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2013-2014 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Ministry DMin

Skip Bell, Director

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry program is to provide structured, rigorous, advanced training in ministry by equipping participants with needed competencies and leadership skills. The program engages qualified people in an active learning environment so that they may reach advanced levels of ministry effectiveness.

Program Description

The Doctor of Ministry program offers a professional degree for people who seek advanced competencies in evangelism, ministry and mission. The program enables people to grow within the framework of a Biblical model of leadership and to develop an Adventist perspective of evangelism, ministry, and mission. The program is normally offered to professionals who are in active ministry.

Course modules include teaching intensives at various North American and international sites. Concentrations are offered in Chaplaincy Ministry, Discipleship and Biblical Spirituality, Evangelism and Church Growth, Family Ministry, Global Mission Leadership, Health Care Chaplaincy, Leadership, Missional Church: A Biblical Response to Western Culture, Pastoral Ministry (Spanish), Preaching, Urban Ministry, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

Doctor of Ministry modules include intensive sessions taught by faculty teams that include seminary professors with appropriate academic expertise and professionals from the field with experience in evangelism, ministry and mission. Teaching methodology combines appropriate methods and technology with collegial dialogue to encourage a creative learning environment. Faculty aim to facilitate balanced spiritual, professional, and theological formation that affects the individual, the family, and the ministry group. Participants develop a deeper personal experience, which leads to a strengthening of their family life as well as a greater commitment to ministry. They learn to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection, which helps them establish a Biblical model of servant leadership. Graduates from the program will be able to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of their churches and communities and develop and implement appropriate and effective ministries.

Program Outcomes

The Doctor of Ministry program seeks to develop the person, knowledge, and practice of its students.  While the program is structured around certain areas of concentration, there are outcomes we feel are important to evaluate as outcomes for all students.  The following are those program outcomes.

Being

1.   Develop deeper biblical spirituality.

2.   Experience enrichment of personal and family life.

3.   Intensify commitment to ministry.

4.   Develop an Adventist perspective of evangelism, mission, and ministry.

5.   Experience positive collegial relationships.

6.   Develop a global view of society and ministry.

Knowing

7.   Gain theoretical knowledge that contributes to advanced ministry.

8.   Develop an understanding of the biblical model of servant leadership.

Doing

9.    Able to evaluate ministerial practices through theological reflection.

10.  Able to use appropriate tools to analyze the needs of churches and communities.

11.  Develop skills that facilitate more effective ministry.

12.  Able to articulate theological and theoretical understandings that advance global ministry.

13.  Develop habits of study that contribute to lifelong learning.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent.
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Demonstrate high professional and personal potential for the gospel ministry.
  • Have an equivalent of at least three years of experience in ministry subsequent to the first graduate theological degree.
  • Supply satisfactory recommendations.
  • Submit a 1500–2500 word double-spaced paper that discusses their personal spiritual journey and sets forth their purpose for seeking the Doctor of Ministry degree. The paper should manifest deep theological reflection and a familiarity with current literature in pastoral ministry.
  • Applicants from other faiths may be accepted into the program, provided they meet admissions requirements and represent high moral integrity with a character, lifestyle, and spiritual commitment reflective of the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
  • Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed (applicants for non-English programs excepted).

Admission Procedure. Applicants must submit those items specified in the  Graduate Academic Policies  and in the Admission and Evaluation Policies  Seminary admission requirements on pp. 347–350.

Advanced Standing

Students who have done doctoral work in an accredited theological seminary or graduate institution may be eligible to receive advanced standing provided the work is appropriate to the DMin program. The DMin committee determines the appropriateness and relevancy of such credits. Credits accepted for advanced standing may not exceed 25 percent of the total credits required for the DMin degree. Credits earned toward an MA or an MDiv degree are not considered for advanced standing.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed in Academic Policies Applying to all Programs , students must fulfill the following requirements for the DMin degree:

General Requirements 18 Credits

Other modules 14 Credits

 Please select one of the following Concentrations.

Total Credits: 32

Additional Information:

Financial Plans

Financial plans are available to assist NAD employees, international students, cohort groups, and others. See the DMin website (www.doctorofministry.com) or contact the DMin office for further information.

Modes of Delivery

In order to make the program accessible to church professionals, the professor contact portions of course modules are offered as intensives on-campus and at off-campus locations.

Project Requirements

  • Students should take GSEM 790  (4 cr) in preparation for their project. A statement explaining the philosophy of a Doctor of Ministry project, including guidelines for its development and preparation, is provided when GSEM 790  is taken. A project proposal must be submitted and accepted.
  • The project, which should address a problem or issue directly relevant to the ministry of the contemporary church, is developed and implemented in an in-ministry situation. The approach of the project is normally developmental with formative evaluation. The project should be developed in consultation with the student’s adviser. Regulations governing the style and format of project documents are found in Andrews University Standards for Written Work.
  • During the third and fourth years of the curricular program, candidates must register for GSEM 796 . If the project is still in progress after this time, the student must register for GSEM 788  DMin Project Continuation (0 cr) and pay the doctoral project continuation fee for each additional semester.
  • When students are unable to demonstrate adequate writing abilities they will be required to hire an editor at their expense.
  • Students must pass an oral project assessment designed to test the candidate’s ability to integrate learning and the practice of ministry. The project assessment must be successfully completed no later than four weeks prior to graduation.

Time Limits. DMin students must complete all courses and modules and pass an oral assessment of the project within six years from the time they begin course work. In special circumstances and upon written request, an extension may be granted for one year. There is a minimum threshold of project work that must be completed before a request for an extension will be considered. Tuition for continuation equal to one doctoral credit will be charged per semester in an extension year.

Project Process. For a detailed outline of the DMin project process, students should see the Guidelines for the Doctor of Ministry Project. A copy of this document is provided to students during the GSEM 790  intensive. It can also be obtained from the Doctor of Ministry Web site: www.doctorofministry.com, or the DMin office.

Academic Supervision. The director of the DMin program acts as curriculum supervisor. The project adviser and a second reader are chosen by the student in consultation with the project coach. Students should work closely with these persons and the DMin project coach to complete the project.