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Offered by the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach (OHSCO) through Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP).
Program Objective
The primary mission of the church is to make disciples of every nation by bearing witness to Jesus Christ through the sharing of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. The Master of Arts in Christian Outreach equips church leaders with a deepened understanding of a theology of God's mission and provides the practical tools necessary to engage in the outreach ministries of the church.
Course Descriptions
This is a 36 credit master's degree. Each cohort of students moves through these courses together.
THY 521 Spiritual Leadership Formation - 3 credits
Foundational for the whole area of Christian leadership, the course focuses on the nature of spiritual leadership development utilizing faith nurturing experiences including regular use of the Scriptures, sacraments, prayer, meditation, personal Bible Study, service, corporate activities, and mentoring. An introduction to a theological understanding of leadership formation and approaches for designing programs are presented.
THY 531 Worldviews and the Gospel - 3 credits
In this seminar, students examine historical and contemporary methods used in the rational and experiential defense of the Christian faith against unbelief, the use of categories of thought foreign to Biblical thinking, and Christian responses to worldviews hostile to Christianity with the intention of developing an appropriate, Biblical, and contemporary apologetic for particular contexts.
THY 541 History of Mission - 3 credits
Students will study the historical expansion of the Christian church and its impact on church and society over the centuries in light of God's mission. It will develop in students an awareness of God's hand in the growth of the church in all areas of the world from the time of Christ until today.
THY 551 Social Issues in Mission - 3 credits
Students consider the economic and political challenges to people in a given society and the issues of social justice. Students will design appropriate strategies for addressing the social issues in mission contexts.
THY 572 Missio Dei - 3 credits
Based upon Jesus' announcement of the Good News of the Kingdom of God, this course develops a Lutheran theology of mission that motivates Christians to proclaim the kingdom. It builds an understanding of the mission among the lost and hurting. Resources will include the Bible, the Lutheran Confessions, and missiological texts.
THY 573 Outreach Ministry in Context I: Theory - 3 credits
Students learn the process of understanding another culture, how to adapt to it, and make sound value judgments within it. The results from anthropological and sociological research as well as current communication theory will inform this endeavor. Case studies from a variety of cultures will be utilized.
THY 574/575/576 Missiological Research Design - 3 credits
This course provides an understanding of the function and scope of research science in the area of missiology so that the missiological perspective can be analyzed, discussed, and evaluated. Students begin to develop their thesis/project proposals.
THY 581 Outreach Ministry in Context II: Strategies - 3 credits
This course focuses on outreach ministry overseas and in North America. It shares distinct strategies for reaching people in the variety of contexts to be found in multi-cultural urban centers, the changing dynamics of rural culture, the exploding outer rings of major cities, and the inner ring suburbs struggling to revitalize. A theological understanding of human care and evangelistic ministries will be developed for these multiple settings.
THY 582 Evangelism in the Life of the Church - 3 credits
Students will learn how to reach those who do not know Christ and how to integrate them into the Christian family. The course will focus on general strategies and techniques of evangelism. It will also consider the worldview of the unchurched and their needs. A key emphasis is on the task every Christian has in outreach and the church worker's role in equipping them to respond to everyday opportunities.
THY 592 Capstone: Thesis, Project, or Portfolio - 3 credits
As the final work submitted by graduate students, and in respect to the guidelines for research base, analysis, and synthesis, students can choose from a thesis, project, or portfolio to complete their graduate experience. Faculty approval of the topic and finished product is required for graduation.
Field Practicums:
Students will complete two practicum courses of their choice. Students in each of the practicum courses should demonstrate depth of reflection and clarity of connections with learning experiences from program courses and activities, readings, discussions, and outside work. Items related to small group and family ministry strategies, cross-cultural issues, and effective apologetic methodologies, all based on a firm Lutheran theological understanding of God's mission, should be demonstrated.
THY 522 Care for the Whole Person - 3 credits
An individually tailored experience arranged by the student to practice skills and theories related to care giving in the congregation and community. Students will learn principles of diagnosis and personal care for the spiritual, emotional, physical, and social needs of people especially in the times of crisis, grief, and loss. A final paper describes and evaluates the experience.
THY 561 Outreach through Evangelism and Worship - 3 credits
An individually tailored experience arranged by the student to practice skills and theories related to reaching those who do not know Christ through evangelism and worship. The practicum will focus on researching, developing, and using evangelism strategies for reaching the lost. Students will describe and evaluate the experiences in a final paper.
THY 562 Writing/Production of Evangelism/ Leadership Development Materials - 3 credits
Students will write or translate evangelism and leadership development materials that reach the unchurched and equip the saved. Outreach materials should be related to worship, catechesis, assimilation, and outreach programs in the church and/or for the community.
THY 583 Planting the Worshiping Community - 3 credits
An individually tailored experience arranged by the student to practice skills and theories related to church planting/beginning small groups. Students will be asked to plan and implement a church plant/small group ministry. A final paper will describe and evaluate the experience.
THY 584 Outreach in the Urban, Suburban, or Rural Center - 3 credits
An individually tailored experience arranged by the student to practice skills and theories related to working in the urban, suburban, or rural center. Students will be asked to develop a plan for reaching urban, suburban, or rural unchurched people, immerse themselves in the particular context of ministry, and describe and evaluate the experiences in a final paper.
THY 591 Independently Developed Practicum - 3 credits
An individually tailored experience arranged by the student in consultation with the program director to practice skills and theories related to particular outreach issues and contexts in the student's present ministry. Students will develop the practicum, i.e., project, readings, assignments, in order to supplement the outreach task of the ministry in which the student is working. A final paper describes and evaluates the experience.
Total: 36 credits
Computer Requirements for the Distance Education Courses
Students will use their own personal computer and will need to secure a local Internet service provider prior to coming for the first course. Staff will assist with technology questions such as accessing chat room, emailing papers and assignments, and posting to Internet bulletin boards. Students should ensure that their Internet service provider has no firewalls in place. See the technology agreement for details.
Director of Christian Outreach Certification
Students may receive Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod certification as a DCO through courses offered in the MACO program after fulfilling additional requirements.
For More Information
While the MACO program is administered and accredited through Concordia University St. Paul, it was developed as a collaborative effort with Concordia University Portland. To receive additional information about courses, tuition, financial aid, or start dates, please contact OSCHO at:
Phone: 651-641-8224; FAX: 651-603-6202;
Email: Bunkowske@CSP.edu; Herman@CSP.edu
Address:
OHSCO
Concordia University
275 Syndicate Street North
St. Paul, MN, 55104
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