header-worshiping by lake

M.A. in Leadership with a Concentration in Outdoor Leadership

The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge... Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
-From Psalm 8 &19

What is a Master of Arts in Leadership with a concentration in Outdoor Leadership?

God has given us an incredible laboratory for learning to love Him — His creation! Have you experienced how God uses His creation to ignite our hearts, shape our character, and train us for service? The Master of Arts in Leadership with a concentration in Outdoor Leadership is a unique combination of our solid M.A. core of biblical and theological courses, with wilderness and adventure experiences led by experts in outdoor ministry. This concentration will provide you with the essentials for leading, planning, and facilitating outdoor ministry, shaped by a solid biblical framework for ministry. You will receive the skills and resources necessary for outdoor ministry that is biblically faithful, spiritually rich, and personally engaging. And where better than in the Colorado Rockies?

The M.A. in Leadership with a concentration in Outdoor Leadership is excellent preparation for goals such as:
  • Executive leadership in an existing camp, organization, church, or parachurch
  • Launching and leading a new ministry focused on wilderness, adventure, and challenge course programming
  • Cross cultural missiological engagement in the U.S. and internationally

Structure

What classes will I take?

In addition to the required M.A. core classes (32 hours), the Master of Arts in Leadership includes 18 hours of classes specific to leadership and 12 hours of classes specific to outdoor leadership.

  M.A. in Leadership

Course #

Sem Hrs.

 M.A. Core

 

32

 Communicating and Leading in Intercultural
 Contexts1

IM 621

3

 Theological and Theoretical Foundations for
 Leadership

LD 501

3
 Strategy for Leadership Development

LD 511

3

 Management for Leaders

LD 521

 3
 The Personal Life of the Christian Leader LD 601 2

 Handling Conflict and Change in Intercultural
 Contexts

LD 631

 2
 Leadership in Action

LD 794

 2
 Outdoor Leadership Concentration (12 hours):

 

    - Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical
      Foundations

OL 501

 3

    - Outdoor Leadership Organization and
      Management

OL 503

 3

    - Outdoor Leadership electives

  6 

Total Degree Hours: 

62

1 Includes components that meet the globalization awareness requirement.

Courses focus on the theology, philosophy, soft-skills and meta-skills of wilderness ministry and adventure programming. Special emphases will be placed upon the use of wilderness ministry and adventure programming for evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, spiritual formation, and in mission. Courses are taught by Christian ministry leaders who are theologically, experientially, and academically equipped. In addition, courses are academic and experiential, utilizing our classrooms in Littleton and the rivers, lakes, peaks and backcountry wilderness of Colorado and Wyoming.  They are experiential opportunities enhanced through partner relationships with some of the top Christian organizations in the Rocky Mountain Region.

A sample of elective classes:

Department Faculty

Faculty Highlight

Amber and Mike DeBoer are instructors in outdoor leadership and bring over 25 years of combined outdoor experience to Denver Seminary. Both have an M.S. in Outdoor Education from Southern Adventist University and have led numerous wilderness trips with Denver Seminary, as well as other organizations and camps. Currently they serve as executive directors of Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je.

Check us out! We may be the right place for your next step in ministry training.

 

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