Program Summary:
Based on the premise that ministry involves both a revealed content for ministry and a human context of ministry, The Journey seeks to equip Christian leaders like you in ...
#1 Acquiring a structured grasp of the biblical and theological resources, balanced with an understanding of how this revealed material has been understood by thoughtful people of God throughout the theological tradition.
#2 Developing leadership and ministry skills, along with cultural sensitivity and the capacity to equip others with such skills ensuring that the church remains a spiritually responsive, unified community able to fulfill her God- given mission on earth.

Reflecting these two purposes, The Journey offers a selection of courses in four major areas – Biblical Studies (designated BI), Theology (designated TH), Ministry Leadership (designated ML), and Applied Theology (designated AT). Each course is derived from an equivalent offered at ACTS, with some adaptations to the Edmonton site.

What about accreditation? Since The Journey functions as an extension of the participating ACTS-member seminaries, it is not in itself, an accredited institution. However, all courses are reviewed by the seminaries and approved for transfer, thus assuring they meet ATS standards. Admission to a program and graduation requirements are the same as those used by ACTS. Students completing a full program at The Journey (30 semester hours of credits) will be granted a Diploma in Christian Studies. The diploma program can be completed over a two year cycle (five courses per year). Students completing this could apply to ACTS for further studies. (For example, a student could complete the MACS degree by doing an additional 21 semester hours of credit.) Of course, at any time, a student at The Journey may apply to an ACTS program, or take ACTS courses.

What if I don’t meet the regular admission requirements? If you have at least a little post-secondary educational background, and believe that you are able to do graduate level study, you are welcome to apply and take whatever individual courses you choose. This is a great way to “try out” and see whether a full seminary program is for you. After completing courses at The Journey, you may well choose to apply for a program leading to a degree, whether at ACTS or another school.



Core component One – Ministry, Communication And Leadership Skills

ML 500 (equiv CLD 510) Ministry Leadership Foundations
ML 501 (equiv CLD 531) Ministry Leadership and Spiritual Formation
ML 502 (equiv CLD 532) Ministry Leadership amid Power, Change and Conflict

AT 500 (equiv PTH 600) Essentials of Pastoral Ministry
AT 501 (equiv PTH 603) Communication and Sermon Preparation
AT 502 (equiv THS 680) Christianity and Culture
AT 503 (equiv PTH 630) Growing a Healthy Church
AT 510 (equiv PTH 605) Introduction to Pastoral Counselling
AT 520 (equiv. CAP 560) Challenges to Christianity

Core component Two – Biblical Studies, Theology, And Spiritual Formation.

TH 500 (equiv THS 540) Introduction to Theology
TH 501 (equiv THS 571) Believer’s Church Theology

BI 500 (equiv BIE 500) Introduction to the Bible
BI 501 (equiv BIE 505) Understanding the Bible; Essentials of Hermeneutics and Exegesis
BI 510 (equiv BIE 604) Understanding and Teaching Genesis
BI 514 (equiv BIE 612) Understanding and Teaching Psalms
BI 515 (equiv BIE 609) Understanding and Teaching Isaiah
BI 521 (equiv BIE 714) Understanding and Teaching Mark
BI 523 (equiv BIE 720) Understanding and Teaching Acts
BI 525 (equiv BIE 706) Understanding and Teaching Romans



Calendar (tentative)
A typical “full program” for a student wishing to complete the diploma in two years would be five or six courses, for a total of fifteen credit hours. Note that TH 500 and BI 500 are two credit hour courses, whereas all others earn three credit hours.

Year 1
September – December (Fall 2008) – (register prior to Sept 15, module week Oct 20-24, completion of course work by Nov 28)
BI 500 (equiv BIE 500) Introduction to the Bible
AT 501 (equiv PTH 603) Communication and Sermon Preparation; Part 1

January – April 2009 (Spring 2009) (register prior to Jan 15, module weeks Feb 9-13, 16-20, completion of course work by Apr 3)
ML 500 (equiv CLD 510) Ministry Leadership Foundations (Feb 9-13)
TH 500 (equiv THS 540) Introduction to Theology (Feb 16-18)
AT 501 (equiv PTH 603) Communication and Sermon Preparation; Part 2 (Feb 19-20)

May – August 2009 (Summer 2009) (register prior to May 15, completion of course work by Jul 31)
ML 501 (equiv CLD 531) Ministry Leadership and Spiritual Formation


Year 2
September – December – Fall 2009 (register prior to Sept 15, completion of work by Nov 30)
CL 502 (equiv CLD 532) Ministry Leadership amid Power, Change and Conflict
AT 502 (equiv THS 680) Christianity and Culture


January – April – Spring 2010 (register prior to Jan 15)
BI 500 (equiv BIE 500) Introduction to the Bible
AT 510 (equiv PTH 605) Introduction to Pastoral Counselling


May to August – Summer 2010 (register prior to May 15)
AT 503 (equiv PTH 630) Growing a Healthy Church


Course cycle chart

** All courses offered are subject to change