MA in Practical Theology & Ministry

The Master of Arts programme in Practical Theology and Ministry focuses on the ministry of individuals and communities within the contemporary society. Rooted in academic practical theology and in dialogue with the social sciences, it integrates reflective professional practice within Christian spirituality.

Programme Overview

This programme focuses on the ministry of individuals and communities within contemporary society. Rooted in academic practical theology, and in dialogue with the social sciences, it integrates reflective professional practice within Christian spirituality. It exemplifies research and practice-led teaching for ministry, which is a distinctive feature of LST’s educational mission. LST is evangelical and interdenominational in ethos and this programme invites evangelical theology to be in conversation with the broader tradition of the Christian church. The programme allows students to engage with a range of perspectives within academic practical theology and seeks to enable deep theological reflection, whether in an explicitly church-based context or in charity or secular professional settings.

Studying Theology would make you more certain about the central doctrines of the faith and less certain about some of the peripheral ideas that you may start with. The best ways to prepare for the study of Theology are to read more of the Bible and get experience in Christian service.

Tony Lane, Professor of Historical Theology

Programme Videos and Testimonials

Why Theology?

3 Videos

Key Information

 

This programme is ideally suited for:

  • Existing church leaders looking to develop a theologically-informed practice of ministry
  • Graduate students in theology and religion wanting to spend a year or more preparing for Christian ministry.
  • Graduate students looking to acquire a secure foundation in academic practical theology as preparation for research degree level study (MPhil/PhD).

The MA Practical Theology and Ministry (180 credits) includes the first core module on Practical Theology and Reflective Practice (40 credits), which is central to the whole programme. It provides an essential grounding in the literature in the field.

The second core module on Dissertation Research and Design (20 credits) is compulsory, as well as the Dissertation (60 credits), where the student can select a particular topic for study in significant depth. Three further optional modules (each 20 credits) are chosen by the student according to their interest.

Optional 20 credit modules

Term 1

• Education in Context

• Leadership and the Public Square

• Empirical Research Methods

Term 2

• Pastoral Psychology

• Ministry in Context

• Spirituality in Ministry

• Practicum

• Empirical Research Methods

Practical Theology and Ministry Programme Specification – Click here

Practical Theology and Ministry Programme Module Narratives – Click here

Postgraduate Taught Programmes Academic Regulations – Click here

Students study either in blended mode or online mode. ‘Blended mode’ means that students will study up to 60 credits onsite at LST with their other credits studied via LST’s Virtual Learning Environment. ‘Online mode’ means that students will study entirely through LST’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Full-time (12 months) students are expected to commit around 40 hours per week to their studies.

*For Full-Time (12 months) study, we strongly recommend that you have a theology or religious studies (or closely related field) degree.

Part-time students (24 or 36 months) are expected to commit from 14-20 hours per week to their studies.

In normal circumstances students will be required to have a UK BS Honours degree at 2.2 level (or equivalent) as well as the necessary English language ability. A qualification in theology is not required.

However, we strongly advise that those seeking to study the programme full-time in one year have a qualification in theology or religious studies.

London School of Theology programmes are quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.

What you will study

Level 4 (First year of full-time study)

In your first year, you will study three complementary strands of theological thinking: Biblical Studies; Christian History, Doctrine and Theology; and Christian Life, Ministry and Mission.

The Level 4 modules you will study are:

  • New Testament Introduction
  • Old Testament Introduction
  • Faith in Time
  • Global Christianity
  • Practical Placement 1
  • Introduction to Theology
  • God & Creation
  • Spiritual Theology 1
  • New Testament Texts or New Testament Greek
  • Old Testament Texts
  • Introduction to Doctrine
  • Key Christian Thinkers

 

Level 5 and 6 (the second and third year of full time study)

In your second year, two-thirds of modules are compulsory and one-third are optional. At Level 6 (your final year), one-quarter of the content is compulsory. So, as you progress through the degree, there are more choices of modules you can take to shape the degree according to your interests and calling.

Some examples of Level 5 and 6  modules you will study are:

• Genesis, Prophets & God
• Person & Work of Christ
• Scripture, Exegesis & Hermeneutics
• New Testament Greek
• Preaching
• Sin, Grace & Eschatology
• Jesus & the Gospels
• Pauline Studies
• Relational Theology
• Apologetics
• Pastoral Care
• Integrative Project (Dissertation)
• World Religions
• Old Testament Hebrew
• Person & Work of the Spirit
• Advanced New Testament Texts
• From Exodus to Exile
• The Modern Church
• Christian Ethics
• Islam
• Pastoral Leadership in the Contemporary Church
• Purity & Holiness: Ritual in the Old Testament

Theology Student Testimonials:

The Theology programme gave me a fantastic opportunity to explore the diversity and depth of the Christian faith. The faculty are not only brilliant in their delivery and support, but also show authentic care for the students, whilst learning together has been a wonderful experience.
The Theology here is not boxed in. They don’t give you the answers for you to memorise or to simply pass the exams. But here, you can ask the right questions which will really shape and challenge you in the way you approach the bible, and the way you love God.

Alistair
Programme Leader

LST is a place which is pursuing academic excellence, spiritual formation and costly service. It is easy to separate out these three things. But I find it exciting to work in an environment where we strive to hold them together in the knowledge that they are mutually reinforcing. This means that at LST we engage deeply with the leading scholarship in our respective disciplines, in a context of worship, prayer and mutual encouragement all with a view to witnessing to Christ in our world. That is something that I find exciting.

Read Alistair's Bio