Asbury Theological Seminary in Service to the Global Methodist Church
Asbury exists to serve the Church. As a confessional seminary whose motto is “the whole Bible for the whole world,” Asbury’s commitments to biblical authority and theological orthodoxy in the Wesleyan tradition have not changed in our 101-year history. The Asbury community embodies holistic practices that open each person to all of God’s transforming grace while offering outstanding courses with distinguished faculty. We also join global partners in countries like Colombia, India, and Cuba to help raise up indigenous leaders for multiplying disciples and churches around the world.
Asbury has four masters degree options for fulfilling the sixty hours of educational requirements for ordination as an elder in the Global Methodist Church. The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is approved by the GMC and provides a clear pathway for emerging GMC leaders. See the table below for a typical elder’s sequence. Students called to ordination as a long-term or permanent deacon will have more flexibility.
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
|
Book of Doctrines & Discipline Paragraph |
Equivalent Asbury Courses |
| ¶407.3.a | |
| Introduction to the OT
Introduction to the NT Christian Leadership Methodist Theology Methodist History Basics of Preaching |
OT520 Old Testament Introduction
NT520 New Testament Introduction CL605 Theology & Practice of Christian Leadership TH605 Methodist Doctrine & Polity CH605 Methodist History & Polity PR510 Introductory Preaching Skills |
| ¶407.3.b | |
| Pastoral Care
Worship & Sacraments Apologetics Evangelism & Missions |
PC510 Care of Persons
WO510 Theology & Practice of Worship TH501 Basic Christian Doctrine MS501 Missional Formation |
| ¶407.4.a | |
| History of Christianity I
History of Christianity II Church Administration Systematic Theology OT Elective NT Elective |
CH501 Church History I
CH502 Church History II CL618 Nonprofit & Ministry Management TH601 Theology of John Wesley OT or OT(IBS) Elective NT(IBS) 510 or 511 Inductive Bible Study (Matthew or Mark) |
| ¶407.4.b | |
| Theology Elective
Mission & Church Renewal Advanced Preaching Spiritual Formation |
CS601 Christian Ethics
MS708 World Religions & Mission PR610 The Theology & Practice of Preaching CD605 Gospel Catechesis |
In addition, a mentored ministry portfolio will be required that demonstrates the integration of course work into the practice of ministry.
The other GMC-approved degree options include Asbury’s MDIV+, the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and the Master of Arts in Theological Studies. For GMC leaders requiring the Course of Study, Asbury will launch its Course of Study program for the GMC in the 2024-25 academic year. Go to Asbury’s Global Methodist Church page to learn more about how Asbury serves GMC pastors and leaders.
**Please see HERE for more information about Asbury and the GMC. If you need to update your denominational affiliation, please do so HERE.
I would like to change my denominational affiliation. I was a UMC clergy. I am now a GMC clergy.
I am a GMC ordained elder, attempting to find the courses required by the GMC for completion of elder requirements. I finished the UMC course of study, prior to becoming an ordained elder in the GMC. I would like some help in finding my way to finding the classes that I am required to take. I keep finding dead ends. Looking forward to registering as soon as possible