ENGAGE your Ministry Calling
Immerse MABL
Northview’s Immerse MA in Biblical Leadership is a fully accredited graduate-level program. Degrees are conferred conjointly by Northwest Seminary and MB Biblical Seminary. The program is designed to enable recognized lay and vocational ministry leaders to engage their ministry calling. Learners will progress in the journey of spiritual formation, and begin to clarify their calling, gifting and capacity for ministry leadership. The MABL program will emphasize the framing of Northview Theological foundations, developing Northview Biblical foundations and initiating Northview’s vision and value priorities – laying a solid foundation for faithful ministry practice. As such, it represents the core platform for effective lay leadership in Northview’s various ministries, and/or builds an appropriate foundation for some types of vocational ministry (i.e., children’s, youth, young adult, worship, etc.) and is the intended pathway for progressing into the Immerse MDIV program. The MABL degree can be stand-alone, and an offramp for degree completion, or part of the discernment and recognition of vocational pastoral leadership calling.
Immerse MABL Roles
Department Intern
The Immerse ‘Department Intern’ role provides learners the opportunity to pursue the MABL degree within the framework of the Immerse context and competency-based (CBTE) philosophy. The Immerse Department Intern role includes an accompanying employment role and contract tied to their program expectations.
Candidate
• Minimum Entry Requirements: completed Bachelor's Degree with a minimum 2.50 GPA.
• Alternate Pathways: incomplete Bachelor Degrees meeting minimum program entry requirements with demonstrating the ability for a competency-based program.
• Candidate: Men & women who are engaging calls to lay leadership and/or vocational ministry and are seeking to discern and focus God’s call in their lives.
Commitment
• 2 year Degree Program
• Department Interns: 20+ hrs/wk in student learning objectives, 15 hrs/wk in assigned ministry department, and 10 hrs/wk in general ministry responsibility.
Cost
• Student Fees: $3000 annually
• Additional Tuition Fees and Expenses are fully subsidized by Northview Leadership Development
Compelling Communication
Students will refine their ability to communicate (orally, verbally, electronically, etc) God’s Word in God’s world with convictional knowledge, Christ-like character, and skillful competence in order to bridge barriers of understanding and maximize Christological clarity.
Instructional Components
Most Ministry Leadership Outcomes will include a 7-week instructional seminar, meeting one day per week for 1.5 hours per session. While shorter than a traditional semester, these courses will be a catalyst for learning from a seasoned instructor and among peers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The applications are open from the 5th of November 2023 to the 31st of January 2024.
Competency-Based Theological Education (CBTE), at its heart, seeks to successfully prepare students for this unique combination of theological proficiency and practical, ministerial care.
In CBTE, much of a student’s time is spent in the church working alongside other pastors and engaging in the real work of ministry. Assignments have a direct connection to a student’s work within the local church and, in addition, they are taught how to take their theological knowledge and communicate it effectively through their preaching and teaching. Through ongoing mentorship, involvement in the inner workings of ministry, and the numerous opportunities to develop and hone skills, CBTE provides an ideal environment in which students can become fully equipped leaders within the church.
One of the unique characteristics of CBTE is its ability to address the development of character alongside growth in knowledge and skill. This characteristic is captured in the Immerse program utilizing the language of convictional knowledge, skillful competence and Christ-like character.
LEAD is a clarifying acronym of the educational integration of this competency-based model:
L – Learn (about) (convictional knowledge)
E – Embrace (with heart) (Christ-like character)
A – Apply (in life) (skillful competence in general)
D – Disciple (others) (skillful competence in leading others) -> Mastery Observed
Northview’s CBTE programs are rooted in Scripture. Therefore, students will incorporate God’s Word as the central basis upon which they build. Students will master the appropriate tools for constructing structures to support effective life and ministry. By doing this it is expected that students will determine the passages of the Bible that are applicable to the given situation (MLOs/ODAs) and will evaluate everything (including other readings) through the lens of Scripture.
Find a more detailed description of what CBTE is HERE
Our goal is to accomplish the application process in the least number of steps for prospective candidates while also providing adequate information about the program itself. The following outlines the 3 steps–before you apply, applying, and after you apply–of the application process.
Before you apply, we ask that you attend a 1-hour Immerse Info Session. The intent of the info session is to provide you with an introduction to the Immerse program. We see this as part of the discernment process–understanding what the Immerse program is helps you determine if it is a fit for your own career goals. This session will cover the following areas:
- What Immerse is,
- How we accomplish the learning outcomes,
- The vision for Immerse,
- What you can expect from participating, and
- An explanation of the application process.
Info Sessions are held twice a year–one in October and one in January.
Application packages are made available following the info session.
Applications are accepted between October 1–January 30. The written application package includes a 2-part questionnaire, a DISC Assessment, a signed Participant Agreement, 4 reference letters, a curriculum vitae with a cover letter, and a sample of your written work.
In February, after the application deadline, applicants will be invited to an Entry Assessment where they will participate in group activities and have a personal interview.
Applicants will be notified by April 30 regarding their acceptance into the program.
All applicants must meet the entry requirements of Northwest Baptist Seminary students. Their website states the following: “As a fully-accredited Masters of Divinity program, Immerse has a number of academic requirements for entry into the program. Additionally, as an immersive, context-based program, the student must meet other requirements related to their ministry-context and affirmation of the network partner that runs their iteration [see above for the Northview application requirements].
These requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree with a 2.50 GPA (or 60 undergrad credits with a 2.50 GPA)
- Employment (or potential) in your ministry context
- Support and endorsement from your ministry leadership team
- Approval from your network/denomination leadership”
Immerse offers a unique approach to learning through hands-on ministry experience that in combination with classroom learning prepares pastors for vocational ministry in the local church.
Based on the flexible structure of the Immerse Program, students with different career aspirations (Church Planting, Missionary, Pastor, etc) will find this MDiv degree adaptable to their long-term goals. The core curriculum will remain the same for all students but certain assignments may be adjusted to fit the individual’s ministry goals.
If you have a desire to specialize, we recommend that you begin conversations with our Immerse team to see what arrangements can be made and if the Immerse program is a suitable fit for your ministry goals.
Please visit Northwest Baptist Seminary’s website for more information regarding costs. Northview assists with tuition costs and helps cover book and resource expenses.
Applicants are responsible for their own living arrangements, food, transportation, and other personal bills/expenses.