BTS - Master of Arts - Biblical Conflict Resolution

Birmingham Theological Seminary, in cooperation with Peacemaker® Ministries, is now offering a Master of Arts in Biblical Conflict Resolution. This degree program is designed for people who do not need a professional ministry degree, but desire to supplement the training offered by Peacemaker Ministries through its Institute for Christian Conciliation (ICC).

In order to obtain the M.A. in Biblical Conflict Resolution, a student must complete a 40-hour degree program through Birmingham Theological Seminary and complete or have previously completed the Peacemaker Ministries Certification Program. The academic component, offered by BTS, includes classes in Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Counseling and Practical Theology. Details on this degree program and admission requirements are available at www.birminghamseminary.org. Birmingham Theological Seminary anticipates that many students will take these courses via distance education, some over a period of several years. Because the M.A. in Biblical Conflict Resolution incorporates the required courses for the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, a student who completes the M.A. in Biblical Conflict Resolution will also earn an M.A.B.S.

The Peacemaker Ministries Certification Program builds on Peacemaker Ministries’ Peacemaking Training, leading to the designation of Certified Christian Conciliator™ upon successful completion of the Certification Program., Details on the Certification Program are available at www.peacemaker.net/Training. The Certification process may be completed prior to enrollment at BTS, during BTS coursework, or after BTS coursework has been completed. Birmingham Theological Seminary does not administer the Certification Program or charge the student any fee related to a student’s participation in Peacemaker Ministries’ training.

About Birmingham Theological Seminary and Peacemaker Ministries:

Birmingham Theological Seminary is a Reformed evangelical seminary in Birmingham, Alabama, with administrative offices and the main campus located at Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA). BTS was established in 1972 to allow students to pursue a theological education on a part-time basis. Virtually all BTS faculty are in full-time ministry outside of the seminary, and bring that practical ongoing ministry experience into the classroom. The faculty, staff and board of BTS are committed to the reformed faith and the inerrancy of Scripture. More information on BTS, including its statement of faith and a listing of degrees and courses, is available at www.birminghamseminary.org.

Peacemaker Ministries was founded in 1982. The mission of Peacemaker Ministries is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically. In a more expanded version, our mission is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically by developing and delivering outstanding, life-changing resources, training, and services to a multitude of receptive churches throughout the world. We prepare church leaders, adults, and children for peacemaking through educational resources, seminars, and training. We also provide conflict coaching, mediation, and arbitration services to resolve church and ministry disputes, lawsuits, family divisions, and business conflicts. Peacemaker Ministries carries out its training through one of its divisions, The Institute for Christian Conciliation™. The ICC works with gifted peacemakers to provide the conciliation training and certification they need to develop and use their spiritual gifting to serve their churches.

Testimony From a Student

Biblical Conflict Resolution is a sub-discipline of biblical counseling. The more I practiced as a Certified Christian Conciliator™ the more I knew I needed a greater grasp of theology and particularly practical biblical counseling. The Master of Arts degree in Biblical Conflict Resolution at Birmingham Theological Seminary provided that depth of biblical training and practical education in counseling that perfectly complimented the training I had received from Peacemaker Ministries in Christian Conciliation. I highly recommend the distance learning and on-campus courses of BTS for anyone serious about the practice of biblical peacemaking.

David V. Edling
M.A. in Biblical Conflict Resolution, 2008