Do those who know you best say, "You should be in the ministry!" Do you feel a deep yearning to serve God in a special way? If so, Western Theological Seminary welcomes the opportunity to equip and empower you for service to Christ and for leadership among God's people.
Our Master of Divinity program prepares men and women for ordained ministry. The M.Div. also gives foundational training for ministries in mission, social service, evangelism, education, pastoral care, chaplaincy, and theological research.
Western seeks to build a community of faith and learning for all students. Both In-Residence and Distance Learning programs create space for deeply personal growth—soul work—within a highly relational framework. Classroom instruction, peer interaction in small groups, daily worship, weekly Communion, a spiritual formation retreat, and a trip immersing you into a different culture will contribute to your formation for ministry and personal transformation. Students from many different Christian denominations are welcomed. Together we will grapple with the relationship of the gospel to our culture as we learn and practice skills for effective ministry.
Western Theological Seminary's faculty and staff are committed to the growth and learning of our students. At Western, students practice ministry skills under the careful supervision of seasoned mentors in a real ministry setting. Weekly peer group meetings provide space to reflect on these internship experiences. To help students in their discernment, all students complete a first-year evaluation of their capacities and competencies to help set learning goals. They also participate in a mid-program assessment with faculty and Formation for Ministry staff to review their progress and guide them toward completing their MDiv degree.
Learn with our world-class faculty who combine a passion for scholarship with personal interest in each student. Following admission, each student is assigned a faculty advisor. In class, the student/professor ratio of 12:1 provides a rich environment for close work and individual mentoring. Our faculty members are nationally and internationally known and strive to equip students for Christ-centered, biblically based, theologically integrated, culturally sensitive, mission-oriented Christian leadership.
Director of In-Residence Master of Divinity Program
616-392-8555, x119
“I am committed to preparing leaders for the church's teaching ministry who will be concerned about personal and social transformation, the empowerment of persons for mission, and the faithful transmission of the Christian tradition.”
- 96 credit hours, minimum of three years.
- Formation for Ministry courses, including spiritual formation retreat and 400 hrs full-time internship
- Yearly orientations - August for in-residence students
- Intercultural Immersion trip - January term of middler year for in-residence students
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How do you learn best? What environment do you prefer? Before signing up for any online course or stepping into a classroom, it is important to discern your own learning style.
In-Residence Learner
- Prefers the physical environment of the classroom
- Enjoys regular face-to-face interaction with professors and peers
- Needs a consistent class schedule and structured learning formats
Distance Learning Learner
- Self-motivated, independent learner
- Wants flexibility of organizing his or her own learning schedule
- Disciplined, can set aside 15-20 hours per week to study and participate in an online setting
- Prefers to continue in current ministry or home situation
- Can travel twice a year for 2-week classroom-based intensives on campus in Holland, MI
Field Legend: BL - Biblical Field; MN - Christian Ministry Field; FR - Formation for Ministry; TH - Theological Field
