Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership
Minister in your community in a pastoral or administrative role.
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Grow as a Servant Leader for God’s Kingdom
North Central University offers a fully online Church Leadership degree, designed to improve your skills as a ministry leader and prepare you for a role in a church setting. Not only will you receive intensive academic training and mentorship, but you will also have avenues to practice ministry with local churches. This equips you to gain a deeper understanding and passion for serving God as well as their neighbors and become equipped in skills as an effective preacher, leader, and mentor.
Online programs at NCU reflect our commitment to a multicultural and caring Christ-centered community even away from campus. Connect with peers and participate in virtual live chapel. Online students can expect meaningful communications with faculty, collaborative classes, and rigorous coursework, as well as online tutoring and academic success coaching.
- Online: Complete this 124-credit program online as part of our Christian community.
- Affordable Tuition: Explore generous financial aid options available to all residential traditional undergraduate students.
- Christ-Centered Curriculum: Define and refine your faith at NCU, where classes and student life are rooted in Scripture and nurtured in community.
North Central had an enormous impact on how I pursued my calling to ministry. My classroom experience was essential, and so was the one-on-one attention I received from professors. They were able to point out areas where I needed to grow as a student and a spiritual leader. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Zeus Vital, ’13
Campus Pastor, River Valley Church
Why Study Church Leadership at NCU?
The residential or online church leadership degree at NCU is designed to equip you with ministry best practices and church administration skills that you can activate right away. At the bachelor’s degree level, you will participate in advanced biblical scholarship, study Pentecostal doctrine, and get real-world experience in church management and mentoring. Choose between two specializations: the Worship Leader Track or the Church Ministries Track and a related church internship.
The in-person program is ideal for students who want a residential experience and ministry experience in the Twin Cities. The online format makes it easier to learn while rooted in a community outside the Minneapolis area. Both programs will grow your faith and knowledge through studying theology, biblical studies, church history and administration, and more.
Students may choose to minor in Church Ministries, which is similar to this major.
View the Academic Catalog for a full list of admission requirements and course listings.
Program Highlights
Lead as a Christian Mentor
Read and Interpret Scripture
Study Abroad in the Holy Lands
Lead as a Christian Mentor
Build skills in discipleship, pastoral counseling, and guiding biblically based spiritual formation.
Read and Interpret Scripture
Deepen your understanding of Old and New Testament literature, history, and interpretation.
Study Abroad in the Holy Lands
Experience a trip to the Holy Lands where students can visit ancient sites in Israel and Jordan. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of biblical contexts and geography.
Concentration Tracks
Church Ministries Track
Develop your skills and understanding with courses in evangelism, advanced homiletics, pastoral care and counseling, so that you are prepared for roles in ministry during an internship and after graduation.
Worship Leader Track
Grow in your calling to worship leadership with a specialization that builds your musical expertise and deepens your understanding with theology of Christian worship. Put these into practice during an internship and after graduation.
Career Outcomes
A degree in church and ministry leadership prepares students to work in their local church, as well as for ministry and leadership roles in cause-driven organizations, Christian education, healthcare, and non-religious administrative roles.1 Transferable skills include mentoring, critical thinking, managing a team, analyzing and understanding complex texts and concepts, and strong interpersonal communication.
Our graduates succeed in a variety of jobs and careers. Here are some possibilities:
- Pastor
- Bible Instructor
- Christian Administrator
- Church Planter
- Evangelist
- Military Chaplain
- Ministry Worker
- Hospice and hospital chaplain
Where Our Alumni Work and Intern*
- River Valley
- West Wood Church
- Cedar Valley
- Grace Church
- Eagle Brook
- And more
*This includes alumni internships of multiple programs offered by the College of Church Leadership.
Learn From Industry Experts
Seasoned, credentialed faculty share their expansive church leadership experience and a commitment to support students as you pursue your calling in church work.
Explore Related Programs
Not sure how your calling translates into a degree? These programs may interest you:
B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies
B.A. in Pastoral Studies
B.S. in Worship Leadership
FAQs
Can a B.S. in Church Leadership prepare me to be a pastor?
Yes, the B.S. in Church Leadership at NCU can prepare you for ministry as a pastor or for a number of other full-time and volunteer leadership roles. Because courses cover topics such as church administration and conflict resolution and negotiation, you will graduate ready to support a church organization and the relationships that hold it together.
This program is comprehensive and practical, meaning it provides a strong foundation of church leadership knowledge and best practices that you can implement in a pastoral role right away. Many students find that it helps them discern their calling and refine the next steps in their ministry and education, such as graduate or seminary programs. Explore NCU’s church leadership programs for furthering your church work training.
Can I enroll in this program if I’m not a member of Assemblies of God?
Yes! We welcome ministry-minded Christians to consider this program as a step toward their God-given calling. NCU is affiliated with Assemblies of God and teaches from that perspective. You will be trained for Pentecostal ministry and administration, but you can apply what you learn in other denominational and organizational settings.
Citations
Sources: 1Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clergy, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes212011.htm (viewed Nov. 13, 2025).