DMin Areas of Study
Please note that an MDiv or its equivalent is required to enter the DMin program. See Admission Requirements for the DMin program.
Why Leadership?
Leadership is not central. It is instrumental. God—and his mission—is central. Those who lead are his instruments in his great commission (Matt. 28:18-20) to make disciples and teach them to obey everything he taught as they are guided and empowered by his Spirit to accomplish his mission of establishing his kingdom (Acts 1:6-8; 28:31; Rev. 11:15). Those taught obey wherever they are, but where they are the most is at work. There, and everywhere, they are to so live that people will see God in their work and praise him (Matt. 5:16). They are God’s instruments there, and everywhere, as a part of his orchestra in the world so people can hear the music of God and sing praises to him. Hope hears the future music and faith sings its song.
Marriage and Family Counseling ministers to those who struggle in life.
Areas of Study We Offer
For a list of required seminars for each track, please see the current Catalog.
There are two tracks:
Leadership has four concentrations with different emphases:
Leadership in Chaplaincy (DMC)
People in every organization all experience problems and crises. They need care, encouragement, and guidance in order to cope, survive and, hopefully, thrive personally and at work. When people are not cared for, the entire organization suffers and can disintegrate. Chaplains serve as pastors/counselors in residence in the organizational marketplace. They function as a part of God’s mission to the world as they provide pastoral care in--and to--organizations.
Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry (DMP)
Effective ministry in the church today requires both good leadership and relevant preaching. We teach preaching that connects truth to life in order to lead people. People must know where you are leading them if they are to get there. We teach leadership that connects biblical truth to real-life circumstances so solutions are biblical. Skills must be developed in preaching and in leadership for pastors to be both faithful and fruitful in their service to our Lord and his mission.
Church and Parachurch Executive Leadership (DML)
People must be mobilized and organized if anything is to be accomplished (Acts 6:1-7). Knowing how to equip people, motivate them, and organize them to accomplish a purpose are critical skills. That purpose is to work with God to accomplish his mission. Working with God to develop people in effective systems is central to that task.
Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation (DMS)
God’s people must be spiritually formed (Gal. 4:19) to be united, and unity is required to work with God in his mission (John 17:21). God’s people must model what they teach for their message to be believable and desirable. We must model what we want to elicit. To know love, people must be shown love (John 13:34-35). Formation of self and others in Christlikeness is required for God’s love and grace to be seen by the world.
Marriage and family Counseling has one concentration:
Marriage and Family Counseling (DMF)
Working with marriages and families for understanding, healing and growth is central to our Marriage and Family Counseling program. Understanding how families function as systems is required to help families heal a dysfunctional system that wounds rather than works. Family members must learn to live out sacrificial love if healthy systems of interaction that honor God are to be developed.
