Formational Leadership (MAFL)
Credential: Master of Arts: Formational Leadership
Location: Online
Program Lead Mentors: Dr. Wayne Cordeiro and Dr. Guy Higashi
Program Director: Esther Zimmerman, PhD
Program Mission Statement: This program prepares students to serve as leaders in the church and society through developing a biblical framework, missional convictions, and the ability to influence with integrity. Particular emphasis on character formation, soul-care, and practical faith practices will be central to the curriculum. Ministry leaders will be equipped to evaluate and care for their own souls as the basis for leading and participating in the mission of God in the global church and marketplace.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, the student will:
1. Formulate a philosophy of ministry respective to their ministry community and culture, which is biblically founded, practical, missional, and culturally sensitive. Biblical Philosophy of Ministry
2. Generate a global understanding and praxis of relationships through strategic community formation residencies. Global and Contextual Application
3. Cultivate a moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation necessary for personal spiritual growth and sustainable ministry. Spiritual Health and Ministry Integrity
4. Build effective personal and professional relationships based on mutual support and accountability for the purpose of intentional ministry team development. Team Mentoring and Professional Experience
5. Formulate theological skill sets leading to an integration of the person, ministry, and life of the leader for the purpose of communication. Biblical Communication Skills
6. Develop leadership competencies for the purpose of influence in a digital culture Ministry Leadership Skills
Additional Program Information: The Master of Arts in Formational Leadership degree is an interconnected learning community designed to equip globally-minded ministry leaders in holistic self-care, digital age communication, emotional intelligence, formative leadership principles, storytelling, and global engagement. This 30-credit degree program seeks to transform individual leaders while setting a course for healthy influence within a global village. Biblical, theological, and historical models of interior leadership and influence will be studied concerning their impact on the 21st-century church.
Our educational philosophy guides our approach to teaching and learning, course design, and faculty selection.
We believe that ministry leaders need to both think and do well. Therefore, we commit to providing students with a solid biblical and theological foundation and the tools to continue exploring and applying Scripture as lifelong learners. We believe the Bible offers philosophical and practical foundations for ministry in any context. Therefore, classroom content and Scriptural principles are integrated and applied to professional practice in every course. At the same time, we commit to preparing students with the knowledge and skills for ministry as leaders, caregivers, teachers, and disciple-makers.
We believe that the character of the leader is crucial for impacting ministry. Therefore, courses seek not only to educate the mind in ministry competencies but also to nurture the development of biblical character qualities in our students. We recognize that ministry leaders lead out of who they are and are becoming. Therefore, we commit to integrating spiritual formation to develop spiritual, emotional, and physical health in ministry leaders' personal and professional lives.
We believe adults learn more effectively in nurturing communities. Therefore, the graduate student is viewed as a self-directed learner. Adult learning methods are emphasized, making the classroom environment an educational workshop that emphasizes interactive methods that utilize the professor's and student's unique gifts and life experiences.
We believe in life-long education. Therefore, courses emphasize critical thinking skills related to life and ministry and provide practical research skills for maintaining continuing education in Christian ministry beyond a formal degree program. We recognize that our ministry contexts are diverse and rapidly changing. Therefore, we commit to developing students who know their context and who can exegete culture and Scripture.
Curricular Requirements and Degree Structure
The Master of Arts in Formational Leadership is a 10-course, cohort-based program that incorporates fully online courses with unique in-personal residency experiences. Students form a close-knit learning community through shared in-person experiences that establish the relational foundation for in-depth online education. This approach enables ministry leaders to continue serving in their various contexts while remaining deeply connected to their learning community. The curriculum accomplishes MAFL’s program outcomes by focusing on three core competencies:
Core Competency # 1 – Greater Focus on the Self-Care and the Spiritual Journey (15 credits)
Healthy, sustainable ministry leadership must be grounded in a solid personal connection with God. Graduate curricula can sometimes erroneously assume that pastors and leaders have a regular devotional life beyond message preparation and speaking engagements. However, research shows that nearly 90% of pastors rely on sermon prep as their time in the Word of God. (Willow Creek Reveal Study).
Within the MAFL curriculum, an emphasis on soul-care, spiritual disciplines, “leadership” community formation, and the care of the whole self seeks to address the ongoing spiritual growth of the ministry leader. This emphasis is reflected in courses that address spiritual assessment, communication, counseling, discipleship, emotional intelligence, and personal soul care.
| MFL 501 | Self-Care for the 21st Century Leader | 3 |
| MFL 502 | Integrative Theology | 3 |
| MFL 504 | Restoration & Reconciliation | 3 |
| MFL 506 | Global Community Formation | 3 |
| MFL 510 | Seasons of the Soul in Leadership | 3 |
Core Competency # 2 – Ministering in a Global Digital Age (15 credits)
All ministry occurs in a local context and to “the world.” Jesus’s commission to the church was global in scope (Mt. 28:18-20), yet we fulfill that mission in a particular time and place. As the digital age continues to unfold and access to the internet expands, the world increasingly exists as a global village. Research on the “Great Migration” indicates that 75% of those polled no longer live in their country of origin. Indeed, even the most remote people groups have access to cellphones or the internet, enabling them to connect with others instantaneously.
We recognize that ministry is deeply dependent on a proper understanding of the Bible, theology, leadership, and organizational development. Ministry leaders must be adaptable, resilient, and integrated with their approach in a global digital age. To better prepare students for ministry to “the whole world,” this curriculum utilizes an interdisciplinary approach (Bible/Theology, leadership, team-building, and organizational leadership).
| MFL 503 | Emotional Intelligence & Digital Age Communication | 3 |
| MFL 505 | Leadership as Influence | 3 |
| MFL 507 | Theology of Organization | 3 |
| MFL 508 | Shaping Resilient Teams | 3 |
| MFL 509 | Communication as Story | 3 |
Core Competency #3 - Global Experiences (0 credits)
While online education provides the flexibility most adult learners need, many offer few opportunities for in-person, face-to-face connection. The MAFL degree seeks to provide students with a unique online learning community by providing multiple opportunities within the program for students to gather in person for experiential learning and relational connection. These residency experiences provide relational space for learning reinforcement, ministry observation, and group processing.
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. In addition to the standard admission requirements, admission to the MAFL program also requires an interview with the MAFL program director or lead mentor. This admission interview permits the applicant and the director to assess student fittingness for the upcoming cohort.
Application Process
The MAFL program operates as a closed-cohort model to preserve and promote the relational trust fostered within cohorts over the two years of the program. Therefore, students are only admitted to the program when a new cohort is launched.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Due to the nature of this program, transfer credit is not accepted. Advanced Standing is not awarded.
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.
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
Program Lead Mentors:
Dr. Wayne Cordeiro
Wayne is the founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii with over 11,500 in weekend attendance. New Hope is also listed as one of the top ten most innovative churches in America by Outreach Magazine, listing them as one of the “top five churches to learn from.” New Hope has seen over 110,000 first time decisions in Hawaii since its inception 33 years ago. He is a church planter at heart with over 150 churches planted in the United States and around the world. Wayne has over 40 years of ministry leadership experience, authored twelve books, and is general editor for the Life Connect Bible.
Doctor of Ministry, Capital Seminary, Lancaster, PA
Dr. Guy Higashi
Guy is Formational Leadership Lead Mentor with LBC | Capital’s seminary and also the Creative Arts, Online and Graduate Programs director with New Hope Christian College. Guy was formerly the President of New Hope Christian College and provides leadership both in Eugene and its Hawai’i campus. Prior to his assignment to Oregon, Guy was the President of Pacific Rim Christian College- Hawai’i. His work and ministry experience includes Director of Continuing Education at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, Administrative Director for Tommy Walker, Integrity and Maranatha songwriter, Senior Pastor of New Hope Pearl Community and on the management team with Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Christian Fellowship. Guy’s corporate experience includes IBM and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Guy has a Masters degree in Worship, Theology and Arts and a Doctorate degree in Missiology with an emphasis in Ethnomusicology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has organized worship conferences and mission projects around the world. His passion is to equip pastors and leaders with resources for Kingdom purposes, especially in the areas of missiology worship and the arts. He loves playing the ukulele and guitar, outdoor activities like fly fishing, helping at the ranch with Pastor Wayne, IDPA pistol competitions, and gardening. He and his wife enjoy going to the movies, concerts, and having a nice steak or sushi dinner date. Guy and Lori have been married for 33 years and have four children and six grandchildren.
Doctor of Missiology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena California
Master of Arts - Worship, Theology, and the Arts, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Travel Industry Management, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii
Justice Administration, West Oahu College, Oahu, Hawaii
Program Director: Esther L. Zimmerman, PhD
Esther is Scottish though she now makes Pennsylvania her home. She attended Cairn University (B.S., Bible and B.S., Secondary Education), Pennsylvania State University (M.Ed., Training Design and Development) and earned a Ph.D. from Lancaster Bible College | Capital Bible Seminary & Graduate School. She has been teaching full-time at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Bible Seminary & Graduate School since January 2016. Prior to that, she served for 12 years as International Children’s Ministry Director for a global mission organization while also supporting her husband in local church ministry. Esther has been blessed with a global ministry perspective as she led a training project that extended to 60 countries. Her passion is multiplication of discipleship ministry to children in their families and communities and she continues to serve as an active member of the Global Children’s Forum. She and her husband, David, have three children: Rebekah, Daniel, and Abigail.
Faculty:
Wayne Corderio, DMin
Donald Grafton, DMin
Guy Higashi, DMiss
Talo Sataraka, DMin