M.Div. with International Church Planting The International Church Planting (M.Div. -ICP) is a specialized 90 hour degree track offered by Southeastern in partnership with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (IMB). The M.Div. -ICP combines a campus-based curriculum with a term of field service where academics are applied in an international church planting context. The campus curriculum can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students may opt for a two-year or three-year assignment with the IMB to complete the field curriculum. Selection into the International Church Planting program is contingent upon acceptance by Southeastern and the IMB, and consideration is given to the number of applicants that may be deployed to the designated field site in a given year. Once accepted by Southeastern, students and their spouses enter the application process for service with the IMB. Those opting for a two-year term will apply for the IMB’s International Service Corps, and those anticipating future career service are encouraged to apply for the three-year Career Apprenticeship. More information on these requirements is available from the Lewis A. Drummond Center for Great Commission Studies on Southeastern’s campus.
Curriculum Design Students complete 63 hours of campus-based course work, including the 51-hour M.Div. -ICP core, while working through the IMB application process. Upon completion of the campus curriculum and IMB approval, students are deployed as a group to their overseas assignment within the region mutually designated by Southeastern and the IMB. The IMB provides the laboratory wherein students learn how to plant churches by actually serving as church planters. Southeastern professors travel to the field to teach modular courses, and students complete practicum courses under the supervision of experienced church planters, gifted nationals, and proficient language coordinators. M.Div. -ICP students earn their degree while acquiring language skills, developing cross-culturally effective lifestyles, and planting churches among the least reached peoples of the world. Students must complete both the campus and field curriculum with a GPA of 2.0 or better. The student who successfully completes the M.Div. -ICP is an equipped and experienced church planter who may apply for career status with the IMB.
Degree Requirements In addition to the M.Div. Core*, students specializing in International Church Planting must complete the following courses:
Campus Curriculum
63
**M.Div. Core with the exception of MIS5100 Christian Missions and one biblical language. The student may take MIS5100 Christian Missions of campus but it is recommended to earn this credit through the IMB Orientation (see Field Curriculum). **For this degree, students choose either Hebrew or Greek. MIS 7611 Linguistic Practicum fulfills the remaining language requirement. I.C.P. Track MIS6570 Global and Cultural Studies: (pertinent geographical region) MIS6520 Anthropology for Missionaries MIS6590 International Church Planting MIS7870 Contextualization
Field Curriculum **MIS5100 Christian Missions completed by attending IMB Orientation (FPO) and completing additional academic requirements. ** Field-based courses fulfill the supervised ministry requirement for this M.Div. degree. Modular Courses (taught by Southeastern faculty on the field during the J-term) MIS7510 Cross-Cultural Communication MIS6970 Current Topics in International Missions Practicum Courses (under IMB mentorship) MIS7611 Linguistic Practicum MIS7671 Practicum in International Church Planting I MIS7672 Practicum in International Church Planting II
Total Hours
9 3 3 3 3
27
6 3 3 18 6 6 6
90
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | Academic Catalog 2011–2012 | SEBTS Graduate Degree Programs | 105