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Graduate Diploma Programs
Our Graduate Diplomas introduces you to a one-year graduate-level education for a wide variety of workplace or ministry settings. In addition to completing core courses in Christian history, theology, and biblical studies, you will gain a full experience by choosing electives according to your focus. Coursework successfully completed is transferable to the Master of Divinity or Master of Theological Studies programs.
Christian Studies
The Christian Studies focus will teach you a broad understanding of theological and biblical foundations. This program offers you the flexibility to tailor your studies to meet specific learning and ministry goals.
The Christian Studies focus will teach you a broad understanding of theological and biblical foundations. This program offers you the flexibility to tailor your studies to meet specific learning and ministry goals.
Pastoral and Chinese Ministry
This focus introduces you to concepts of church leadership in Chinese and multicultural congregations. In this English language program, you will complete courses with special attention to the North American Chinese Church.
This focus introduces you to concepts of church leadership in Chinese and multicultural congregations. In this English language program, you will complete courses with special attention to the North American Chinese Church.
Christian Studies – Modular
This focus provides a biblical and theological foundation in a modular format. It is ideal if you have family, ministry, or full-time career responsibilities. You will enter this program as a cohort with other students and maintain as a group throughout the entire program.
This focus provides a biblical and theological foundation in a modular format. It is ideal if you have family, ministry, or full-time career responsibilities. You will enter this program as a cohort with other students and maintain as a group throughout the entire program.
Spiritual Formation
You will be introduced to the practice of spiritual disciplines, spiritual retreats, and communal worship. This program is geared towards teaching you the transformational process of how to become like Jesus, how to facilitate spiritual growth, and how to hear God’s voice.
You will be introduced to the practice of spiritual disciplines, spiritual retreats, and communal worship. This program is geared towards teaching you the transformational process of how to become like Jesus, how to facilitate spiritual growth, and how to hear God’s voice.
Leadership
The Leadership program trains you with a biblically based understanding of leadership. It is designed to prepare you to engage in studies of leadership formation for the purpose of effective leadership in the 21st century.
The Leadership program trains you with a biblically based understanding of leadership. It is designed to prepare you to engage in studies of leadership formation for the purpose of effective leadership in the 21st century.
Youth and Family
The Graduate Diploma in Youth and Family Ministry prepares you for working in youth ministries. It looks at the theological understanding on youth culture, youth development, and spiritual ministry. This program offers you the flexibility to tailor your studies to meet specific learning and ministry goals.
The Graduate Diploma in Youth and Family Ministry prepares you for working in youth ministries. It looks at the theological understanding on youth culture, youth development, and spiritual ministry. This program offers you the flexibility to tailor your studies to meet specific learning and ministry goals.
Global Mission and Intercultural Studies
The Graduate Diploma in Global Mission and Intercultural Studies program introduces you to the work of a leader to engage in cross-cultural ministry locally and globally. It offers a range of disciplines suitable for ministry and missions work in diversified world contexts.
The Graduate Diploma in Global Mission and Intercultural Studies program introduces you to the work of a leader to engage in cross-cultural ministry locally and globally. It offers a range of disciplines suitable for ministry and missions work in diversified world contexts.
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Degree Programs
Coursework successfully completed is transferable to other degrees:
Master of Divinity
Biblical StudiesCounselling
Christian Education and Formation
Global Mission and Intercultural Studies
Pastoral Ministry
Program Requirements
Christian Studies Modular | Christian Studies| Leadership | Global Mission and Intercultural Studies | Pastoral and Chinese Ministry | Spiritual Formation | Youth and Family Ministry
Christian Studies:
One Introductory Biblical Studies Course
One Theology Course
One History Course
One Ministry Foundation Course:
[LEAD 0510] Leadership Development or [SPIR 0700] Spiritual Formation
or [MISS 0782] Gospel, Church and Culture
Elective Courses (5)
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coordinator: Dr. James Beverley
Leadership:
Core Requirements (4):
One Introductory Biblical Studies Course
One Theology Course
One History Course
[LEAD 0510] Leadership Development
Leadership Elective Courses (4)
Free Elective (1)
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coordinator: Dr. Arthur Boers
Global Mission and Intercultural Studies:
Core Requirements (4):
One Introductory Biblical Studies Course
One Theology course
One History Course
Gospel, Church, and Culture [MISS 0782]
Mission Elective Courses (4)
Free Elective (1)
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coodinator: Dr. Wafik Wahba
Pastoral and Chinese Ministry:
Required Core Courses (4)
[BIBL 0501] Biblical Interpretation: Interpreting and Applying the Biblical Text
[OLDT 0511] Old Testament Theology and History
[NEWT 0522] New Testament Theology and History
One Theology Elective
Pastoral Chinese Ministry Courses (4)
[PAST 0641] Introduction to Preaching or [CHIN 0601] Preaching in the Chinese Church
[CHIN 0506] Advanced Pastoring: Issues, Strategies, and Directions in 21'st Century North American Asian Churches
Any two of the following:
[CHIN 0603] Evangelism and Church-Planting in the Chinese Community
[CHIN 0781] Youth & Family Ministry in the Immigrant Church
[CHIN 0605] Pastoral Counselling in the Asian Context
[CHIN 0503] Chinese Church History
[CHIN 0602] Pastoring in the Chinese Church
Free Elective (1)
May be taken as a Directed Reading and Research (DRR) integrative project.
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coordinator: Dr. Barabara M. Leung Lai
Spiritual Formation:
Core Requirements(4)
[SPIR 0700] Spiritual Formation
One Introductory Biblical Studies course
One Theology course
One History course
Spiritual Formation Elective Courses (4)**
Free Elective (1)
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Notes:
** SPIR 0710 and SPIR 0711 may not be taken as part of the diploma program.
Program Coordinator: Dr. David Sherbino
Youth and Family Ministry:
Core Requirements (4)
One Introductory Biblical Studies Course
One Theology Course
One History Course
One Ministry Formation Course:
[LEAD 0510] Leadership Development
or [SPIR 0700] Spiritual Formation
or [MISS 0782] Gospel, Church and Culture
Youth and Family Ministry Elective Courses (4)
Free Elective (1)
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coordinator: Rev. Dr. David Overholt
Christian Studies - Modular:
[SPIR M501] Spiritual Formation
[THEO M511] Systematic Theology I
[BIBL M502] Biblical Interpretation: Interpreting and Applying the Biblical Text
[OLDT M503] Old Testament Theology and History
[NEWT M504] New Testament Theology and History
[INTD M505] Gospel, Church, and Culture
[HIST M509] History of Christianity I
[THEO M513] Christian Ethics
[INTD M506] Work, Vocation, and Ministry
Total Diploma Courses: 9
Program Coordinator: Dr. Arnold Neufeld-Fast
Program Faculty
Dr. Arnold Neufeldt-Fast
Associate Academic Dean
Director, MTS Modular Program
neufeldt-fast@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 2655 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BTh, Mennonite Bible College, 1987;
BA, Brock University, 1987;
MA, Brock University, 1988;
PhD, University of St Michael's College, 1996
Areas of Specialization: Contemporary Protestant Theology and Ethics, Continental Philosophy, Anabaptist Studies.
Dr. Neufeldt-Fast brings to the position of Director of the Master of Theological Studies Modular Program a strong background in teaching and administration as well as international exposure. From 2000-2006 Dr. Neufeldt-Fast was the Coordinator of a MA in Pastoral Ministries modular program at the Theological Seminary, Bienenberg, Switzerland, in partnership with the University of Wales and the Oxford Centre of Mission Studies. He has taught primarily theology and ethics at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as courses in Christian spirituality. Dr. Neufeldt-Fast has authored a number of articles and scholarly book reviews in both English and German and has translated a variety of German theological texts into English. He is currently translating the second volume of Karl Barth’s Göttingen Dogmatics (Eerdmans). Dr. Neufeldt-Fast is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada.
Dr. Arthur Boers
Associate Professor, R.J. Bernardo Family Chair of Leadership
aboers@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 2157 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BA, University of Western Ontario, 1979;
MA, Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 1983;
MDiv, McCormick Theological Seminary, 1988;
ThM,Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, 1998;
DMin, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2001.
Areas of specialization: leadership, focal living, pastoral ministry, pastoral care and counseling, spiritual disciplines, conflict, pilgrimage.
Dr. Boers has taught for Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Conrad Grebel University College, Andover Newton Theological School, and the Canterbury College D. Min. program. Prior to teaching, he was a pastor in rural, urban church-planting and inner-city settings in the US and Canada. He is the author of a number of books: Living into Focus: Choosing What Matters in an Age of Distraction; Day by Day These Things We Pray: Uncovering Ancient Rhythms of Prayer; The Way is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino de Santiago (translated into Korean in 2008), The Rhythm of God’s Grace: Uncovering Morning and Evening Hours of Prayer; Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Difficult Behavior; Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A New Look at the Lord’s Prayer; Justice that Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders; On Earth as in Heaven: Justice Rooted in Spirituality. He was the coordinating editor of the two-volume set, Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book. He has published hundreds of articles and reviews in dozens of periodicals and speaks and teaches regularly at churches, conferences, denominational events, and retreats in Canada and the U.S. His writing earned awards from HarperSanFrancisco’s Best Sermons Competition, Academy of Parish Clergy Top Ten Books for Parish Ministry, Associated Church Press, and Evangelical Press Association. He also received a Christian Faith and Life Grant and a Study Grant for Pastoral Leaders, both from the Louisville Institute. He is a Benedictine Oblate.
- Justice That Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders
- Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A New Look at the Lord's Prayer
- Never Call Them Jerks
- On earth as in heaven: Justice rooted in spirituality
- Take Our Moments And Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book
- The Rhythm of God's Grace: Uncovering Morning and Evening Hours of Prayer
- The Way Is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino De Santiago
Dr. Barbara M. Leung Lai
Professor of Old Testament
Director, Pastoral and Chinese Ministry Program
blai@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 6714 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BTh, Alliance Bible Seminary, 1972
MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1976
ThM, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, 1979
PhD, University of Sheffield, England, 1997
Areas of Specialization: Wisdom Literature, Apocalyptic Literature, Psychological Hermeneutic of Biblical Themes and Texts, Social Sciences and the Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, Biblical Interpretation in Postmodern Times, Text and Reading, Gender-Culture Studies, the development of Appropriation/Relevance Theories.
Methodologically located in the inter-disciplinary terrain of Social Sciences and Biblical Studies, she distinguishes herself in the advancement of psychological hermeneutic of Biblical texts and themes.
Dr. Leung Lai came to Tyndale in 1997 after 20 years of teaching and equipping ministries in the East and West. She previously taught at Evangel Theological Seminary of Hong Kong (as a missionary with the Evangelical Free Church) and McMaster Divinity College. During her last sabbatical, she served as Visiting Scholar at Fuller (2003) and Princeton (2004).
Dr. Leung Lai is a frequent presenter at scholarly and professional gatherings (SBL, ISBL, IBR, ATS functions and global consultations). She has been appointed as Scholar Associate of Wycliffe College, University of Toronto; as member of the Steering Committee of the Psychology and Biblical Studies Section of the Society of Biblical Literature; and as member of the Editorial Board for the Society of Asian North American Christian Studies Annual (SANACS Annual). In 2010, she was elected as member of the Advisory Committee on Women in Leadership in Theological Education (WiL) with ATS. Dr. Leung Lai serves the broader academic community through adjunct teaching internationally.
She is the author of two academic monographs (Commentary on the Book of Proverbs [Tien Dao Publishing House, 2005] and Through the ‘I’-Window: The Inner Life of Characters in the Hebrew Bible [Hebrew Bible Monographs 34; Sheffield Phoenix Press], 2011), and has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, chapters in academic books, and articles in study Bible and dictionary entries. Other than teaching and scholarship, Dr. Leung Lai serves the Church community as a sought-after consultant in the area of teaching and appropriating the Old Testament in postmodern times.
During her current sabbatical leave, she is engaging in the research and writing of her book project (on Relevance/Appropriation Theories), as a researcher at Stanford & GTU (fall 2011), and will be a reader at Tyndale House, Cambridge (Spring 2012).
- Aspirant Sage or Dysfunctional Seer? Cognitive Dissonance and Pastoral Vulnerability in the Profile of Daniel
- Commentary on the Book of Proverbs
- Hearing God's Bitter Cries (Hosea 11:1-9): Reading, Emotive-Experiencing, Appropriation
- Introduction to Daniel
- Invited book review of Chairman Mao Meets the Apostle Paul: Christianity, Communism, and the Hope for China
- Making Sense of the Biblical Portrait: Toward an Interpretive Strategy of Proverbs 31:10-31
- OBED
- Psalm 44 and the Function of Lament and Protest
- Student Diversity and Theological Education
- Surely, All Are in Vain! Psalm 73 and Humanity Reaching out to God
- Through the 'I'-Window: The Inner Life of Characters in the Hebrew Bible
- Total Otherness, Awe-Driven Self-Condemnation, and Atonement for Guilt: The Psychology of Religious Experience and Guilt in Isaiah 6
- Uncovering the Isaian Personality: Wishful Thinking or Viable Task?
- What Would Bakhtin Say about Isaiah 21:1-12? A Re-reading
Dr. David Sherbino
Professor of Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry
dsherb@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 6741 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BA, University of Ottawa, 1970
BTh, Tyndale College, 1971
MPS, St. Paul University, 1975
STM, McGill University, 1976
Diploma in Ministry, Presbyterian College, McGill University, 1976
Diploma in Spiritual Direction, Pecos Benedictine Abbey, 1976
DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1986
CSD (Certified Spiritual Director), Canadian Council of Professional Certification, 1999
CT (Certified Thanatologist), American Association of Death Educators and Counselors, 2002
FT (Fellow in Thanatology), American Association of Death Educators and Counselors, 2009
CSDS (Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor), Canadian Council of Professional Certification, 2010
Areas of Specialization: Pastoral Counselling, Worship, Spiritual Formation, Leadership, Thanatology.
Dr. Sherbino has been a faculty member at Tyndale Seminary since 1987, serving previously as Chair of the Pastoral Ministries Department, Coordinator of the Worship and Liturgy program and Dean of the Chapel. He is presently coordinating the program in Spiritual Formation. Dr. Sherbino has served in several congregations in Canada and is presently the Senior Minister of Cornerstone Community Church (Presbyterian) in Kleinburg.
A commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, he served for four years as Regimental Chaplain to the Queen’s York Rangers. A popular speaker and church consultant, he regularly addresses various church and ministry groups in Canada and overseas. He has written many articles for church press publications and has recently published Foundations for Christian Living and Marriage Preparation Manual and Re:Connect Spiritual Exercises to Develop Intimacy with God. His work on spiritual formation has been produced on several videos. Dr. Sherbino is involved in adjunct teaching at various theological schools, including the South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies (India), the Alliance Biblical Seminary (The Philippines), a BGST (Singapore), and at McMaster Divinity College (Hamilton, ON).
Dr. James A. Beverley
Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics
jamesbeverley@sympatico.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 6706 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BA (Hon), Acadia University, 1975
MDiv, Acadia University, 1977
MTh, University of Toronto, 1983
PhD, University of St. Michael's, 1994 College(Toronto)
Areas of Specialization: Apologetics, World and New Religions, Charismatic Christianity, Roman Catholic Theology, and Christian Ethics
Professor Beverley has taught at Tyndale since 1988. From 1978 until his move to Tyndale, he was a professor at Atlantic Baptist University in Moncton, NB. He is the author and editor of twelve books, including Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions, Religions A to Z and Counterfeit Code, a reply to Dan Brown’s famous novel. He is also the Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara.
He is a specialist on the study of new religions and did his Ph.D. thesis on the inner teachings of Sun Myung Moon. He has been interviewed frequently by the media including BBC radio, Finnish television, CBC Radio, The Los Angeles Times, CBC television, Syrian television, CTV News, The Globe & Mail, etc. He is a contributing editor for Christianity Today magazine and a columnist for Faith Today magazine. In 2000 he had a personal interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Professor Beverley is also an expert on the relationship of Christianity to Islam. He is the author of Christ and Islam (College Press, 1997), Understanding Islam (Thomas Nelson, 2001), Islamic Faith in America (Facts on File, 2002). He also wrote the entry on Muhammad in The Quran: An Encyclopedia (Routledge, 2005) and the entry on Islam in the six-volume Religions of the World (ABC Clio, 2009). He has done research on Islam in Africa, India, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Professor Beverley is a member of the American Academy of Religion, Evangelical Theological Society, Canadian Society for the Study of Religion, Evangelical Philosophical Society, and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. His expert opinion has been sought in both criminal and civil trials, including the case of Holocaust denier Malcolm Ross. His testimony in a Toronto criminal case was included in a television documentary.
His wife Gloria is a kindergarten teacher in the Ontario Public School system. Jim and Gloria have two adult children. Andrea is doing a Ph.D. in English literature and Derek has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Art and Design.
- Christ & Islam: Understanding the Faith of the Muslims
- Counterfeit Code: Responding to the Da Vinci Heresies
- Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing: An Investigative Report
- Islamic Faith in America
- Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions: A Comprehensive Introduction to the Religions of the World
- Religions A to Z: A Guide to the 100 Most Influential Religious Movements
- Understanding Islam Nelson's Quick Guide To Religions
- Islam: An Introduction to Religion, Culture, and History
Dr. Wafik Wahba
Associate Professor of Global Christianity
wwahba@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 2132 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BA, Ain Shams University, 1980
BTh, Evangelical Seminary (Cairo, Egypt)
MATS, McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago), 1985
ThM, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1987
PhD, Northwestern University, 1997
Areas of Specialization: Global Christianity, Cultural Contextualization, Theology, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
Dr. Wahba first came to Tyndale as adjunct professor of theology in 1998, having previously taught contextualized theology at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt, as well as having pastored churches in Chicago and Toronto. Dr. Wahba has taught theology and intercultural studies in the United States, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. Dr. Wahba is one of 31 contemporary reformed theologians who have contributed to The Future of Reformed Theology, edited by Willis, David & Welker, Michael, (Eerdmans, 1999). Dr. Wahba has also published in Zur Zunkunft Der Reformierten Theologie, (Neukirchener Verlag, 1998). He co-led the unit on Theological Education for Mission at the 2004 Forum of Lausanne Committee in Pattaya, Thailand and is one of the authors of “Effective Theological Education for World Evangelization” Lausanne Occasional Paper No. 57, (May 2005). Dr. Wahba serves on the Board of Directors for several international Christian organizations.
Rev. Dr. David Overholt
Adjunct Professor of Youth and Family Ministries
doverholt@tyndale.ca
416-226-6620 ext. 2713 |
Campus: Ballyconnor
BSc, Wheaton College, 1983
MRE, McMaster Divinity College, 1993
EdD, OISE, University of Toronto, 2001
Area of Specialization: Youth Ministry, Next Generation Church Ministry, Mentoring, Leadership Development and Creativity
Rev. Dr. Dave Overholt is the founding pastor of Church on the Rock, one of the largest and longest running youth-targeted churches in North America. In addition to 27 years in youth ministry, Dr. Overholt has a doctorate in philosophy of education from University of Toronto with a thesis in “Adults Mentoring Adolescents.” His books include: Reasons to Believe (a youth apologetic), Live What You Believe, (a youth growth project), Soul Searching the Millennial Generation, (a youth worker’s guide to teen work) and New Beginnings (a youth devotional). Dr. Overholt speaks to thousands of students each year through a wide-ranging speaking and consulting ministry.
Talk to an Admissions Counsellor
The Seminary Admissions team would be pleased to answer any questions you might have about the application and admissions process, and they are also available to meet with you one on one. We look forward to talking with you.
Applying to Tyndale Seminary
Application Checklist for Full-and-part-time Degree-Seeking Canadian Students (not you?)
Use the following checklist to assist you:
1. ☑ Review our Admission Requirements
2. ☑ Prepare all required supporting documentation*:
- Complete our application:
Online Application (Free) or
Download the Paper Application (mail it to Tyndale).
- Have your references complete both the Pastoral/Character Reference form and the Academic/Employer Reference form either Online or by paper:
Pastoral/Character Reference Form and Academic/Employer Reference Form
Download the Paper Reference Forms (have references mail the forms to Tyndale)
- Request all post-secondary institutions to mail your official transcript(s) directly to the Admissions Office
- Complete any Application Supplements if your program is:
3. ☑ Make sure you meet the appropriate deadlines
4. ☑ Confirm and submit your application
Send reference forms and official transcripts directly to:
Tyndale Admissions Office
25 Ballyconnor Court
Toronto, ON M2M 4B3
Canada
25 Ballyconnor Court
Toronto, ON M2M 4B3
Canada
*If applicable:
- Send your TOEFL and TWE or IELTS scores to the Admissions Office.
- Complete and submit your Residence Application and deposit.
- Complete and submit Medical Form (this is mandatory for all international students and students applying for residence).
One Course at a Time
Apply as an Occasional Student, a Letter of Permission Student, or an Audit Student by following the instructions on the Visiting Student Application Form.
Visiting Student Application Form
Doctor of Ministry
Apply to the DMin program by using the D.Min Application Form.
D.Min Application Form ![]()
International Students
Apply by following the instructions on the International Application Form.
International Application Form
Need help? Contact Admissions at: 1-877-TYNDALE (896-3253) | 416-218-6757 (local) | admissions@tyndale.ca






