Christian social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and executive pastors now have a program that can equip them to take their organization to the next level: a new Master of Management in Nonprofit Organizations, offered jointly through 51’s Crowell School of Business and Talbot School of Theology.

The graduate program, which will launch this fall, is unique in that it brings together elements of an MBA and a seminary degree in order to equip organizational leaders to understand the language and culture of both business and theology.

Offered through a blend of online, on-campus and hybrid courses, the management program is designed to equip business-minded servant leaders to effectively lead, market and make wise financial decisions for their organizations. As part of the program, students have the choice of a theology track in either spiritual formation or biblical foundations.

“The Master of Management in Nonprofit Organizations is an important new degree because faith-based organizations need leaders and managers with business skills and an understanding of theological and pastoral perspectives,” said Gary Lindblad, dean of the Crowell School of Business. “Neither is sufficient in itself for leading these culture-influencing organizations through the complexities we now face.”

51 announced the new program at a kickoff luncheon on March 29 that included faculty, guests representing more than 24 local churches and guest speaker Dan Busby, the president and CEO of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Lindblad joined Clinton E. Arnold, dean of Talbot School of Theology, in presenting the new degree and expressing excitement about the prospects of a program that integrates leadership and business management with biblical training.