Department Chair
CFM Faculty
*Undergraduate appointment, also teaches graduate level
CFM Adjunct Faculty
Graduate Assistantship in Outdoor Ministry
More Information
Vocational journey: Dr. Setran
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 will prepare you for effective ministry in a variety of settings in our dynamically changing world. The CFM faculty members 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 a core of spiritual formation courses (18 hrs) and theological studies courses (6 hrs). Students build on this core by choosing a concentration tailored to their ministry interest. There are five concentrations:
- Bible, Theology, and Ministry
- Church and Parachurch Ministries
- Ministry to Children and Families
Having a focused area of interest facilitates the desired blend of theory and practice in a student's coursework.
Features and Benefits
- Five concentrations.
- Two-day schedule—Mondays and Thursdays (except for HoneyRock courses).
- Gain strong biblical and theological basis for formation and ministry.
- Develop critical understanding of educational and spiritual processes by which people grow in personal and corporate settings.
- Deepen awareness of gifts, passions, and calling in ministry.
- Propose compassionate ministry approaches that promote thoughtful concern for 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
|
Advanced Higher Education |
Cross-Cultural Ministry Discipleship/Small Groups Ministry |
Local Church Ministry |
Degree Requirements (42 hours)
Core (18)
CFM 513 History & Philosophy of Ministry (4)
CFM 516 Teaching for Transformation (4)
CFM 515 Human Development & Research for Ministry (4)
CFM 521 Personal Spiritual Formation (2)
CFM 522 History and Traditions of Spiritual Formation (2)
CFM 514 Ministry in Culture (2)
CFM 681 Comprehensive Exam (0)
CFM 691 Concentration Mentoring Group (0)
Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) (6)
CFM 512 Bible in Ministry (2)
Biblical & Theological Studies (4), choose one:
BITH 565 Christian Theology (4)
BITH 566 Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (4)
BITH 576 History of Christianity to 1900 (4)
Concentration (18)
Church and Parachurch Ministries
Ministry to Children and Families
BIBLE, THEOLOGY, AND MINISTRY Concentration
The Bible, Theology, and Ministry concentration is designed for those who desire both advanced grounding in biblical and theological studies and a strong ministry foundation. Students develop an integrated understanding of the biblical narrative, biblical interpretations, Christian theology, and church history. They also develop a ministry philosophy, learn critical ministry skills, and deepen their engagement with personal spiritual formation.
Biblical Studies (4)
BITH 566 Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (4)
Theological Studies (4)
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 (4)
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)
Electives (4)
BITH or CFM course(s) (2-4)
CFM 692 Bible, Theology, and Ministry Final Project (2)
CHURCH AND PARACHURCH MINSTRIES Concentration
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.
CFM 523 Ministry Leadership and Organizations (4)
CFM 534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (2)
CFM Electives (10) Ministry-related courses, up to 8 hrs. can be from another graduate academic dept.
CFM 692 Church and Parachurch Ministries Final Project (2)
MINSTRY TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Concentration
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.
CFM 531 Curriculum Development (2)
CFM 532 Discipleship (2)
CFM 534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (2)
CFM 551 Child Development and Spirituality (4)
CFM 611 Family Ministry (2)
CFM 621 Children's Ministry (4)
CFM 692 Ministry to Children and Families Final Project (2)
OUTDOOR MINISTRY LEADERSHIP Concentration
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 the CFM core classes taken on the main campus of Wheaton College, students take the following four outdoor-ministry courses (one-week intensives) at HoneyRock, the Northwoods campus of Wheaton College.
CFM 662 Theology & Practice of Outdoor Ministry (4)
CFM 563 The Church and Outdoor Ministry (4)
CFM 663 Leadership Development in Outdoor Ministry (4)
CFM 564 Adventure Challenge Education (4)
(The above classes take place at HoneyRock from November to August.)
CFM 692 Outdoor Ministry Leadership Final Project (2)
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Concentration
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.
CFM 532 Discipleship (2)
CFM 534 Care & Counsel in Ministry (2)
CFM 545 Student Development Leadership & Organization (4)
CFM 546 Facilitating Collegiate Learning (4)
CFM 641 College/Young Adult Ministry (4)
CFM 692 Student Development Final Project (2)