Denver Seminary > MDiv with a Concentration in Justice and Mission

MDiv with a Concentration in Justice and Mission

In recent years the church has reawakened to God’s passionate care for those who are poor, vulnerable, and oppressed. Our hearts are broken when we encounter modern day slavery, refugees driven from their homes by civil war, and children’s potential unrealized because of disease and hunger. But how can local congregations move beyond good intentions to effectively engage these complex and overwhelming injustices? The M.Div. concentration in Justice and Mission empowers pastoral leaders to guide God’s people into the “justice” aspects of God’s mission. The concentration integrates an authentically biblical theology of mission with practical tools for activating the gifts of church so that God’s compassionate power is unleashed in the broken places of the earth. If you long to have a ministry that calls the Body of Christ out of its comfort zone and into courageous missional encounter with the world, the M.Div. concentration in Justice and Mission may be just the way to
get started.

Endorsements

Justice and Mission are hot topics for 21st Century Christians. But, the values are as old as the Bible and deeply rooted in the life and history of Denver Seminary. If God has given you a heart for the marginalized, hurting, poor and lost then this is the degree for you. Learn what the Bible teaches and then how to do what the Bible commands.

      Leith Anderson
     President, National Association of Evangelicals, Washington, DC
     Pastor, Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, MN

An introduction to the Justice and Mission degree with Dr. Gary VanderPol, Director of Justice and Mission program:

What is a Master of Divinity degree in Justice and Mission?
Why Mission (vs Missions)?
What will you get out of this degree?
What are the core components of this degree?
What classes will you take?
Contact us

What is a Master of Divinity degree in Justice and Mission?

This program is designed to equip students to serve God through engagement in mission, which meets the needs of the whole person – spiritual, physical, and social. You will be provided training in theological foundations for transformational ministry, as well as practical tools for effective social action.

Why Mission (vs Missions)?

What is the difference between Mission and Missions (with an s)?

Missions describes an activity, the sending of individuals from one part of the world to another part of the word. But Mission describes God's redemptive movement and as a result the church's redemptive movement into the world. It can be in a local, multicultural, or an intracultural global setting.

What will you get out of this degree?

The opportunity to be involved in ministries of relief, development, and compassion, while being ready and able to speak the gospel where that is possible and appropriate.
Exposure to a wide variety of justice and compassion related ministries, in order to help them clarify future ministry involvements.
Training to lead ministries related to relief, development, rescue and many other justice issues.

What are the core components of this degree?

There are three components to the program:

1. Biblical and theological foundations that include:

MDiv Core Classes (85 credit hours)
Justice and Mission Classes (12 credit hours)

3. Exposure to a variety of justice related ministries
4. Training and Mentoring (a requirement for ALL Denver Seminary students)

Structure

What classes will I take?

Besides the M.Div. core classes, there will be 6 hours of required classes and 6 hours of electives in Justice and Mission:

Justice and Mission Concentration Classes	Course #	Sem. Hrs
M.Div. core classes		85
Knowing Justice: Theological Foundations	JM 501	3
Doing Justice: Practical Foundations	JM 502	3
Justice and Mission electives		6
Total credits:		97