Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program is an advanced, professional degree designed for those
in ministry who seek to enhance their leadership, deepen their theological understanding,
and develop practical skills to address complex issues within their ministry context.
The program focuses on the integration of academic study, personal spiritual growth,
and practical ministry application. Here is an overview of what is typically taught in a
Doctor of Ministry program:
- Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies
- Biblical Interpretation for Ministry: Advanced study of biblical texts with a focus on their
application in contemporary ministry. This may include hermeneutics, exegesis, and how
scripture informs preaching, teaching, and leadership. - Theology and Ministry Practice: In-depth exploration of theological doctrines
(e.g., Christology, pneumatology, soteriology) and how they shape the practice of ministry.
Students learn to connect theological reflection with everyday ministry challenges.
- Leadership and Organizational Development
- Advanced Leadership in Ministry: Study of leadership theory and its application in a
church or ministry setting. Focus on strategic visioning, decision-making, team leadership,
and change management. - Organizational Dynamics in Ministry: Exploration of how churches and Christian organization’s
function, including governance, administration, and the development of healthy ministry structures.
Emphasis on creating effective, sustainable ministries. - Servant Leadership: Study of servant leadership as modeled by Jesus, with a focus on humility,
service to others, and leading with integrity in a ministry context.
- Preaching and Communication
- Advanced Homiletics: Training in advanced preaching techniques, including sermon preparation,
delivery, and how to effectively communicate complex theological ideas to diverse congregations. - Preaching for Transformation: Study of how preaching can lead to spiritual growth and
transformation within a congregation, focusing on crafting messages that inspire, challenge,
and equip the church for action. - Effective Communication in Ministry: Development of advanced communication skills,
including public speaking, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication within the
context of ministry.
- Spiritual Formation and Personal Growth
- Spiritual Formation for Leaders: Emphasis on the ongoing spiritual growth and development
of the leader, focusing on practices such as prayer, fasting, meditation, and study of scripture.
The goal is to maintain a healthy spiritual life while leading others. - Soul Care and Self-Care: Study of personal well-being and balance in ministry, including
strategies for avoiding burnout, managing stress, and maintaining emotional and spiritual
health while caring for others.
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Advanced Pastoral Care: Exploration of pastoral care practices for dealing with complex
issues such as grief, trauma, crisis intervention, marriage and family counseling, and
spiritual guidance. - Counseling in Ministry: Training in advanced counseling techniques, focusing on addressing
emotional, relational, and spiritual needs within a congregation. This may include integrating
biblical principles with psychological insights. - Ministry in Times of Crisis: Study of how to offer pastoral care during crisis situations
(e.g., natural disasters, church conflicts, pandemics) and how to lead communities through
such events.
- Contextual and Cross-Cultural Ministry
- Contextual Theology and Ministry: Examination of how theology and ministry practices
must adapt to various cultural, social, and demographic contexts. Focus on urban, rural,
and global ministry challenges. - Cross-Cultural Leadership: Training in leading diverse congregations or mission teams
across cultural and ethnic lines, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity, inclusivity,
and effective communication in multicultural settings. - Global Mission and Evangelism: Study of contemporary mission strategies and how
the global church engages in evangelism, discipleship, and social justice across diverse
cultural contexts.
- Ethics and Social Justice in Ministry
- Christian Ethics in Leadership: Exploration of ethical decision-making within ministry,
focusing on integrity, moral leadership, and accountability. Topics may include handling
power, money, and relationships ethically. - Social Justice and Ministry: Study of how the church can engage in social justice issues
such as poverty, racism, human trafficking, and environmental care. Students learn to
lead their congregations in addressing systemic injustices in their communities. - Public Theology and Advocacy: Training in how to advocate for justice and positive
change within society from a Christian perspective. This includes learning how to engage
with public policy, community organizing, and advocacy on behalf of the marginalized.
- Missional and Evangelistic Leadership
- Missional Church Leadership: Exploration of how to lead a church that is outwardly
focused and engaged in God’s mission in the world. This may include church planting,
community outreach, and engaging with non-traditional church settings. - Evangelism in the 21st Century: Study of contemporary evangelism strategies, including
how to reach secular, post-Christian, and digital communities with the gospel. Emphasis is
placed on relational evangelism and innovative ministry models.
- Change and Conflict Management in Ministry
- Leading Change in the Church: Study of how to lead congregational or organizational
change in a healthy and effective way. This includes understanding resistance to change,
navigating transitions, and casting vision for a preferred future. - Conflict Management and Mediation: Training in handling conflict within churches or
organizations, with a focus on peacemaking, mediation, and reconciliation. Students learn
practical tools for addressing and resolving conflicts biblically.
- Research and Practical Ministry Application
- Ministry Research Methods: Training in research methodologies relevant to ministry contexts,
including how to conduct qualitative and quantitative research that informs ministry practice
and decision-making. - Action Research for Ministry: Emphasis on “action research,” where students implement
and test new ministry strategies in their own contexts and evaluate the results for effectiveness
and improvement. - Ministry Innovation and Best Practices: Study of innovative models and best practices for
ministry in areas such as church growth, discipleship, leadership development, and community
engagement.
- Capstone Project or Dissertation
- Doctoral Project or Dissertation: The culmination of the D. Min program typically involves
a significant research project or dissertation. This project addresses a specific ministry challenge
or opportunity in the student’s context. Students conduct original research, propose solutions,
implement strategies, and evaluate the results. - Integration of Theory and Practice: The project integrates academic study with practical ministry,
allowing students to contribute to the field of ministry leadership while improving their own ministry context.
- Practical Ministry Experience
- Field-Based Learning: The D. Min programs involve field-based learning, where students apply
their studies in their own ministry settings or in supervised ministry contexts. This allows for
immediate application of leadership, pastoral care, or evangelistic strategies. - Peer Learning and Mentorship: Students often engage in peer learning groups or receive
mentoring from experienced ministry leaders, allowing them to refine their leadership skills
in a collaborative environment.
- Specializations or Concentrations
The Doctor of Ministry programs offer specializations or concentrations, allowing students to
focus on particular areas of interest. These might include:
- Preaching and Homiletics
- Spiritual Formation
- Missional Leadership
- Church Growth and Renewal
- Youth and Family Ministry
- Christian Education
- Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Chaplaincy
Key Goals of the D. Min Program:
- Professional Growth: Enhancing the practical skills of ministry leaders in areas such as
preaching, counseling, and leadership. - Theological Depth: Developing a deeper theological understanding to address complex
issues in ministry. - Contextual Adaptability: Preparing leaders to adapt to the changing cultural, social,
and spiritual landscapes of ministry. - Practical Application: Encouraging innovative solutions to real-world ministry challenges
through research and applied projects.
Graduates of the Doctor of Ministry program is typically prepared for advanced leadership
roles in the church, such as senior pastor, executive pastor, denominational leader, or professor
of ministry. They are equipped to lead with greater theological depth, pastoral skill, and strategic
insight in their ministry contexts.
Please contact Dr. Yoong S. Kim (901) 490-8973