Christian Care (MACC)

Credential: Master of Arts

Location: Online

Program Director: Dr. Vanessa Saylor

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

Program Learning Outcomes/Core Competencies: As a result of this program, the students will be equipped for ministry by developing:

1. A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purpose of possessing a biblical worldview.

2. The skill set needed for effectively communicating the Bible.

3. The means necessary for facilitating personal spiritual formation and the discipleship of others.

4. The character and competencies required to be an authentic servant leader.

5. An understanding of the Christian Church’s biblical and historic role in providing care for those with life issues.

6. The knowledge and skills to apply a biblical worldview in relation to understanding, assessing, and caring for others.

7. A practical understanding of the relationship between theology and the behavioral sciences in Christian Church ministry along with the ability to apply that understanding in caring for those in the Church with exceptional needs, including when necessary the involvement of outside entities.

8. The knowledge and skills to authentically practice individual, marriage, family, and group Christian care.

9. The skills to envision, design, equip, deploy, and manage Church and para-Church based care ministries.

Additional Program Information: Christian ministry often involves interacting with people who have a variety of issues and concerns. They need care and they come to you for help. Often, the sincere and compassionate minister is not sufficiently trained to deal with the many personal, relational, and spiritual problems that occur in the lives of the adults, youth, and children they serve. This program will prepare students to provide effective care to those who need it based on the ministry of Jesus, Scripture, and reliable caregiving practices. Students will also be equipped to make necessary referrals and train others in Christian caregiving. A Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) option is available for those interested in pursuing Chaplaincy training and credentialing. Other certification options are also available.

Program Purpose: The Master of Arts Christian Care program exists to develop the mind, heart, and hands (skills) of ministry practitioners to meet congregational and individual care needs in the Christian Church and Para-Church communities. The program covers a broad spectrum of current and practical issues. This is done while encouraging students to think critically and apply biblical/theological analysis for the developing and delivery of corporate structures and individual methods of Christian caregiving.

Program Overview: 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.

Program Mission Expanded:

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, ideas from a 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 heart development, the Christian Care program will cause students to explore their own life first before they attempt to assist others in their journey toward health and wholeness (Matt. 7:1-5). The program will provide opportunities for students to spend time in reflection, contemplation, and prayer with the hope that God will renew their hearts.

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.

Educational Philosophy: The theology and philosophy of education for the MACC Program begins with the idea that everyoneis 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 circumstances 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 (Mat. 28:19-20). Professors serve as facilitators alongside the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to help students continue their life-long redemptive process of becoming like Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2).

God is, and by nature, exists in the 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). The scriptures tell us that we are designed for community and relational engagement. Because of the fall (Gen.3), we are sinful and require God’s grace 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 are supported by certain values that help shape the way that we design and teach the MACC courses. 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. Every course requires a degree of flexibility and creativity to provide a thriving learning environment. Finally, we are passionate about engaging learners as individuals who enter each course with a 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 critical 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 chosen to reflect the various ways God has created each student to learn most effectively. The multiple resources used will help to 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 the 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 His disciples, knowing that we will always fall short but will answer to God one day related to our striving nonetheless (James 3:1).

Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements

Curricular Structure	Credits
ORI 500 Orientation	0
Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses	12
Ministry Praxis Courses	9
Christian Care Courses	21
Practicum Courses	6
Program Total	48

Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses (12 credits)

Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses may be met through Advanced Standing. See the section below for more information.

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

Ministry Praxis Courses (9 credits)

MIN 504	Communicating Biblical Truth	3
MIN 511	The Church in God's Mission	3
MIN 512	Personal Spiritual Formation	3

Christian Care Courses (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

Practicum Courses (6 credits)

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

 

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission Requirements

Admission into a master's degree program at Capital Seminary is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC|Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog.

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing for the Biblical and Theological Foundations courses 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. Students’ official transcripts will be evaluated during the admissions process.

Program Retention

Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC|Capital students.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information. Transfer credit must be from an institution other than LBC|Capital.

Seminary Program	Program Credits	# of Transfer Credits	Age of Transfer Credits	Min. Grade of Transfer Credit
Christian Care (MACC)	36 cr.	up to 50%	10 yrs. biblical languages 15 yrs. all other courses	C

Graduation Requirement

The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive a Seminary degree or certificate:

• Satisfactory completion of all course work
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations
• Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one’s lifestyle
  

Program Faculty

Faculty:

Philp G. Béna, MA
Pamala Cubas, MA
Daniel Hyun, DMin
Clifford H. Mack Jr., PhD
Charles Ross, PhD
Ron Stimeare, MS
David W. Swan, Jr., MS