Master of Arts in Christian Formation (MACF)
Equipping the discipleship ministry of the church
48 Credit Hours + 7 Field Education Credits
Master of Arts in Christian Formation at North Park Theological Seminary
The Master of Arts in Christian Formation (MACF) at North Park Theological Seminary is a 48-credit-hour degree (plus seven credits of contextual field education) designed to equip leaders for ministries focused on Christian formation, discipleship, and spiritual growth in congregational and educational settings. Coursework provides a foundation in Bible, theology, Christian history, spiritual formation, and ministry practice, alongside specialized electives in Christian education and intercultural engagement. The program’s blend of academic study and hands-on fieldwork prepares graduates for roles such as children’s or youth pastor, camp director, or adult educator, and can lead to Ordination to Word and Service in the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Students in the MACF program learn to interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity, apply models of Christian education and formation formation in ministry, and engage diverse communities with intercultural agility.
Our cohort model of education builds community interdependence, and the part-time format is ideal for those already serving in ministry or working full time. Graduates will develop a firm theologically foundation with a strengthened ministerial identity and practical skills to lead formation ministries that nurture faith across generations.
Areas of Study
By credit hour
Learning Outcomes
After completing a Master of Arts in Christian Formation, you will be able to:
- Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity in relation to Christian formation.
- Convey the Christian tradition for appropriation in the life and mission of the Church.
- Articulate the significance for ministry of educational, organizational, and spiritual models and theories of Christian formation.
- Demonstrate a theologically grounded ministerial identity and growing capacity to integrate it with the ministry of Christian formation.
- Engage diversity and exhibit growth towards intercultural competence for ministry reflective of God’s global redemptive work.
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Featured Courses
CEDF 5100 Christian Education and Formation In the Church
This course will introduce the tensions and dimensions of historical, theological, and pedagogical foundations of Christian Formation. Time will be given to discussing leadership concerns as pastors of Christian formation, and will facilitate a broad awareness of Christian formation in the Church.
BIBL 6290 Intercultural Readings of the Bible
The course interprets select biblical texts from the Old and New Testament with an appreciation for how African-American, Asian-American, Latin-American, and other ethnic-American scholars hear these same texts from their respective cultural locations and social histories. Special attention is given to exegetical method, theological reflection, and cultural hermeneutics.
I hope that every student in my courses walks away with a greater knowledge about the culture and social values of the first century world, a greater love for reading the New Testament in its ancient context, and a greater faith to live out this same gospel message more radically today
—Dr. Max Lee, Professor of New Testament
Program Notes
Time to Completion
4 years (part time). The degree is offered as a part time, cohort-driven program. Plan your program.
Ordination
The Master of Arts in Christian Formation is the principal ministerial degree for those seeking Ordination to Word & Service—specialized church ministry—with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Distance or Local
This program can be completed as a distance, commuter, or residential on-campus student.
Distance students can participate in our Ignite (West) or Equip (Midwest) cohorts, or can join our Chicago-based cohort. All students work online during Spring and Fall semesters, and travel to their cohort location for annual in-person immersion experiences. Learn more about our program design.
Admissions Advisor
Nearly all seminary students are eligible for financial aid packages, and our admissions counselors can walk you through your tuition options. Explore your cost.
The prerequisite for entrance to the seminary master’s degree or graduate certificate program at North Park Theological Seminary is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of a 2.5. In special cases we will review an applicant who does not meet these academic requirements—please contact seminary admissions)
The prerequisite for the dual-degree options is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of a 3.0.
To Apply
Complete the master’s degree online application. Applications are taken on a rolling basis. Start the application any time, save as you go, and submit when you are ready.
These supplemental items are required
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- Recommendations: Each application requires three recommendations: pastor, church committee, and faculty or colleague. You provide name and email address, and our application system will email secure recommendation forms.
- Essay Questions: You will find the essay question prompt and space to upload your answers in the online application.
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Official Transcripts: North Parth Theological Seminary requires official academic transcripts from each postsecondary institution you have attended. How to send a transcript
The time in life exploring seminary options is exciting but can be lead to a lot of questions. We’re ready to help! Get in touch with an admissions counselor.