The Center for Christian Ministry Studies (CCMS) is a ministry training center whose vision is to meet a critical need in churches today: to prepare visionary leaders for the ministry- men and women who are thoroughly committed to Christian values and biblical authority, and equipped and mentored to succeed in real-world ministry. This program is designed for students who sense or desire to explore a call to Christian Ministry and desire to serve in a local church, denominational setting, parachurch or faith-based organization. It is also beneficial for students who want a thorough knowledge of the Bible, theology, and practical ministry training as preparation for seminary or graduate study.

Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies with a concentration in one of the following six areas: Pastoral Ministry, Youth Ministry, Missions and Social Justice, Worship Arts, Nonprofit Administration, and Recreation and Leisure Studies Management.

A major in CMS requires 128 semester hours, as listed in the Lindenwood University Catalogue, divided as follows:

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Pastoral Ministry Concentration:
  • 46 Hours Pastoral Ministry Concentration Core Courses
  • 9 Hours Pastoral Ministry Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Youth Ministry Concentration:
  • 43 Hours Youth Ministry Studies Core Courses
  • 12 Hours Youth Ministry Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Mission and Social Justice Concentration:
  • 43 Hours Mission and Social Justice Core Courses
  • 12 Hours Mission and Social Justice Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Worship Arts Concentration:
  • 46 Hours Mission and Social Justice Core Courses
  • 9 Hours Mission and Social Justice Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Nonprofit Administration (NPA) Concentration:
  • 43 Hours Mission and Social Justice Core Courses
  • 12 Hours Mission and Social Justice Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies, Recreation and Leisure Services Management (RLS) Concentration:
  • 43 Hours Mission and Social Justice Core Courses
  • 12 Hours Mission and Social Justice Concentration Elective Courses
  • General Education Courses (see Lindenwood University Catalogue)
  • General (unrestricted) Elective Courses

By offering the Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministry Studies through Lindenwood University, CCMS is able to make the university's vast education resources- including its impressive faculty- available to the student entering its program. Students are exposed to a variety of worldviews and lifestyles - just like the world in which they will soon be ministering - and yet are guided through the educational process by instructors committed to a high view of Scripture and personal Christian experience. CCMS instructors teach within a framework of historic Christian doctrine.

CCMS leadership realizes that each faith tradition has it own unique expectations for ministry training, as well as its own perspectives and distinctives. To address this reality, the CCMS program includes two vital components:

. Curriculum: CCMS classes dealing with issues or doctrines that are denomination-specific will be taught by instructors or guest lecturers able to represent the positions held by the student's own tradition. This enables the student not only to understand the convictions of his own denomination, but also those of others in the Christian community.

. Internship: Students will intern under the supervision of a minister from his or her own denominational background. This ensures that values and distinctives held by the student's own church are transferred to the next generation of leaders.

CCMS-Discipleship Institute offers certificate credit toward a five-course certificate in one of five concentrations, including Theological, Youth Ministry, Discipleship Training, Mission and Social Justice, and Worship Ministry concentration. These courses are suitable for lay persons or staff serving in local churches who wish to advance their theological knowledge and proficiency within his or her area of interest. CCMS-Discipleship Institute courses are identical to CMS courses taken for academic credit, but are offered at a lower cost. Many of these courses will be offered in local churches in the evenings. Contact the CCMS office for information, including a list of available courses and times.

If you would like more information about CCMS and the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Studies degree program, or would like to receive a schedule of classes to be offered, call Dr. Steve House, CCMS On-Campus Director, at 636-949-4889, or email him at shouse@lindenwood.edu.