Doctor of Ministry

General Objectives

This program is designed to increase the effectiveness of pastors. It is built upon the biblical, theological, and professional foundations of the Master of Divinity degree. This program concentrates on developing expertise in the theory and practice of ministry. The D.Min. is the highest professional degree for those engaged in local church ministries, world missions, and similar ministries.

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold the Bachelor of Arts degree or its equivalent and the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. A minimum grade point average of B (3.0) on work toward the Master of Divinity degree is ordinarily required. Greek or Hebrew is required.

All applicants must have been engaged in a recognized form of professional ministry for at least three years after receiving their Master of Divinity degree and are expected to reflect competence and growth in ministry as a result of their professional experience. They are expected to continue their practice of full-time ministry for the duration of their Doctor of Ministry program.

 

An interview with a faculty member of UWU is required. This will be arranged through the school office.

 

Graduation Requirements

All D.Min. students are required to complete 45 semester hours with a grade point average of 3.3 and with no grade below a B counting toward the degree. The 36 hours of course work must include 6 core courses and 6 elective courses.

 

Nine units of a dissertation, minimum 180 pages, on a topic selected in consultation with the student’s academic advisor, must be completed and approved by three examiners. The criteria of acceptability for this dissertation are, in order of weight, (1) significant research in and contribution to the field of study, (2) in-depth knowledge of the area of research, and (3) clear, concise presentation according to proper grammar, style, and academic format. A previously written work, or one which has already been awarded academic credit, will not be accepted.

Course Requirements

Core Courses

DM 701 Theology of Ministry (3)

DM 702 Applied Theology (3)

DM 703 Leadership (3)

DM 704 Church Growth

DM 779 Theological Foundations for Ministry (3)

DM 800 The Doctoral Project and Research Methodologies (3)


Elective Courses

DM 709 Worship in Contemporary Culture (3)

DM 710 Worship (3)

DM 711 Pastoral Counseling (3)

DM 712 Church Education (3)

DM 713 Conflict Management (3)

DM 714 Expository Preaching (3)

DM 715 Revitalizing Preaching (3)

DM 716 Church Planting and Development (3)

DM 717 Small Group Ministry (3)

DM 719 Church Revitalization (3)

DM 741 Pastoral Ministry to Leaders (3)

DM 751 Preaching the Gospel in a Postmodern World (3)

DM 754 The Prevailing Church (3)

DM 763 Risk Management and Ministry (3)

DM 764 Puritan Theology and Ministry (3)

DM 768 The Reformers and Christian Ministry: Reshaping God’s People in the Past and Present (3)

DM 771 Theologians of the 20th Century (3)

DM 777 Preaching from the Old Testament (3)

DM 778 Reformed Piety: Principles and Practices (3)

Course Description for Doctor of Ministry Program

 

Core Courses

 

DM 701 Theology of Ministry (3)

A study of the nature and work of the Christian leader from a theological perspective. This course provides participants the opportunity to discuss contemporary challenges to traditional models of pastoral ministry, to interact with new developments in hermeneutics, to develop a variety of ways for assessing recent cultural developments in the West, and to renew interest in prayer as a part of ministry of the Word.

 

DM 702 Applied Theology (3)

A theological approach to moral problems and social issues in contemporary society (social ethics) and/or to personal spiritual growth and renewal (personal ethics).

 

DM 703 Leadership (3)

The objective of this course is to help pastors understand the theory and develop the skills necessary for effective leadership in the church. Group dynamics, principles of change, planning, organizational development, and other concepts are considered. Varieties of learning experiences related to the pastor’s current ministerial situation are provided.

 

DM 704 Church Growth

A survey of church growth and renewal dynamics from a biblical, theological, historical, and cultural perspective. Topics include church growth and renewal principles, typologies, and methodologies, with attention to the roles of prayer, worship, preaching, teaching, fellowship, and evangelism in church growth and renewal.

 

DM 779 Theological Foundations for Ministry (3)

This course examines the theological underpinning of the tasks of ministry and focuses on such areas as the doctrine of God, revelation, the person and work of Christ, the covenants, and eschatology and how our understanding in each area affects our ministry.

 

DM 800 The Doctoral Project and Research Methodologies (3)
This course will assist the student to understand the required components of the D.Min. Project and the proper presentation of an acceptable proposal. Faculty from select fields of study will describe the research methods and resources appropriate to various components of the project. Class sessions will consist of both lecture and dialogue with students on their specific topics. Included in the course will be some mandatory research time in the library for building one’s bibliography. As an outcome of the course, students should be able both to craft an acceptable project proposal and to begin the research and writing of the project itself.

 

Elective Courses

 

DM 709 Worship in Contemporary Culture (3)

 

This course examines biblical norms for corporate Christian worship, historic practices, and evangelical forms in the Reformed tradition and addresses ways in which churches should respond to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary culture.

 

DM 710 Worship (3)

An overview of the biblical theology of worship with applications to the changing styles and forms of corporate worship occurring in today’s church. Students analyze important issues, such as the role of traditional and contemporary music in worship, seeker services, new worship paradigms, the regulative principle, aesthetics, architecture, worship planning methods, and personal preparation.

 

DM 711 Pastoral Counseling (3)

This course applies core counseling theory to the pastorate and includes lab experience for integrating theory with specific current pastoral needs.

 

DM 712 Church Education (3)

This course examines the role of the pastor in constructing curriculum and planning effective educational programs for all ages. Modern teaching techniques, leadership development, and administrative structures are addressed.

 

DM 713 Conflict Management (3)

Theological and psychological implications of conflict in the church are studied to enable pastors to adopt a positive attitude toward specific crisis situations. A plan of action is developed for each case considered.

 

DM 714 Expository Preaching (3)

This course examines effective communication, popular exposition, speaking to current issues, sermonic organization, long-range planning, and improved methods of persuasion.

 

DM 715 Revitalizing Preaching (3)

This course is designed to enable pastors to prevent routine in their preaching. It deals with the theology of preaching, preaching from different genre of biblical literature, dealing with contemporary issues, the relation of preaching to worship, and planning an effective long-range preaching program.

 

DM 716 Church Planting and Development (3)

An introduction to church planting designed to equip students with a strategy for starting and multiplying churches. The course focuses on developing a biblical vision for ministry and philosophy of ministry and surveys seven stages of church planting, from preparing to go to the field, through reproducing a daughter church. Other topics include ministry management, conflict management, and the personal life of the church planter.

 

DM 717 Small Group Ministry (3)

This course deals with the biblical precedent for small group ministry, the role of small groups in the life of the church, and the ministry of small groups for discipleship, evangelism, fellowship, recovery, and ministry.

 

DM 719 Church Revitalization (3)

A study of the means of diagnosing problems in the local church and ways to revitalize it for effective ministry.

 

DM 741 Pastoral Ministry to Leaders (3)

In this course, Christian leaders examine ways to minister to the pastor by giving him renewed vision and practical methodologies.

 

DM 751 Preaching the Gospel in a Postmodern World (3)

This course is designed to help the student understand and teach a text of Scripture Christocentrically in order to bring the meaning of that text to bear on the heart and life of the listeners.

 

DM 754 The Prevailing Church (3)

This course is designed to enable the student to develop a ministry plan suitable to his own location and context with the goal of seeing the church taken to a new level of healthy growth.

 

DM 763 Risk Management and Ministry (3)

This course identifies ministry risks and assesses them from theological, ethical, organizational, and legal perspectives. Consideration is given to developing effective risk management strategies for the professional, personal, and legal risks that affect churches and clergy today.

 

DM 764 Puritan Theology and Ministry (3)

A study of the British Puritans and their influence, with particular reference to preaching and ministerial priorities in our own contemporary setting and to the continuing impact of their thought and practice.

 

DM 768 The Reformers and Christian Ministry: Reshaping God’s People in the Past and Present (3)

The class will begin with a biblical-theological analysis of the nature of the church and then focus attention upon the Reformation, particularly Calvin’s Geneva. The seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries will also be evaluated to see their biblical models of ministry in light of their culture. Nineteenth century analysis will focus particularly on the Southern Presbyterian church. Students will be encouraged to evaluate these models and apply them to their ministries.

 

DM 771 Theologians of the 20th Century (3)

The teachings of Scripture and with a traditional Reformed understanding. This course aims to provide an overview of 20th century theologians who have significantly influenced the worldwide church.

 

DM 777 Preaching from the Old Testament (3)

This course explores a variety of models for uncovering the treasure that God has given the church in these sacred Scriptures.

 

DM 778 Reformed Piety: Principles and Practices (3)

This course examines the richness of a piety deeply rooted in the Reformed tradition. Particular attention is given to the nature and priority of God, providence, grace and God’s initiative, union with Christ, sanctification, the sacraments, the divided heart, and Coram Deo.