The Christian Ministry and Formation Program (CMF) offers a Bachelor of Science major degree and a minor in Christian Ministry and Formation. As part of the degree, a student can select an elective minor and/or an elective ministry emphasis. 

Mission

The Christian Ministry and Formation Program seeks to exalt Christ, to form students in Christ, and to equip students for the ministry of Christ.

Vision

The program’s intent is to develop graduates who are qualified to work with children, youth, adults, and families in a variety of domestic, professional, and international venues such as churches, inner city ministries, camps, businesses, overseas missions, and parachurch organizations.

Program Values

• Christ-Centered Formation - We are committed to communicating the Gospel of Christ and supporting one another in our individual and collective journey towards fullness and formation in the likeness and image of Christ in all aspects of our being and doing.
• Collaborative Community - We are committed to cultivating a collaborative, interdependent teaching and learning community between faculty, students, and the Triune God; who is our master teacher.
• Interdisciplinary Integration - We intentionally integrate conceptual knowledge and practical skills, as well as Scripture, theology, and theories from across various disciplines in our study and practice of Christian ministry.
• Holistic Care - We foster a holistic redemptive approach to caring for each individual person, family, generation, and community, e.g. physical, intellectual, psychological, emotional, sociocultural, moral, and spiritual.
• Contextualized Ministry - We promote ministry practices that are compassionately driven, globally conscious, culturally intelligent, and contextually relevant.

Program Objectives

In accordance with the JBU institutional learning goals and outcomes, the Christian Ministry and Formation Program is committed to developing students in the core areas of spiritual formation, intellectual cultivation, and world impact.

1. The CMF Program will facilitate the personal, spiritual, and professional development of students through transformational learning and community.
2. The CMF Program will provide students with an integrative knowledge of God, people, and self, and equip students with intercultural competencies to minister to people across the lifespan.
3. The CMF Program will provide experiential opportunities for students to engage in ministry service and ministry practice.

Student Learning Outcomes

Spiritual Formation

• Christ-like Character: Students will demonstrate growth in their relationship with Christ and in their imitation of Christ’s character and ministry.
• God’s Calling: Students will clearly identify their ministry call, calling, and unique SHAPE (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, experiences) for ministry.

Intellectual Cultivation

• Specialized Knowledge: Students will develop foundational knowledge in Bible and theology, human formation and human brokenness, discipleship process and methods, multigenerational ministry, contextualized leadership and administration, and holistic care and guidance.
• Applied Knowledge: Students will demonstrate competence in exegeting and applying biblical passages, teaching and preaching biblical messages, relating with and discipling people of various generations, leading and administrating programs and events, and providing spiritual guidance and brief counseling to families and individuals across the lifespan.
• Information Literacy and Professional Contribution: Students will utilize independent research skills to conduct a capstone research project which will provide biblical and theoretical solutions to specific ministry problems.
• Collaborative Learning: Students will engage one another in critical reflection and learning through in-class discussions, group projects and presentations, self-assessments, and peer evaluations.

World Impact

• Healthy Relationships: Students will interact with and minister to one another relationally through in-class and out-of-class fellowship activities.
• Community Engagement: Students will serve in local faith communities and organizations through required service learning hours and a capstone ministry internship.

Assessment of Student Learning

Assessment of student learning and program effectiveness will occur through a program entry survey (administered freshman year), a program exit survey (administered senior year), in-class course assignments, internship evaluations, course reviews, and student feedback. An external survey of graduates from the Christian Ministry and Formation degree program will also be utilized to evaluate and improve program effectiveness.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with major in Christian Ministry and Formation