standing credit proportionate to undergraduate or graduate Bible and theology studies completed. Student's official transcripts will be evaluated during the admissions process and the student will be informed of their Advanced Standing status at the admissions interview.

BTC 523	Biblical Narrative - Old Testament	3
BTC 533	Biblical Narrative - New Testament	3
BTC 563	Biblical Interpretation	3
BTC 573	Introduction to Christian Theology	3

Application Response

Applicants will be notified within three weeks of the submission of all application materials with regards to their acceptance into a program. Five decisions are possible.

• Full Acceptance: The applicant is fully accepted with no deficiencies or leveling requirements.
• Accepted with Deficiencies: The applicant is accepted into the program with admission's academic deficiencies identified. The applicant will be informed as to the necessary steps required to achieve full acceptance.
• Accepted on Review Status: The applicant is admitted pending further review. This may be because a part of the application was incomplete (e.g. a score was not received in time) or because the applicant did not meet one of the admission's requirements.
• Delay: The applicant may receive an application delay. This may be due to the program being filled, a change in the applicant's life situation, or an event preventing the applicant from attending the first program session. Delayed status applicants will not have to reapply to the program but must pay the program down payment fee.
• Declined: The applicant who is declined will be notified by mail or email. Specific reasons for the decline are not provided.

Curricular Structure

The Master of Arts Christian Care Program consists of 48 credits and a non-credit Orientation Seminar. The Curriculum is designed as follows:

Orientation Seminar	0 Credits
Bible and Theology	12 Credits
Ministry Praxis	9 Credits
Advanced Christian Care Praxis	21 Credits
Field-based Experience	6 Credits
Program Total	48 Credits

Biblical and Theological Studies (12 Credits)

BTC 563	Biblical Interpretation	3
BTC 573	Introduction to Christian Theology	3
BTC 523	Biblical Narrative - Old Testament	3
BTC 533	Biblical Narrative - New Testament	3

Ministry Praxis (9 Credits)

MIN 504	Communicating Biblical Truth	3
MIN 509	Spiritual Formation & Discipleship	3
MIN 510	The Leader's Life & Work	3

Advanced Christian Care Praxis (21 Credits)

CHC 505	Foundations for Christian Care	3
CHC 510	Christian Care of Individuals	3
CHC 511	Christian Care of Individuals Lab	3
CHC 515	Christian Care of Families	3
CHC 516	Christian Care of Families Lab	3
CHC 520	Christian Care and Group Process	3
CHC 525	Training Christian Care Givers	3

Field Based Experience - MACC (6 Credits)

CHC 590	Christian Care of Individuals and Families Practicum	3
CHC 595	Training Christian Care Givers Practicum	3

MACC Faculty

Resident Faculty:

Philp G. Bena, MA, Professor and Program Director

Adjunct and Visiting Faculty:

Deborah Johnson-Cortesi, PhD

David W. Swan, Jr. MA

D. Fredrica Brooks-Davis, PsyD

T. Cedric Brown, DMin

Charles Ross,ThM

Daniel Hyun, DMin