Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Program
The Doctor of Ministry program is an advanced professional degree intended for persons engaged in some aspect of full-time Christian ministry, such as the pastorate, Christian education, chaplaincy, evangelism, music and worship ministry, and related areas of service. Its intent is to enable seminary-
trained Christian leaders who have already demonstrated a significant measure of ministerial competence to enlarge their vision and abilities in the service of the Lord and His Church. Through the exploration of biblical and theological knowledge and exposure to various issues and needs in contemporary ministry, the D.Min. student further develops practical skills of ministry rooted in and governed by biblical and theological truth.
The program features an emphasis in Pastoral Leadership. The aim is to apply classic pastoral wisdom to contemporary challenges, in order that pastors might exert a radical, redemptive influence upon culture. There are four grids through which courses are offered: Pastoral Preaching; Pastoral Leadership; Pastoral Care; and Pastoral Life/Spirituality. The student will complete eight three-hour courses and a six-hour written dissertation, earning a total of 30 semester hours. In addition, the student will conduct a final, oral dissertation demonstration.
Program
Ideology
With the goal of elevating the practice of ministry, we wish to bring together strong student and faculty resources to create an excellent learning environment.
Our students should be interested in seeking unselfishly to increase the impact of the Church worldwide. They should be committed to sharing their ideas and sharpening one another, “as iron sharpens iron.”
Our D.Min. faculty, consisting of both adjunct ministry experts (including current practitioners such as Haddon Robinson, Leith Anderson, Don Sunukjian, Eddie Gibbs, Gene Getz and Jerry Bridges) and members of our resident faculty with expertise in the ministry areas, possess a concern for and interest in working with D.Min. students and are able to relate to the cutting edge of ministry.
1. Attitudinally: transmit a contagious missionary vision for ministry, passionate concern for the lost, commitment for evangelism and church-planting/building.
2. Competently: formulate and practice a holistic understanding of ministry, integrating theology, missiology, communication and linguistic sciences, anthropology, and related disciplines.
Together, students and faculty concentrate on the planning, doing, assessing, and reporting of ministry effectiveness. Methods used include such things as diagnostic testing, peer and professorial discussion, peer and professorial critiques of student work, integrative papers, broad reading in a subject area, development of ministry research skills, meaningful involvement of the student’s congregation, and case study.
Admission
Requirements
Admission requirements for the D.Min. program assume a high level of achievement in biblical, theological, and ministerial areas through previous academic studies and ministry experience.
In addition to the Seminary’s general requirements for admission, the applicant
to the Doctor of Ministry program shall hold a three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree or its educational equivalent from an institution accredited regionally and/or by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (A.T.S.). A cumulative grade point of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) is required. In certain cases, a student with a two-year theological M.A. degree may be admitted in a provisional status with the agreement to complete M.Div. equivalency courses prior to doctoral course work.
An applicant with a Master of Divinity degree from an unaccredited institution
may seek admission by special review. A copy of the institution’s catalog, setting forth faculty credentials, curriculum, facilities and learning resources, shall be submitted at the time of application. Any additional documentation the applicant wishes to submit to assist the Committee in its decision is welcome. If the review is favorable, the student will be admitted on academic probation. The probationary status will be reviewed upon the satisfactory completion (3.0 average or greater) of two doctoral courses.
Doctoral applicants must provide evidence of significant achievement in ministry. A minimum of three years of full-time ministry experience after the completion of the Master of Divinity degree is required. Current involvement in vocational ministry is required both for admission and for continuance in the program. Because the D.Min. is an in-service professional
program, it is necessary for the doctoral student to remain active in pastoral ministry throughout the program.
A set of admission materials must be completed and on file in the Admissions Office before action can be taken. These materials include an admission statement; experience statement (or professional vita); a statement of supportive
endorsement from the church or agency with which the applicant serves; four professional and personal references; and official transcripts of all college, graduate-level, and seminary education. In addition, doctoral applicants must provide a sample of writing and research skills. This commonly
takes the form of a seminary research paper, articles for publication
or distribution, or materials produced for use in one’s ministry. The sample selected should reflect the applicant’s writing skills in form, style, and content. The deadline for submission of the application is eight weeks prior to each doctoral course. (For a schedule of D.Min. courses and the registration dates, please contact the D.Min. Office.)
