Ministry & Leadership

A balanced dose of Biblical foundations, ministry philosophy, organizational leadership and practical skill development with a refreshing integrated learning approach.

Christian Leadership

In these times of rapid cultural and economic change, effective Christian leaders must be able to maintain focus on the mission, mobilize people in pursuit of that vision, and facilitate the execution of strategies that accomplish the mission. It's a tall order. It requires extraordinary leadership. The Christian Leadership program uses a dynamic integrated learning framework to equip leaders for real-time faith-driven skill development to meet that challenge in any organization and leadership role.

The purpose of ACU’s Christian Leadership program is to develop the core character and capacity to lead an organization that is anchored to its mission, that mobilizes an effective organizational team and equips them to accomplish the mission for which the organization exists within an organizational infrastructure that is well-tuned to accomplish that mission.

The Bachelor of Science program offers the opportunity to select a specialized concentration in Camp Ministry, Intercultural Ministry, Urban Ministry or Youth Ministry.

Program Highlights


  1. Exercise leadership that encourages and facilitates collaborative learning at all levels of the organization.
  2. Apply a solid understanding of organizations that creates and maintains a productive community of growth-oriented learners.
  3. Develop comprehensive strategies using skills in evaluation, adaptation, and integration of new and existing strategies for the efficient and effective pursuit of organizational goals.
  4. Recruit, develop, and mobilize staff and volunteers as effective teams.

What About You?

Since 2011, our Leadership students have applied our integrated approach to OVER 70 UNIQUE PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS (i.e. camping ministry, youth ministry, urban ministry, active duty military, public speaking, university administration, high school education, relief work, local church leadership, government, intercultural missions and more on four different continents. Our proprietary Learning Blueprint allows you to grow core leadership skills right where you are… applied to the specific challenges there.


As an overseas missionary in a leadership role,  the leadership degree was a perfect fit.  Rather than a 'one size fits all' approach to learning, the professor individualized the content for what I was currently facing. Rather than my studies pulling me away from ministry, they pulled me deeper into ministry. My life and ministry will never be the same.”

--Kyle (Missionary)

Bachelor (BS)

BS Christian Leadership | 120 CREDITS

A robust ministry leadership toolbox with a strong biblical foundation.  Tool up to bring competency and capacity in faith-driven leadership to any role in a range of purpose-driven organizations.


Curriculum
  • Biblical Studies Core | 30 Credits
    • BIB100 Principles of Bible Study
    • BIB110 Bible Survey
    • THE120 Foundations for Christian Living
    • THE211 Theology Survey
    • Bible/Theology Electives: 18 Credits
  • Arts & Sciences Core | 40 Credits
    • PHI110 Foundations of Worldviews
    • ENC100 Fundamentals of Written Communication
    • SPC040 Speech Communication
    • GLS220 World Religions
    • Humanities, History & Math/Science Electives
    • A&S Electives: 19 Credits
  • Ministry Leadership Foundations | 12 Credits
    • LDR301 Foundations of Leadership
    • MIN311 Personal Life of the Ministry Leader
    • MIN312 Family Life of the Ministry Leader
    • MIN320 Effective Bible Teaching
  • Professional Ministry Core | 18 Credits
    • MIN401 Dynamics of Discipleship
    • MIN402 Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership
    • MIN403 Principles of Ministry Strategy
    • MIN404 Developing Dynamic Teams
    • COM408 Organizational Communication
    • Professional Ministry Elective (LDR or MIN)
  • Ministry Concentration | 12 Credits*
  • Free Electives | 8 Credits*

*Select a ministry concentration (Camp, Intercultural, Urban or Youth) -or- Free Electives up to 20 credits.

Associate (AS)

AS Christian Leadership | 60 Credits

Leadership essentials compacted into a focused program.  Load up and go... the straightest line to our undergrad leadership toolbox, with built-in biblical skillset essentials.


Curriculum
  • Biblical Studies Core | 15 Credits
    • BIB100 Principles of Bible Study
    • BIB110 Bible Survey
    • THE120 Foundations for Christian Living
    • Bible/Theology Electives: 6 Credits
  • Arts & Sciences Core | 15 Credits
    • PHI110 Foundations of Worldviews
    • ENC100 Fundamentals of Written Communication
    • A&S Electives: 9 Credits
  • Ministry Leadership Foundations | 12 Credits
    • LDR301 Foundations of Leadership
    • MIN311 Personal Life of the Ministry Leader
    • MIN312 Family Life of the Ministry Leader
    • MIN320 Effective Bible Teaching
  • Professional Ministry Core | 18 Credits
    • MIN401 Dynamics of Discipleship
    • MIN402 Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership
    • MIN403 Principles of Ministry Strategy
    • MIN404 Developing Dynamic Teams
    • COM408 Organizational Communication
    • Professional Ministry Elective (LDR or MIN)

Masters (MA)

MA Christian Leadership | 30 CREDITS

Go pro in faith-driven leadership.  Flexible enough to weld into any current leadership context, the integrated approach provides instant ROI in your competency and capacity.


Curriculum
  • Biblical & Theology Core | 9 Credits
    • Any 3 masters-level Bible and/or Theology courses
  • Leadership Concentration | 21 Credits
    • LDR502 Organizations as Learning Communities
    • LDR503 Strategic Thinking
    • LDR504 Developing Dynamic Teams
    • COM508 Organizational Communication
    • Any 3 masters-level LDR courses
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