The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary requires students to remain actively involved in gospel ministry while pursuing formal theological training. MAP provides a direct avenue to wed rigorous academic study with supervised service in a local ministry context.
Three Integrative Seminars—Leadership, Outreach, and Proclamation—will be credited opportunities for students to earn M.Div., M.A., and B.A. elective hours through ministry apprenticeships. Partnering churches and para-churches that qualify with academic credentials can direct students in ministry and theological training.
MAP Purpose
To serve the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention by training, educating, and preparing ministers of the gospel for more faithful service by wedding rigorous academic study with supervised service in a local ministry context.
MAP Goals
Southern Seminary seeks to establish deepening connections with local churches and para-church organizations by partnering with them to increase church-based theological education, equipping servant leaders with invaluable local church experience. Each MAP seminar fulfills 3 Core Competencies:
Theological Equipping: Students will be able to demonstrate significant knowledge of the Bible, interpret Scripture’s original meaning, and apply Scripture to contemporary situations.
Practical Ministry Experience: Students will be able to display a biblical vision for ministry and lead with humble authority after observing and serving in an intensive mentorship situation.
Leadership Development: Students will be able to demonstrate a growing, Christ-like character and a sense of God’s calling to ministry.
MAP Sites
MAP Sites are churches or para-churches that partner in theological instruction with The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary “to prepare students for the task of the Great Commission ministry in local churches.” Affiliates partner with the Southern Seminary through MAP as an extension of the field education classes that integrates experiential learning, expert observation, and structured spiritual development with practical day-to-day ministry training. Students can earn a maximum of 18 elective credits through these three seminars.
MAP Supervisor
MAP Supervisors lead qualified MAP Affiliates and do not hold a doctoral level degree above a Masters of Divinity. They are, therefore, able to supervise ministerially students participating in the MAP program at the affiliate training site through a church or para-church mentorship.
MAP Site Requirements
A MAP Site must be willing to teach in accordance with and not contrary to Southern Seminary’s confessional documents: the Abstract of Principles (1859), the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).
A MAP Site must have read (or be reading) all of the assigned materials for class.
A MAP Site must commit to mentor students participating in the MAP program in weekly meetings and ministry throughout the duration of the seminar.
- To register as a MAP Partner please click here