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Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership

Graduate School of Ministry

Christian Leadership for Today

Crown provides an excellent and practical alternative to the seminary experience: the online Christian Masters in Ministry Leadership. An advanced degree with an emphasis on practical leadership, the program prepares men and women for leadership positions in churches, missions, and other faith-based organizations.

Why study Ministry Leadership at Crown?

Demonstrate a commitment to spiritual formation as a lifelong journey and correlate spiritual formation with ministry and leadership development.
Apply the theology of leadership and work to an area of ministry leadership practice.
Analyze one’s personal and leadership decisions in light of the principles of effective stewardship, time-management, teamwork and leadership initiative.

Convenient

Our program is primarily online, perfect for busy working adults. Most courses last eight weeks, creating an optimized and efficient learning environment. Students are assigned an academic advisor who walks alongside them to help every student succeed.

Experienced Faculty

Our program is led by individuals with excellent scholarship and experience in the ministry field at the global scale. Built within each course are discussion posts designed to bolster the online community and expand every student’s network.

Affordable

Graduates of Crown’s Masters in Ministry Leadership program can be confident they are receiving a degree at an affordable price compared to other programs. For more information, visit our financial aid page.

This program has given me new ways of thinking. It’s broadened my perspective. The whole system, the way that it’s built up, the modular aspect of it, the compressed from a full semester into seven and a half weeks, worked really well with being, pastoring at the same time I was doing the degree. It just created a good rhythm.

Peter Vincent

Careers

Pastor
Pastoral Counselor
Community Outreach Coordinator

Advanced Degrees

Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Nick Fox

Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry | Chair of Biblical, Theological, + Ministry Studies

Dr. Cornelia White

Core Faculty Member

Dr. Bill Kuhn

Dean, School of Theology + Ministry

Crown College’s Graduate School of Ministry programs are accredited with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This prestigious accreditation provides students with the assurance of Crown’s academically excellent and robust theological education.

The Graduate School of Ministry programs are designed to meet the needs of students regardless of their life context, with courses held primarily online and optimized for an effective online learning environment. ATS accreditation provides Crown’s graduate theological programs a structure for continuous improvement and expands opportunities for students to launch into ministry and further education.

Viewbook: Life at Crown

Crown College Lookbook

Preview of Courses

CST 6210 - Theology of Leadership, Vocation and Work

This course is a study of the theology of leadership, vocation, and work as they relate to providing leadership in diverse ministry contexts. Students will be prepared to reflect biblically and theologically on leadership, vocation, and work in order to make wise personal decisions and to help others understand the relationship between work, ministry, and service in the Kingdom of God.

GRD 5014 - Organizational Communication

This course is an introduction to the theories and practice of organizational communication with an emphasis on the themes of communication, empowerment, and technology and their impact on organizations.

MIN 5512 - Facilitating Spiritual Formation

Through this course students will identify their place on the spiritual journey and develop skills to help people grow spiritually. Attention will be given to the divine dynamic of spiritual formation, to models of spiritual formation, to spiritual disciplines, and to tools for directing others in spiritual formation via one-on-one mentoring, small groups, and/or establishing a spiritual growth program.

FAQs

How is Crown's M.A. in Ministry Leadership different from a traditional seminary degree?

Crown designed the M.A. in Ministry Leadership as a practical alternative to the traditional seminary experience. Instead of centering primarily on academic theology, the program emphasizes applied leadership, preparing students to lead churches, missions, and faith-based organizations. Coursework ties theology directly to real-world practice in areas like organizational leadership, communication, and spiritual formation.

What can you do with a Master's in Ministry Leadership?

Graduates are equipped for leadership roles in churches, missions, and other faith-based organizations, with common paths including pastor, non-profit leader, and community outreach coordinator. Students who want to continue their theological education can pursue Crown’s Master of Divinity, the fuller professional ministry degree.

Can I earn the M.A. in Ministry Leadership while working full-time in ministry?

Yes. The program is offered primarily online and built for busy working adults, with most courses running in focused eight-week terms. Every student is paired with an academic advisor for support, and many complete the degree while continuing to pastor or work full-time.

Is Crown's Graduate School of Ministry accredited?

Yes. Crown College’s Graduate School of Ministry programs, including the M.A. in Ministry Leadership, are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), a leading accreditor of graduate theological education in the U.S. and Canada. This accreditation assures students the degree meets recognized standards for academic and theological quality and supports further education.

What courses are included in the M.A. in Ministry Leadership?

The curriculum blends theology, leadership, and practical ministry skills. Sample courses include Theology of Leadership, Vocation and Work, Organizational Communication, and Facilitating Spiritual Formation, designed to help students lead effectively while deepening their own spiritual growth.

Do I need to already be a pastor to enroll?

No. The program is open to men and women preparing for, or already serving in, a range of leadership roles across churches, missions, and faith-based organizations. It’s built to develop leadership capacity whether you’re advancing in a current role or stepping into ministry for the first time.

Related Programs

Master of Divinity
M.A. in Christian Studies
M.A. in Pastoral Counseling

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