Online Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership

Some people feel that they are born with a higher calling in life. Earning an online Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership can be an important step toward fulfilling such a calling. An accredited online master’s degree in Christian leadership is a natural continuation of an online bachelor’s degree in Christian leadership, and prepares students to take on various leadership roles in the church and in the community. An online master’s in Christian leadership is not only applicable to a career in ministry, as the degree can prepare students for vocations in counseling, education, missionary work and beyond.

Online Master’s Degrees in Christian Leadership Requirements

The most important qualities for students enrolling in online master’s degree programs in Christian leadership are compassion, patience, a desire to teach and lead others, and a belief in spreading God’s word. The best online master’s degree programs in Christian leadership will help the student’s natural talent blossom so that he or she may become a community leader.

Most online master’s degree Christian leadership students already have a bachelor’s degree in related fields. For example:

• Christian Counseling
• Christian Social Work
• Christian Education
• Ministry
• Theology

It is not uncommon to find online school students studying for a masters in Christian leadership who already have plenty of working experience as counselors, lay ministers, social workers, or in other related careers.

All students interested in an online Ph.D in Christian Leadership must first earn a master’s degree in Christian leadership.

Online Christian Leadership Master’s Degree Education

Online master’s degree programs in Christian leadership typically take 2 to 3 years for completion. The types of Christian leadership degrees offered by the best Christian leadership master’s programs online include:

• Master of Science in Christian Leadership (MS in Christian Leadership)
• Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (MA in Christian Leadership)

Information on Christian Leadership Courses

Accredited online master’s programs in Christian leadership feature courses designed to prepare students for a life of service and leadership. The courses focus not only on the content of the Bible’s teachings, but on how to translate it into everyday life.

• Foundations of Leadership
  Every leader has to start somewhere. This class focuses on the basics of leading a life of integrity and character.
• Church History
  From the creation of the world to the present day, the Christian church’s history is examined in this course.
• Research and Writing in Christian Leadership
  An essential part of being a church leader is effective communication. This class will help the student develop effective research techniques and persuasive writing skills.
• Vocation of Ministry
  This course prepares the student for a lifetime of service by examining the issues present in both historical and contemporary ministry vocation settings. By the end of the course, the student understands how to develop his or her own ministry philosophy.
• Christian Theology
  Any top online master’s in Christian Leadership has to include theology classes. In these courses, students study the science of God and the impact that religion has on the world.

Specializations and Concentrations

Because Christian leadership is a broad field, in order to become an expert in a specific niche, some online master’s Christian leadership students will pursue specialties or concentrations in areas such as:

• Family Ministry
• Marriage Ministry
• Urban Leadership
• Youth Ministry
• Inter-Cultural Ministry

Careers in Christian Leadership

Graduates of Christian leadership master’s programs online can look forward to rewarding careers including:

• Lay Pastor
  A lay pastor typically leads one ministry within a church, unlike an ordained pastor who is called to lead the church as a whole. A lay pastor can expect to earn an average yearly salary of $32,300. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that demand for religious workers like lay pastors will increase slightly over the next decade.
• School Counselor
  Private Christian schools employ religious counselors who are able to counsel students on matters of faith. A counselor with an online master’s degree in Christian leadership can earn an average of $61,000 in elementary or secondary schools, or an average of $49,000 in a college setting. The demand for this field will continue to grow as older counselors retire.
• Rehabilitation Counselor
  Rehabilitation counselors provide support and guidance as people struggle through the difficulties that arise from accidents, addictions, illnesses and emotional problems. In a private facility, rehabilitation counselors with online master’s degrees in Christian leadership can expect to earn an average annual salary of $29,220. The job growth for this industry is expected to be slow but steady over the next ten years.
• Politics
  From local to federal government, many of America’s leaders have shared a history in Christian studies. Because of the extremely wide variety of jobs in politics, pay can vary from around $30,000 per year to well over $200,000 per year. The political sector is projected to experience little to no growth in the next ten years.

Christian leadership is about much more than religious studies. Online masters degrees in Christian leadership can teach students how to live beneficial lives serving others while fulfilling their personal mission to serve God.