Evangelical & Baptistic Leadership

• Contents of the programme

  The Evangelical & Baptistic Leadership specialisation is structured along VU Amsterdam's Exploring a Discipline master. It consists of two specific courses:

  • Applied Christology: Evangelical and Baptistic Perspectives (6 EC); a course that deeply engages with the theological field of Christology, starting from the way Christ is made present in ecclesial practices, in evangelical spirituality and in secular culture.
  • Evangelical and Baptistic Ethics: Contemporary Issues (6 EC); a course in which contemporary ethical issues are explored and discussed, using particular lenses from the baptistic/evangelical tradition, such as the emphasis on personal experience, a Biblicist hermeneutics and the process of discerning the mind of Christ together and the centrality of the Sermon on the Mount.

  Dutch students follow an Internship (12 EC) in the form of three masterclasses and a professional course on ethics and spirituality:

  • Masterclass Preaching Practice (2 EC): This course focuses on the practical aspects of homiletics: how to structure and deliver an effective sermon. Students practice public speaking, receive personal feedback, and reflect on their strengths as preachers. They develop a personal growth plan and preach in real-life contexts.
  • Masterclass Contextual Liturgy (5 EC): This masterclass explores designing worship services that are contextually rooted and both pastoral and prophetic. Students learn to use a performative, narrative liturgical style that integrates form, structure, and content. Special attention is given to adaptation to diverse contexts.
  • Masterclass Ecclesial Practices (5 EC): In this masterclass, students engage with a local church undergoing transformation or ethical discernment. Together with church leaders, they co-develop and guide a change process while reflecting on its dynamics. The course offers hands-on experience with the complexities of church development.
  • Spirituality & Ethics of the pastor (3 EC), which is focused on personal and professional formation both in regard to the student’s spirituality and the practice of spiritual direction as well as the ethics of a professional pastoral ministry, such as dealing with issues of power, sex and money.

  International students can shape the internship after their own preferences and possibilities, either in an international church or elsewhere.

  Besides these  specific courses, students enrolled in the programme also follow the general  courses of the Theology and Religious Studies master’s programme of VU Amsterdam, engaging with the interreligious environment VU Amsterdam offers. These are Hermeneutics, Research Skills, and one or two elective courses. Also, a master’s thesis is written on a topic of choice relating to a research group at the faculty, of which some specifically relate to evangelical and baptistic theology (see Research Groups FRT).

• Career Prospects

  On graduation, you will have the skills to become a minister, leader and/or theologian in evangelical and baptistic churches or organisations. For those already involved in ministry, the master’s provides a unique opportunity to broaden your perspectives, to gain overview of what is going on in actual church life and to grow in practical skills and qualifications.

  For those pursuing  ordination in a particular church, it is important to note that the specific educational requirements and qualifications may differ per church denomination. It is advised to fully inform yourself about this, as additional education may be required. As such, this programme can be followed as part of the route towards ordination of pastors in Dutch Baptist and CAMA churches, as is the Dutch Minor Missionair Leiderschap.

  In addition to leadership possibilities in church, having a master’s degree in theology from the Vrije Universiteit provides a qualification to work in a range of different settings, such as the academy, schools, governmental and non-governmental institutions as well as corporate environments. If you finish your first four courses with an 8 or higher on average, you may also switch to the Research Master.

• Other information

  Prior Knowledge
  The entry requirements of Exploring a Discipline apply to this specific specialisation (see Master's Theology and Religious Studies). For students without any prior theological education, we recommend that you consult with us to discuss the possibilities.

  Language
  The master’s programme is offered in English. For Dutch students, the specific internship offered as two masterclasses is followed in Dutch; international students follow a generic internship.

  Location
  Some of the programme specific courses are offered in the Baptist House, Postjesweg 150, 1061 AX  in Amsterdam (a 15-minute journey from VU Amsterdam), general courses take place at VU Amsterdam. In consultation some courses might also be available online, through distance learning.

Interested?