The Center for Missional & Pastoral
Leadership Formation

The Center was created in response to requests from congregations and church leaders for a quality, affordable, effective online degree program that would equip potential pastors and church workers for missional ministry in areas that are not currently being served. The focus is expanding mission activity through contextual learning, where students can apply what they learn directly to their ministry training setting. The desire is for a program that enables students to study while continuing their work and careers.

The Institute for Lutheran Theology is the perfect home for this program, with a highly respected and affordable M.Div. program, excellent faculty, an emphasis on speaking the Gospel into a post-Christian context, and almost 20 years of successful online education.

This program acknowledges the challenges of a post-Christian culture, preparing students to share the Gospel and the enduring truths of Scripture with a secularized world that may be skeptical. The curriculum includes courses in the traditional disciplines of Exegetical (Bible), Systematic, Historical, and Practical Theology. These courses are taught with a missiological lens, equipping students to understand their contexts and bring the Good News to their communities. Classes are conducted online, featuring weekly live sessions with instructors, supplemented by readings, videos, hands-on projects, and ministry training. The program is designed to accommodate students’ current employment and can be completed in about four years while gaining valuable experience in their home congregations.