Master in Urban Ministry (MUM: 34 credit hours)
With the world rapidly urbanizing, cities are our future. This means we need to train and equip Christians for effective and innovative ministry in complex urban societies. This degree program offered through Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) and RADIUS Initiatives is designed to equip those interested in innovative urban ministries and urban church planting and leadership. The MUM degree is 34 credits with prerequisite academic requirements. Through a blend of theoretical and experiential learning, students will be equipped to engage our growing cities in ministry.
*Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor of Theology degree or its equivalent may be required to take an additional 26 credit hours in the areas of Bible, theology, church history, and biblical interpretation (see below). Students can complete these subjects online or in person with MBTS either before, after, or concurrently with the online Intercultural Studies courses (total of 60 credit hours).
Major Courses
| Introduction to Missions | 3 credits |
| Urban Missions in the Asian Context | 3 credits |
| Community-Based Development | 3 credits |
| Research in the Urban Contexts | 2 credits |
| Capstone Project | 4 credits |
| City to City/GCN Incubator | 4 credits |
| 15 credits | |
| Missions electives (5x) | Total for MUM Major: 34 credits |
| Introduction to OT I & II | 4 credits (2 credits each course) |
| Introduction to NT | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Biblical Interpretation | 3 credits |
| Christian Theology I, II, III (choose 2 of 3) | 4 credits (2 credits each course) |
| Church History I or II | 3 credits |
| OT book | 3 credits |
| NT book | 3 credits |
| Elective | 3 credits |
| Total 26 credits |
Foundation Courses
(for those without a B.Th. or equivalent)
Major Course Descriptions
1. City to City Incubator (4 credits)
o The Incubator gospel centered basic church planting training.
o For those not able to join the City to City Incubator, courses in line with the student’s ministry purposes can be substituted equaling 4 credits. Substitute courses might include church planting courses or church ministry courses.
2. Urban Mission in the Asian Context (3 credits)
Over half of the world’s population lives in cities. As such, cities are a priority in missions. Emphasizing the Asian context, this course seeks to develop an understanding of cities, urban trends, and how students can engage cities with the gospel.
3. Community-Based Development/Community Transformation Elective (3 credits)
This class will help the student understand the biblical and theological basis for holistic community transformation in the ministry setting of the student. There is a focus on basic missiological principles in order to develop a mission strategy in their context that is community-based, sustainable, and transformative.
Depending on the student’s particular ministry calling, the student may choose one of these courses for partial fulfillment of the MUM degree: Pastoral Counseling or Peacebuilding and Conflict Management.
4. Counseling Elective
(3 credits)
The student can select from any of the courses offered
5. Missions/Intercultural Studies Elective (3 credits)
We cannot minister effectively if we don’t know and understand our ministry context. This course is tied with the capstone project, as the student will develop urban research skills for the sake of greater ministry impact.
6. Research in an Urban Context (2 credits)
The capstone project is intended to demonstrate the student’s comprehensive learning in the MUM through one of two options:
1. Practicum with written analytical report- The student will volunteer or work at an urban ministry for 6 months based on approval from the student’s academic supervisor. Following this practicum at an urban ministry, the student will produce a written report (25-30 pages) and analysis based on the practicum. Written report should include student’s research and reflection based other classes.
2. Research paper- The student will undertake extensive research on a topic relevant to urban ministry based on approval from the student’s academic supervisor. This research should include original research in the student’s ministry context as well as extensive research through other sources. This research paper (35-40 pages) should demonstrate the student’s grasp of complex urban issues, research skills, and application-oriented reflection.
7. Capstone Project
(4 credits)
For more information contact us at tothecity@psmail.net or michaelcrane@radiusinitiatives.com