Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Christian Ministries

Combine deep biblical training with practical ministry skills, leadership, and organizational management—all through a Biblical Worldview

120

Credit Hours

4-Year Program

Program Length

Campus

Format

16:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Bible + Business

Biblical studies paired with management, finance, and organizational leadership.

Ministry Technology

Dedicated coursework in technology tools for modern ministry.

Non-Profit Management

Learn to lead mission-driven organizations with professional competence.

Biblical Leadership

Develop your leadership philosophy grounded in Scripture and practical experience.

About the B.S. in Christian Ministries

ACU’s Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries is designed for students who want to serve in vocational ministry with both biblical depth and professional competence. Unlike a traditional Bible degree that focuses exclusively on theological study, this program intentionally integrates biblical training with the practical skills ministry leaders actually need: management, personal finance, business fundamentals, non-profit administration, communication, technology, and leadership.

The 39-credit academic core covers the full biblical spectrum—Old Testament survey (Genesis to Song of Solomon, Prophets), New Testament survey (Gospels, Acts to Revelation), and theology—alongside dedicated ministry courses in biblical leadership, ministry technology, communication and culture, and a Christian Ministries capstone. What makes this program distinctive is the business integration: you’ll take Introduction to Business, Principles of Management, Personal Money Management, and Management of Not-for-Profit Organizations alongside your biblical studies.

With 6 credits of upper-division BTS/CMI electives and 21 credits of general electives (enough to add a minor), you can customize the degree to match your specific ministry calling—whether that’s church planting, youth ministry, missions, non-profit leadership, or community development. This is a degree that takes the operational realities of ministry seriously, producing graduates who can lead, manage, communicate, and serve with both conviction and competence.

What You'll Learn

01

Biblical Foundation

Complete a thorough biblical survey covering the Old and New Testaments, theology, and biblical interpretation. Your ministry will be built on deep knowledge of Scripture, not just surface-level familiarity.

02

Ministry Leadership

Study biblical leadership principles and develop your leadership philosophy through the CMI 495 Biblical Leadership course. You'll learn to lead people, teams, and organizations with integrity and purpose.

03

Organizational Management

Master the fundamentals of business, management, personal finance, and non-profit administration. You'll graduate ready to handle budgets, lead staff, manage volunteers, and run the operational side of ministry.

04

Ministry Communication

Develop strategic communication skills through COM 370 Communication, Culture and the Christian Faith. You'll learn to communicate the gospel effectively across cultural contexts and through contemporary media.

05

Ministry Technology

Gain hands-on experience with the technology tools modern ministries rely on through CMI 310 Technology in Christian Ministry—from church management software to digital communication platforms.

Ministry Grounded in the Word

Ministry without deep biblical grounding is activity without direction. At ACU, the Christian Ministries program ensures that every practical skill you learn is rooted in Scripture and shaped by a Biblical Worldview. You'll develop the ability to lead, manage, and communicate—all within a framework of biblical conviction.

Leadership as Service

Leadership as Service

Ministry leaders who lead as servants build trust, develop others, and create lasting organizational health.

Stewardship of Resources

Learn personal finance and organizational management as forms of biblical stewardship. You'll develop the skills to manage ministry budgets, fundraise with integrity, and make responsible financial decisions.

Ministry leaders who manage resources well earn the trust of donors, boards, and the communities they serve.

Communication & Culture

Explore how the gospel intersects with culture through COM 370 Communication, Culture and the Christian Faith. You'll learn to communicate biblical truth in ways that are culturally informed, relevant, and faithful.

Ministers who understand cultural dynamics communicate the gospel more effectively across diverse communities.

Non-Profit as Mission

Study non-profit management as an extension of biblical mission. You'll learn that managing a ministry organization well is itself an act of faithfulness—not just a necessary administrative burden.

Non-profit leaders who see organizational excellence as mission build organizations that last and make a genuine difference.

Where This Degree Takes You

Christian Ministries graduates serve in churches, non-profits, missions organizations, parachurch ministries, and community development settings. The unique combination of biblical training and organizational management skills makes you ready to lead from day one—not just spiritually, but operationally.

Pastor / Church Planter

Lead a church or plant a new congregation with both biblical depth and practical ministry skills.

Non-Profit Executive Director

Lead a faith-based or community non-profit organization, managing programs, staff, and fundraising.

Youth / College Pastor

Lead next-generation ministry with biblical teaching skills and organizational competence.

Missionary

Serve cross-culturally with the biblical, communication, and management skills to launch and sustain ministry.

Church Operations Manager

Oversee the operational and administrative functions of a church—staff, budgets, facilities, and technology.

Parachurch Ministry Leader

Lead or serve in organizations like Young Life, FCA, Cru, or similar parachurch ministries.

Community Development Director

Lead community-focused programs that address social needs through a faith-based framework.

Seminary / Graduate Study

Pursue an M.Div., M.A. in Christian Leadership, or related graduate degree.

Learn From Experts Who Care

Ministry is more than good intentions. It requires biblical depth, leadership skill, organizational competence, and the ability to communicate across cultural contexts. Our Christian Ministries program is designed to build all of that—not in isolation, but integrated together the way ministry actually works in the real world.

You’ll study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. You’ll take theology. But you’ll also learn management, personal finance, non-profit administration, ministry technology, and strategic communication. That combination is what sets our graduates apart. They can preach a sermon and manage a budget. They can lead a team and navigate a board meeting. They can cast a vision and execute it.

Whether you’re headed into pastoral ministry, church planting, non-profit leadership, missions, or community development, this degree prepares you to serve with both conviction and professional competence. That’s what the church needs.

Al Fadi, M.Div.

Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies

Why Students Choose Christian Ministries at ACU

For students who want to serve in vocational ministry with both biblical depth and professional competence.

Bible + Business Integration

The only ACU program that intentionally pairs deep biblical studies with business fundamentals, management, and financial literacy in a single major.

Biblical Leadership

Dedicated coursework in biblical leadership develops your philosophy of ministry and equips you to lead people and organizations.

Non-Profit Management

MGT 442 teaches you the specific skills needed to run a mission-driven organization—governance, fundraising, and program evaluation.

Ministry Technology

CMI 310 gives you hands-on experience with the technology tools modern churches and ministries depend on.

Communication & Culture

COM 370 develops your ability to communicate the gospel effectively across cultural contexts and through contemporary media.

Financial Literacy

Personal Money Management and Introduction to Business ensure you can handle both personal and organizational finances responsibly.

21 Credits of Electives

Room to add a minor, pursue additional ministry training, or explore a complementary field like counseling or education.

Capstone Experience

The Christian Ministries Capstone integrates everything you've learned into a comprehensive ministry plan.

Student Stories

Ready to Serve?

Take the next step toward a ministry education that builds your biblical knowledge, leadership skills, and organizational competence.