BA Christian Ministry

Purpose

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry (BACM) is designed for individuals who have a minimum of two years full-time ministry experience or five years of active lay-ministry experience. The BACM is designed to develop the individual’s biblical and theological knowledge, encourage spiritual and character growth, and deepen the person’s convictions and ministry skills. 

Target Group

The BACM is appropriate for adults with proven ministry experience who serve in contexts where a Bachelor’s degree would enhance their ministry.  A minimum of two years full-time or five years of active lay-ministry is required prior to admission.  Graduates from the BACM program serve as pastors, cross-cultural missionaries, church staff members, and as Christian educators.

Admissions Requirements

The individual applying for the BACM must follow the usual EAST application process and meet the BACM admissions standards. Both are stated in the “Admissions” section of this Prospectus. Additional admissions information for international students is explained in the “International Students” section of the Prospectus. 

Program Explanation

The BACM program includes 15 credits of Foundation Subjects. These allow mature learners with ministry experience to reflect upon and document prior learning. 

The BACM varies in length depending on the individual’s educational background. If an individual has completed post-secondary studies (such as ‘A’ Levels or Polytechnic) then the person should apply for the 92 credit-hour program. This program is offered at the resident school in Singapore. If an applicant has not completed post-secondary studies, the individual should apply for the 120 credit-hour BACM. This program is offered at extension locations. 

EAST Aleph

(Summer)

 Introduction to LF420 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking  

(continued during semester)

 1 (of 3 cr)
IS400 Evangelism and Follow Up Seminar NC
1st Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
LF420 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking  

(continued from EAST Aleph)

 2 (of 3 cr) BS413 Biblical Foundations 2

OR

TS410 Theological Foundations

 3
LF510 Christian Leadership Foundations   3 TS532 Spiritual Life and Transformation 3
IS501 Building Spiritual Movements  3 LF560 Christian Marriage and Family in Asia 3
IS409 Missions Foundations

OR

BS412 Biblical Foundations 1

 3 Foundation Subject #2 3
Foundation Subject #1 3 Foundation Subject #3 3
LF570 Mentoring Group 1 1 LF570 Mentoring Group 2 1
TOTAL 15 TOTAL 16
EAST Aleph (Summer) LF500 Research and Writing for Christian Leadership  

2

(see footnote)
2nd Year 1st Semester 2nd Semester
BS510 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics 3 OT510 Old Testament Narratives 3
TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making

OR

IS520 Contextualisation

 2 BS413 Biblical Foundations 2

OR

TS410 Theological Foundations

 3
Emphasis Course 3 IS510 World Missions 2
IS409 Missions Foundations

OR

BS412 Biblical Foundations 1

 3 LF580 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 1 1

(see footnote)
Foundation Subject #4 3 Foundation Subject #5 3
LF570 Mentoring Group 3 1 LF570 Mentoring Group 4 1
TOTAL 15 TOTAL 13
Summer LF581 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 2 2
3rd Year 1st Semester (see footnote) 2nd Semester
TS510 Theology 1 3 TS511 Theology 2 3
OT511 Old Testament Poetry, Wisdom and Prophets 3 NT511 New Testament Epistles and Revelation 3
NT510 New Testament Narratives  3 Emphasis Course 3
Emphasis Course 3
LF530 Teaching and Learning 1 

OR

LF555 Expository Preaching 1

 2 Emphasis Course 3
LF582 Field Practicum & FIRM 1 – one credit per semester 2
TOTAL 15 TOTAL 13

Emphasis Courses

Based on the student’s area of interest, twelve (12) credits of emphasis courses may be selected from courses offered in biblical studies (BS, OT, NT), theological studies (TS), intercultural studies (IS), as well as leadership and formation (LF).

Foundation Subjects

BACM students may select up to a maximum of five (5) Foundation Subjects. To complete a Foundation Subject, the student will be required to reflect on and document previous ministry experience. It is recommended that the student select the first two Foundation Subjects from subjects with an asterisk (*).

IS402  Evangelism* (3 credits)

IS403  Discipleship* (3 credits)

LF405  Personal Development* (3 credits)

LF406  Christian Service* (3 credits)

LF407  Specialized Ministries (3 credits)

LF408 Fund Raising (3 credits)

LF410  Ministry Development and Leadership (3 credits)

LF430  Leading and Teaching Groups (3 credits)

TS430 Spiritual Life and Growth* (3 credits)

TS431 Prayer and Christian Disciplines* (3 credits)

Course Description Information

For further information and description of each of the BACM courses, refer to the appropriate section of the “Course Descriptions” section of this Prospectus.

Distribution Requirements 

Biblical Studies (BS, OT, NT)                                                               21 credits

BS412, BS413, BS510, OT510, OT511, NT510, NT511

Intercultural Studies (IS)                                                                      8 or 10 credits* 

IS400, IS409, IS501, IS510, IS520*

Leadership Studies (LF)                                                                      13 credits

LF420, LF500, LF510, LF560, LF530 or LF555

Formation (LF)                                                                                      9 credits

LF570, LF580, LF581, LF582 

Theological Studies (TS)                                                                      12 or 14 credits* 

TS410, TS510, TS511, TS532, TS560*

Foundation Subjects                                                                             15 credits

Christian Ministry Emphasis Courses                                                   12 credits

                                                                                                              92 credits

* Distribution within Intercultural Studies and Theological Studies will vary as the student selects either TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making or IS520 Contextualisation

Time Limit for Degree Completion

A student has a maximum of seven (7) years to complete a BACM from the date of matriculation at EAST. 

Graduation Requirements

The following are requirements in order to graduate with a BACM:

  • Completion of all classwork (92 credits) with a grade of C- or higher
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher
  • Demonstrate character and ministry skills appropriate for an EAST graduate
  • Approval by the faculty
  • Payment of all fees

[1] APPLICANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED POST-SECONDARY STUDIES: Mature adult applicants with ministry experience who have completed A level or O-level plus a post-secondary school diploma (such as Polytechnic) can apply for the 92-credit BACM program at the resident school in Singapore.

[2] APPLICANTS WITH HIGH SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATES: Mature adult applicants with ministry experience who hold high school leaving certificates are eligible to apply for the 120-credit BACM progrm. This degree program is offered at selected extension locations.  Contact the EAST Dean of Extensions for further information.

[3] Three Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of LF500 Research and Writing for Christian Leadership.

[4] Four Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of LF580 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 1.

[5] Five Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of the fifth semester of classes.