College Catalog - CFM
Faculty Authors
Department Chair
Dr. Barrett McRay*
CFM Faculty
Dr. Scottie May
Dr. Don Ratcliff
Dr. Tom Schwanda*
Dr. David Setran
Dr. James Wilhoit*
*Undergraduate appointment and teaches graduate level.
CFM Adjunct Faculty
Daniel T. Haase
Jennifer Jezek
Dr. Rich Little
Rob Ribbe
Dr. Jerry Root
Dr. David Sveen
Dr. Carla Waterman
Graduate Assistantship in Outdoor Ministry
More Information
CFM Faculty in the News
Christianity Today
January 2010, vol. 54, no. 1
Interview with Dr. Don Ratcliff, Price-LeBar Professor of Christian Education
MA in Christian Formation & Ministry (CFM)
Spiritual Growth. Practical Theology.
Do you have a passion for equipping others to grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ? The Christian Formation & Ministry program, informed by God's work throughout history, will prepare you for effective ministry in a variety of settings in our dynamically changing world. The CFM faculty diligently seek to develop reflective practitioners—wise, compassionate servants of Christ who are academically grounded, spiritually whole, and practically skilled.
Each student builds a strong academic foundation by taking 24 credit hours of core courses in Spiritual Formation along with the theological studies requirement of 6 credit hours. Besides the spiritual formation core students are able to choose between 5 different concentrations that are tailored toward a particular ministry interest: Children and Family Ministry, Church and Parachurch Ministry, Bible, Theology and Ministry, Outdoor Ministry Leadership and Student Development careers. A focused area of interest will facilitate the desired blend of theory and practice in a student's coursework.
Some outcomes students can anticipate
- Gain a strong biblical and theological basis for formation and ministry.
- Develop a critical understanding of the educational and spiritual processes by which people grow in personal and corporate settings.
- Deepen an awareness of gifts, passions, and calling in ministry.
- Propose compassionate ministry approaches that promote a thoughtful concern for the interior life and help bear burdens with the wounded.
- Teach effectively and handle Scripture wisely with an eye to integrate theory into creative practice.
Career opportunities
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Degree Requirements (42 hours)
513 History & Philosophy of Ministry (4)
516 Teaching for Transformation (4)
515 Human Development & Research for Ministry (4)
521 Personal Spiritual Formation (2)
522 History and Traditions of Spiritual Formation (2)
514 Ministry in Culture (2)
512 Bible in Ministry (2), meets Theological Studies Requirement (TSR)
And one 4 credit hour TSR from one of the following:
BITH 565 Christian Theology (4)
BITH 566 Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (4)
BITH 576 History of Christianity to 1900 (4)
681 Comprehensive Exam (0)
691 Concentration Mentoring Group (0)
Choose one of five concentrations in addition to the core:
1. Children and Family Ministry Concentration (18)
The Ministry to Children and Families concentration is designed for
those interested in the Christian formation of children (birth to age 12)
and families (of various sizes and structures). Grounded in principles
from Scripture and drawing on theories of Christian formation, the role
and value of children and families within the faith community is a main
focus. This concentration helps prepare students to be an effective children's
minister or family minister in a local church, or engage in a wide variety
of ministries related to children and family in other contexts.
531 Curriculum Development (2)
532 Discipleship (2)
534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (2)
551 Child Development and Spirituality (4)
611 Family Ministry (2)
621 Children's Ministry (4)
692 Children and Family Final Project (2)
2. Church and Parachurch Concentration (18)
The Church and Parachurch Ministries concentration is designed for those
who are involved or interested in church and parachurch ministries in any
setting. The core courses of this program are relevant to all ministry contexts,
providing a solid foundation in biblical and theological reflection, ministry
philosophy, practical skills and personal spiritual formation. Beyond the
core courses, students can tailor much of the program to their unique needs
and interests, selecting a combination of courses that will best equip them
for fruitful ministry.
523 Ministry Leadership and Organizations (4)
534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (2)
692 General Ministry Final Project (2)
Other Ministry Related courses within CFM department *(10)
*up to 8 can be taken from another graduate department
3. Bible, Theology and Ministry Concentration (18)
The Bible, Theology and Ministry concentration is designed for those
who desire a more advanced grounding in biblical and theological studies
while also developing a strong ministry foundation. Students in this
concentration will develop an integrated understanding of the biblical
narrative, biblical interpretations, Christian theology and church history
while also developing a ministry philosophy, learning critical ministry
skills and deepening their engagement with personal spiritual formation.
Biblical Studies
BITH 566 Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (4)
Theological Studies choose 4 credits from:
BITH 638 OT Theology (4)
BITH 648 NT Theology (4)
BITH 565 Christian Theology (4)
BITH 567 Theology of the Church (2)
BITH 561 Theological Anthropology (2)
BITH 687 Theology of Luther, Barth, Augustine, Aquinas, etc. (2-4)
Christian History choose 4 credits from:
BITH 576 History of Christianity to 1900 (4)
BITH 581 The Reformation (4)
BITH 653 Historical Theology: Ancient (2)
BITH 654 Historical Theology: Medieval
(2)
BITH 571 Introduction to the History of Christianity (2)
BITH Elective (4)
Open Elective (4)
CFM 692 Bible, Theology and Ministry Final Project (2)
4. Outdoor Ministry Leadership Concentration (18)
The Outdoor Ministry Leadership concentration is designed for current
camp, adventure and outdoor ministry professionals, as well as those
looking for excellent training to launch them into the field. In addition to
core classes in the Christian Formation and Ministry Department taken
on the main campus, students will also
take a series of modular, one-week
intensive classes related to outdoor ministry at Honey Rock, the
Northwoods campus of Wheaton College.
These classes take place at Honey Rock Camp from November to August.
662 Theology & Practice of Outdoor Ministry (4)
563 The Church and Outdoor Ministry (4)
663 Leadership Development in Outdoor Ministry (4)
564 Adventure Challenge Education (4)
692 Outdoor Ministry Leadership Final Project (2)
5. Student Development Concentration (18)
The Student Development concentration is designed for those seeking
to influence the lives of college students. This concentration will connect
you to current research that will challenge you to think critically about
collegiate learning, form collaborative partnerships across the institution
and develop a personal philosophy of student development within the
higher education context.
532 Discipleship (2)
534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (4)
545 Student Development Leadership & Organization (4)
546 Facilitating Collegiate Learning (4)
641 College/Young Adult Ministry (4)
692 Student Development Final Project
(2)