Overview

Description

The MASF/D is a 60-hour* program designed for the university graduate or the Bible college graduate. Over one hundred years ago, D. L. Moody urged the church to return to the training of soul physicians. These are men and women who have learned to lean upon the Holy Spirit in both diagnosing the condition of the soul and in aiding others to experience the blessing that can be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. True ministry flows from the inner man (John 7:3-39) and genuine growth involves a strengthening of our spirits (Luke 1:80; Ephesians 3:16). This program is designed to allow God to do a work in students that He may freely work through them. It is aimed at equipping students to meet the spiritual needs of others and to shepherd, exhort and guide God's people. Training people to be soul physicians involves obeying Paul's instruction to Timothy to first pay close attention to yourself and your teaching, which results not only in one's sanctification and becoming a living epistle but also an overflowing to others in fulfilling the Great Commission. It may be a pathway to vocational employment as a minister of discipleship, small groups or other aspects of the educational ministries of the church throughout the world.

*Advanced standing, validation, and transfer credit are available; see Special Credit Options.

Goals

The program seeks to foster growth in students' lives, especially in the following areas: academic, professional and relational.

Academic
The objectives of the program are to enable the student to articulate and defend a biblical worldview that is centered in Jesus Christ and the essentials of the Christian faith. This includes the ability to articulate the basic doctrinal conclusions of the historical, evangelical, Protestant tradition consistent with literal interpretation of the Scriptures, the ability to explain the method of biblical theology and the ability to articulate a worshipful understanding of the attributes of God.

Professional
The student will construct a personal philosophy of ministry with a special emphasis on shepherding and discipling God's people. This ministry is to flow out of a disciplined pursuit of God. Furthermore, students will have opportunities to develop their skills under guided supervision through an internship.

Relational
Graduates will embrace a lifestyle of obedience and servanthood flowing out of a passionate understanding of their position in Christ and a continual dependence on the Holy Spirit as seen in the biblical attributes of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They will be committed to incarnating the gospel, equipping other believers to reach their full maturity in Christ, accepting God's design for their life and living a life of faithfulness and purity.