Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry is an advanced professional program for those persons already successfully engaged in Christian ministry. The program is designed to enhance professional competence in the practice of ministry, to provide opportunity for the renewal of the minister’s personal and spiritual life, and to stimulate growth in ministry. As an in-service professional ministry development program, the minister is able to remain in full-time ministry while engaged in this learning process. The Doctor of Ministry is not a research program, but the highest academic standards are set forth.

The program is a minimum of three years in length and requires the completion of twelve courses plus a ministry research project and its related research clinics. All classes are offered in one-week intensive seminars.

Doctor of Ministry Purposes
The Doctor of Ministry degree program seeks to:

• Provide a Spirit-filled ecumenical learning environment where professionals in ministry can learn from instructors and from their peers in ministry;
• Provide experienced Christian leaders the opportunity to increase professional effectiveness;
• Encourage candidates in the process of self-examination and spiritual renewal;
• Allow candidates the opportunity to explore significant biblical, theological, and ministry themes as issues relative to current ministry;
• Assist candidates in their professional development by enabling them to apply biblical and theological concepts to their personal ministries;
• Facilitate candidates in developing increased leadership effectiveness;
• Assist candidates in examining the distinctives of Spirit-filled ministry and the release of such ministry in the local church;
• Examine contemporary trends in ministry and worship; and
• Allow candidates the opportunity to develop significant comprehension in a chosen area through the process of the Ministry Research Project.

Doctor of Ministry Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry degree, students will be able to:

• Articulate a mature biblical theology of pastoral ministry and pastoral leadership;
• Demonstrate mature knowledge and understanding in the daily tasks of church
  ministry;
• Articulate one’s ministry identification with a realistic understanding of one’s own
  strengths and weaknesses in ministry;
• Demonstrate the ability to think, write, and speak analytically on biblical, theological,
  and practical ministry issues;
• Demonstrate the proficiency to direct people and programs for effective ministry;
• Articulate the distinctives of Spirit-filled ministry in the local church;
• Articulate a broad knowledge of contemporary trends in ministry;
• Demonstrate a mature and comprehensive knowledge of the area of ministry examined
  and implemented; and
• Evidence the Christ-like character worthy of emulation and necessary for successful
  ministry.

Graduation Requirements
Before candidates for the Doctor of Ministry degree are graduated they must have successfully completed a minimum of 48 quarter hours of class work with a minimum cumulative grade of B level or above. Candidates must have completed a Ministry Research Project, successfully completed the oral defense of the project, and passed an oral examination over the course work. Candidates must have filed their application for graduation by the February preceding graduation, fulfilled their financial obligations to the school, and participated in the graduation ceremonies.