Master of Divinity (M. Div.) Major in Worship & Music
About the programme
Applicants need to attain a bachelor degree from a recognized university; non-music degree graduate must obtain Grade 6 in music theory and Grade 8 in voice or any musical instrument from Royal School of Music or equivalents. Candidates are required to take pre-requisite courses in Music Theory (harmony and form analysis), SSET, Western Music History, and at least two semesters of choral conducting class. This is a four-year course.
Courses
Year 1
Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Old Testament Introduction I
Old Testament Introduction I (3 cr. hrs.)This is an introduction to the historical background of Pentateuch and the “former prophets”. The course covers the old testament canon, the foundations of Israel in the Patriarchal, the conquest and settlement in Canaan by Israelites and reasons for the establishment of the united Monarchy under David and Solomon and the subsequent division into two Kingdoms. |
3 |
New Testament Introduction I
New Testament Introduction I (3 cr. hrs.)This general introductory course covers the historical, political and cultural background of the Jewish people from 168BC to AD135. A comprehensive survey of the four Gospels including authorship, dating crucial issues and with special reference to the life and ministry of Jesus will be studied. |
3 |
Greek I
Greek I (3 cr. hrs.)An introduction to the grammatical structures including the present, and imperfect and aorist tenses of verbs and vocabulary of the New Testament Greek. |
3 |
Church Music History
Church Music History (3 cr. hrs.)Explore in detail the styles and historical development of church music from Biblical time to Contemporary periods; these include the development of Western, Asian, African and Latin American church music. |
3 |
Critical Thinking & Presentation
Critical Thinking & Presentation (2 cr. hrs.)This course introduces the basic research methods, strategies and the fundamental skill of writing papers. Critical writing with particular attention to logical fallacy will also be studied. |
2 |
Choral Conducting I
Choral Conducting I (2 cr. hrs.)Develop conducting skills, method of choral singing, analyze the style of music from different periods and from different cultures. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard I | 1 |
MTS Choir I & MTS Jubilate I
MTS Choir I & MTS Jubilate I (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar I
Practicum seminar I (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration I | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 19 |
Semester 2 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Old Testament Introduction II
Old Testament Introduction II (3 cr. hrs.)The second part of this introductory course includes a survey of the minor prophetic, wisdom and apocalyptic literatures. The course covers the studies of the divided kingdom; the impart of the dominance of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires on the life and faith of Israelites, the incidents resulting the Exile and thereafter and their restoration before Maccabean War. |
3 |
New Testament Introduction II
New Testament Introduction II (3 cr. hrs.)This course explores the growth of the apostolic church and the life and ministry of Paul. An introduction to Pauline Epistles and other writings of the New Testament, including the background, main themes and critical matters related to the crucial texts will be discussed. |
3 |
Greek II
Greek II (3 cr. hrs.)This continuing course of Greek I will continue to study the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Geek. Emphasis is also given to the reading of select passages from Greek texts. |
3 |
Exegetical Methods
Exegetical Methods (3 cr. hrs.)This introduces the principles of interpretation with special attention to both the content and context in the interpretation of words and texts in the Bible. Recent theories of interpretation are critically taken into consideration. |
3 |
Choral Conducting II
Choral Conducting II (2 cr. hrs.)Develop the conducting skill, method of choral singing, analyse the style of music from different periods and from different cultures. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard II | 1 |
MTS Choir II & MTS Jubilate II
MTS Choir II & MTS Jubilate II (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar II
Practicum Seminar II (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration II | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
Year 2
Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Greek I
Greek I (3 cr. hrs.)An introduction to the grammatical structures including the present, and imperfect and aorist tenses of verbs and vocabulary of the New Testament Greek. |
3 |
Homiletics
Homiletics (3 cr. hrs.)This introductory course is to study the theory of preaching, including principles of sermon preparation, the nature and content in preaching. Different types of sermons will be prepared and discussed. |
3 |
Church Music History
Church Music History (3 cr. hrs.)Explore in detail the styles and historical development of church music from Biblical time to Contemporary periods; these include the development of Western, Asian, African and Latin American church music. |
3 |
Worship Design and Leading
Worship Design and Leading (2 cr. hrs.)An in-depth study of worship liturgy ranging from liturgical worship to contemporary and contextual worship, and the students are required to master the skills of designing and leading innovative worships. |
2 |
Choral Conducting III
Choral Conducting III (2 cr. hrs.)Focus on some of the major choral works, anthems, oratorios, and cantatas. Score study, analysis, preparation and conducting will be the main emphasis. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard III | 1 |
MTS Choir III & MTS Jubilate III
MTS Choir III & MTS Jubilate III (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar III
Practicum Seminar III (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration III | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Semester 2 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Greek II
Greek II (3 cr. hrs.)This continuing course of Greek I will continue to study the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Geek. Emphasis is also given to the reading of select passages from Greek texts. |
3 |
Hymnology
Hymnology (3 cr. hrs.)Explore the historical development of Christian hymns and explicate the understanding of hymns through.
|
3 |
Theology of Worship
Theology of Worship (3 cr. hrs.)This course is to examine the biblical and theological foundations of worship, and the development of worship in church history to the present day. It also explores the theological implications of the Church Calendar, music, arts and the use of symbols in worship. Furthermore, the students are equipped with the skills of creative worship design and leadership. |
3 |
Cantoring/ Piano Service Playing/ Choral Literature/ Seminar in Music & Liturgy* | 2 |
Choral Conducting IV
Choral Conducting IV (1 cr. hrs.)Focus on some of the major choral works, anthems, oratorios, and cantatas. Score study, analysis, preparation and conducting will be the main emphasis. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard IV | 1 |
MTS Choir IV & MTS Jubilate IV
MTS Choir IV & MTS Jubilate IV (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar IV
Practicum Seminar IV (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration IV | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 16 |
*According to the Area of Concentration.
Year 3
Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Old Testament Exegesis I
O. T. Exegesis I (3 cr. hrs.)This course is a study of structure, theological motifs and exegesis of the texts of the Pentateuch. Selected texts and portions from the Pentateuch will be studied. |
3 |
Church History I
Church History I (3 cr. hrs.)This first part of Church History covers the missionary developments of the Church from the time of the apostles until the Reformation. It includes the principal events and personalities in the early Church, Christian piety, the rise of monasticism and scholasticism. Attention is also given to the relationship between the contexts of the Church with the surrounding cultures. |
3 |
Christian Theology I
Christian Theology I (3 cr. hrs.)Systematic theology is the subject studying the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. It will be studied biblically, historically, and contemporarily. This course covers the following areas:
|
3 |
Christian Education I
Christian Education I (3 cr. hrs.)This introductory course is designed to provide an overview upon the meaning, role and function of Christian education in the total ministry of the Church. Theory of the formulation of Christian education will be studied with the purpose of guiding the students with the necessary resources so as to build a contextualized Christian education for the local Church. |
3 |
Choral Conducting V
Choral Conducting V (1 cr. hrs.)Focus on some of the major choral works, anthems, oratorios, and cantatas. Score study, analysis, preparation and conducting will be the main emphasis. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard V | 1 |
MTS Choir V & MTS Jubilate V
MTS Choir V & MTS Jubilate V (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar V
Practicum Seminar V (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration V | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
Semester 2 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
New Testament Exegesis I
N. T. Exegesis (3 cr. hrs.)This course is a study of the structure, and probable setting of Mark in relation to the other Gospels. That includes the outlining the argument of passages, doing word studies, validating exegetical decisions. |
3 |
Church History II
Church History II (3 cr. hrs.)This second half of the course, which continues with Church History I is tracing the Church expansion from the time of reformation until the present day. The course includes various movements of renewal and reform and the Church responses to thoughts of modernism. Student is required to study the history of his denomination or church tradition in the context of Asia. |
3 |
Christian Theology II
Christian Theology II (3 cr. hrs.)This course is the last portion of the Christian faith, which covers the following areas:
|
3 |
Christian Education II
Christian Education II (3 cr. hrs.)This course is the implementation act upon the theoretical stage in the Christian Education I. It includes planning of educational ministries for children, youth, adults and elderly people in the local Church. The special attention is given to adaptation and use of curriculum resources with the aim of developing the students to conduct the education work such as leading bible-study, Sunday school, home cell group, membership and lay-leader training in the local Church. |
3 |
Choral Conducting VI
Choral Conducting VI (2 cr. hrs.)Focus on some of the major choral works, anthems, oratorios, and cantatas. Score study, analysis, preparation and conducting will be the main emphasis. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard VI | 1 |
MTS Choir VI & MTS Jubilate VI
MTS Choir VI & MTS Jubilate VI (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Practicum Seminar VI
Practicum Seminar VI (1 cr. hrs.)Practical Divinity is an integrated course with the following components:
Field-based component deals with the weekend and Sunday practical ministry in local churches. Non-class area involves campus spiritual activities such as Friday Fasting prayer, chapel time, personal devotion and evangelism work. For class-based portion, students need to attend seminars. These include the introduction to Field Education and other church’s disciplines in line with the field education for the respective years as required by the School. |
1 |
Area of Concentration VI | (1) |
Total Credit Hours | 17 |
Year 4
Semester 1 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Christian Apologetics | 3 |
Christian Ethics
Christian Ethics (3 cr. hrs.)This course provides students with a foundational understanding of ethical considerations, including those related to gender and/or sexuality, women, and children, within the framework of Christian beliefs and practices. Through the study of Christian Ethics, students develop the necessary knowledge and skills to critically analyze and engage with gender-related and other ecclesial and social issues from an ethical perspective, fostering a commitment to promote social holiness, justice and peace within the Methodist community and the public arena. |
3 |
Wesleyan Theology
Wesleyan Theology (3 cr. hrs.)An introductory course to understand the spirituality and the theology of John Wesley. Its purpose is to restore the distinctive Wesleyan heritage to the Methodist people. Attention will also be given to Wesley’s class system and meeting. Classic & contemporary Wesleyan hymns will be introduced. |
3 |
Wesleyan Hymns
Wesleyan Hymns (2 cr. hrs.)Explore the theology, musical style, poetry, text-music relationship of Wesleyan Hymn, and the spiritual impetus to contemporary music. |
2 |
Practicum I
Practicum IStudents will be assigned to local churches to serve in the area of worship: designing worship, choosing and leading congregational songs, conducting choir and accompanying worship. |
/ |
MTS Choir VII & MTS Jubilate VII
MTS Choir VII & MTS Jubilate VII (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Choral Conducting VII
Choral Conducting VII (2 cr. hrs.)Focus on some of the major choral works, anthems, oratorios, and cantatas. Score study, analysis, preparation and conducting will be the main emphasis. |
1 |
Voice/Keyboard VII | 1 |
Graduation Project I* | 1.5 |
Total Credit Hours | 15/16.5 |
Semester 2 | |
---|---|
Courses | Credit Hours |
Clinical Pastoral Integration
Clinical Pastoral Integration (3 cr. hrs.)Through class learning, clinical pastoral care, group sharing and interaction, trainees gain insight into how their families of origin, life experiences, belief systems and other factors shape their identity as individuals and pastors. At the same time, they would have a better and deeper understanding of the people they serve. In addition to the five-day intensive course, trainees are required to complete not less than 45 hours of pastoral practice, submit verbatim reports, book reports and reflection paper to integrate their learning, and enhance the personal and professional growth. |
3 |
Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Counseling (3 cr. hrs.)This course provides an introduction to basic counseling theory, in which students will be equipped as a knowledgeable pastoral counselor. It includes the basic counseling skills in terms of basic methods of interviewing and intervention. It also stresses the practices of counseling skills. This includes examination of oneself, and an experimental learning approach to integrate information with life experiences. Students may also offer case-study during class sessions to allow demonstration of counseling skills in terms of role play. |
3 |
Church Discipline & Leadership
Church Discipline & Leadership (3 cr. hrs.)This introduces the constitution, general rules, social principles, organization and administration and general services of the Methodist Church in Malaysia. Leadership concerns and its practical functions will be identified. |
3 |
Contemporary Theology
Contemporary Theology (3 cr. hrs.)This subject aims at tracing trends and discerning directions in today’s theological landscape, giving evaluation and critique of prominent 20th & 21st century theologies. They include the basic contemporary theologies (Neo-orthodoxy, Pentecostalism, Neoliberalism, Charismatic Movement as well as contemporary world trends such as the Theology of Hope, Process Theology, Third Wave Theology, Feminist Theology, Post-colonial and various Third-world Theological Directions. By engaging with these diverse theological perspectives, students gain a broader theological context to address various cultural-theological, socio-political, economic and gender/sexuality issues facing the contemporary faith communities and the public square. |
3 |
Homiletic II
Homiletics II (3 cr. hrs.)This continuing course of Homiletic I will help students to prepare a variety of sermons and to learn to preach in classes or videotaped for a critical review by classmates and lecturer. M. Div. Students will take this course in the second semester of their third-year study. |
3 |
Practicum II
Practicum IIStudents will be assigned to local churches to serve in the area of worship: designing worship, choosing and leading congregational songs, conducting choir and accompanying worship. |
/ |
MTS Choir VII & MTS Jubilate VII
MTS Choir VII & MTS Jubilate VII (2 cr. hrs.)Emphasize on technique of vocalization and diction, learn to sing choral music from different periods and from different cultures: contextual and global to enhance and widen music appreciation from ancient to contemporary, from our own context to worldwide. |
2 |
Recital** | 2 |
Graduation Project II* | 1.5 |
Total Credit Hours | 18.5/19 |
Elective: Handbell (1 Cr Hrs)
*For Area of Concentration in Music and Liturgy only.
**For Area of Conecentration in Voice/Keyboard/Choral Conducting only.
General Admission Qualifications
- The applicant must be a born-again Christian. He / she must give evidence of a clear calling to full-time Christian Ministry, and of commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church.
- Qualities of integrity, faithfulness, diligence, sound health, willingness to live a community life and proficiency in languages (English or Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia or Iban) are normally required.
- He / she must prove his / her competence in handling theological studies with appropriate academic records.
- The minimum age of the applicant is 18 years old. Working experience would be an advantage to the applicant.
- Candidates should pass the entrance examinations.
Application and Admission Procedures
- The applicant can obtain an application form from the School, and send it to the School with the following supporting documents:
- A personal testimony of how the applicant becomes a Christian (1000 words)
- A personal statement of reasons of why the applicant goes into theological studies and full-time ministry (1000 words)
- Full academic records / certified copies of school / college / university certificates
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- One recommendation letter (Form obtainable from the school) from the applicant’s church pastor and a letter of recommendation from Local Church Executive Committee.
- A medical report (Form available from the school).
- Completed Application Form should reach the School before 15th September every year (For Malaysian). Overseas Application Form should reach the School before 30th June every year to facilitate the process of visa application.
- Completed application Form should be sent to the School with the following address:
“New Students’ Enrolment”
P.O. Box 78, 96007 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Phone: 084-321409
Email: general@mtssibu.edu.my - Entrance examination and English Test are compulsory for those the School deem fit for admission.
- The School reserves the right to admit or reject any application.
Graduation Requirement
- Students must complete the minimum of 120 credit hours within 4 years.
- Students must obtain minimum GPA of 3.00.