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M.A. in Christian Formation and Soul Care

What is a Master of Arts in Christian Formation and Soul Care?

The ministry of Christian formation and soul care is as simple as helping people love
God with all their being and love others as themselves. Yet it’s as complex as the people who do that loving and the countless ways in which God must restore our capacities for that love. Are you gripped by the need to help others grow in the depth of God’s love and wisdom? Our M.A. in Christian Formation and Soul Care will train you for this ministry by focusing on the ancient practices of spiritual friendship and direction within a clearly biblical framework. In this program you will explore biblical and historical examples of soul care, the wisdom of spiritual classics, and dynamics of the spiritual journey, while receiving practical training in the art of spiritual guidance.

At Denver Seminary, degrees in Christian Formation and Soul Care are under the Division of Christian Ministry. To learn more about the division, watch a video from the Division of Christian Ministry

The MA in Christian Formation and Soul Care is excellent preparation for goals such as:
  • Spiritual direction in church and retreat settings

  • Pastoral, teaching and leadership positions inclined toward formation, soul care and discipleship

  • Further education and training, leading to teaching in university and seminary contexts

Structure

In addition to the M.A. core (30 hours), the M.A. in Christian Formation and Soul Care involves 24 hours of required classes, 4 hours of electives, and 4 hours for a project or thesis.

  Christian Formation and Soul Care

Course #

Sem Hrs.

 M.A. Core

 

30

 Human Development and Counseling

CO 503

3

 Therapeutic Communication

CO 526

2
 Group Experience CO 539 0

 Academic Resources and Research

GS 589

1

 Biblical and Historical Foundations of
 Formation and Soul Care

CF 501

2

 Principles and Practices of Christian Formation

CF 502

2

 Dynamics of the Spiritual Journey

CF 511

2

 The Practice of Soul Care

CF 513

2

 Creating Transformational Cultures and
 Communities1

CF 515

2
 Soul Care Practicum I

CF 595

1
 Soul Care Practicum II

CF 596

1

 Readings from the Spiritual Masters II:
 Reformation to the Present

CF 605

2

 Christian Formation and Soul Care Intensive

CF 611

2

 Integrative Seminar in Christian Formation
 and Soul Care 

CF 631 2

 Christian Formation and Soul Care Proposal
 and Project or Thesis

 CF 791, 794 or
 CF 796, 799

4

 Christian formation and soul care electives
 (select 4 hours):

 

 4 

      - Formational and Healing Prayer

CF 601

(2)

      - Readings from the Spiritual Masters I

CF 604

(2)

      - Use of Scripture in Soul Care

CF 606

(2)

      - Incarnational Spirituality: Knowing God
        through Jesus

CF 607 (2)
      - Redemptive Suffering CF 608 (2)

      - Mystical Theology of the Eastern Orthodox
        Church

CF 609

(2)

      - Inner Mountain: Following Christ in the
        Monastic Tradition

CF 640 (2)

      - Studies in Christian Formation and
        Soul Care

CF 590, 690,
790

(1-4)

      - Brief Counseling

CO 560

(2)

      - The Personal Life of the Christian Leader

LD 601

(2)

Total Hours for Degree: 

62

1 Includes components that meet the globalization awareness requirement.

Department Faculty

Faculty Highlight

HowardBakerRev. Howard Baker, Instructor in Christian formation, serves with the Spiritual Formation Alliance and on the board of Young Life Africa. He has authored Soul Keeping and The One True Thing, and contributed to The Transformation of a Man’s Heart, Giving Ourselves to Prayer, and The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible.

 

 

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