DMin Academic Catalog: Seminars in the Leadership Track
- Leadership in Chaplaincy Concentration
- Church and Parachurch Executive Leadership Concentration
- Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry Concentration
- Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation
- Mentoring Courses
- Research Courses
Leadership in Chaplaincy Concentration
DMC-801 Organizational Leadership: Effective Chaplains Lead from Where They Are (3 hrs)
Chaplains serve as servant leaders within secular institutions. This seminar focuses on understanding the institutional organization as a human system and the means by which the chaplain can leverage moral power and limited institutional authority to provide effective servant leadership from within the “chain of command.” Students will develop a strategic plan to maximize their ministry leadership to “lead from where they are.”
DMC-802 Prevention: The Stabilizing Influence of Chaplaincy (3 hrs)
Chaplains work within both internal and external organizational systems. Because systems break down when people break down, chaplains work with the human side of systems to bring stability that enables the systems to accomplish their purpose. Chaplains deal with communication, collaboration, and personal need at all organizational levels to help prevent the breakdown of the human side of the organization.
DMC-803 Restoration: Chaplaincy in the Time of Crisis (3 hrs)
Crises happen. Organizations break down. Whether it is a disaster to individuals, to the organization, or even a national mass casualty, chaplains are needed to help bring a sense of calm and cooperation by developing temporary procedures and systems to meet the crisis. Crises impact people. Restoration to a “new normal” requires people working together in new ways following the crisis. Chaplains help restore effective communication and cooperation needed to move beyond the crises.
CHAPLAINCY INDEPENDENT STUDY ELECTIVES (DMC-890)
A total of six hours are available for CPE, professional certification, War College studies, or additional seminars available in the Doctor of Ministry program. Students can determine which of the options they will use for their six hours. (DMC-890 = Independent Study):
Students choosing an Independent Study elective must register through the Dmin Office before beginning any work related to the Independent Study.
DMC-890 Clinical Pastoral Education I (two units of Level II /advanced/residency post-master’s degree CPE for 3 hrs)
DMC-890 Clinical Pastoral Education II (two units of Level II /advanced/residency post-master’s degree CPE for 3 hrs)
DMC-890 CPE I and CPE II may be taken concurrent with the student’s Dmin program or non-concurrent with the student’s Dmin program.
CPE concurrent means that the student has already been accepted to the Dmin program and will participate in CPE under the auspices of a credible organization such as: ACPE, CAPE, NACC, NAJC or CPSP while enrolled in the Dmin program. In order to receive the 3 credit hours toward completion of the Dmin degree, the student will fulfill the Independent Study requirements under Dr. McCormack’s direction concurrent with the CPE participation.
CPE non-concurrent means that the student did CPE prior to entering the Dmin program but after completion of the master’s degree, and that CPE was done under the auspices of a credible organization such as: ACPE, CAPE, NACC, NAJC or CPSP. In order to receive the 3 credit hours toward completion of the Dmin degree, the student will fulfill the Independent Study requirements under Dr. McCormack’s direction.
DMC-890 Theology of Supervision in Clinical Pastoral Education (3 hrs)
ACPE Paper “Theology of Supervision Position Paper”
DMC-890 Education and Personality Theories in Supervision in Clinical Pastoral Education (3 hrs)
ACPE Papers “Personality Theory of Supervision Position Paper” and “Educational Theory of Supervision Position Paper”
During these directed Independent studies, students research and write the three ACPE required “Theory Papers” for submission as partial completion toward the ACPE Associate Supervisor Certification Process. Students draw upon their Dmin faculty and ACPE Training Supervisor, as well as consult with other ACPE Supervisor “mentors”, in the writing of these papers. Students choosing these Independent Study options must be concurrently enrolled in the ACPE Supervisory Education Process by having completed an ACPE “Readiness Committee.”
DMC-890 Studies Toward the Board Certification of Chaplains in the Association of Professional Chaplains (3 hrs)
During this directed Independent study, students identify, research and write their Board Certification application papers to cover the four major areas of: I. The Theory of Pastoral Care Competencies; II. The Identification and Conduct of Chaplaincy Competencies; III. The Identification and Conduct of Pastoral Competencies and IV. The Identification and Usage of Professional Competencies. Students would be able to draw upon their Dmin faculty and APC Board Certified Mentor(s), as well as consult with other APC Board Certified Chaplains in the writing of these competency papers for application toward board Certification with the APC. Students choosing this Independent Study option must be concurrently in the process of applying for Board Certification with the APC.
DMC-890 Studies in Military War College PME and Chaplaincy Integration I (3 hrs)
DMC-890 Studies in Military War College PME and Chaplaincy Integration II (3 hrs)
During these two directed Independent Studies with the Military War College courses, students research and write on how their PME War College learning integrates with their ministerial delivery as a Chaplaincy Supervisor and Administrator. In general, Professional Military Education War College Courses that would be most appropriate for these two Independent Studies would be courses dealing with cross-cultural, multi-cultural, pluralistic and global leadership either at the level of officership or chaplaincy. Some joint-service leadership courses might also qualify for these Independent Study options. Students may be currently enrolled in, or have completed, war college in residence, seminar or correspondence.
DMC-890 Senior Chaplain Supervisory PME and the Practice of Supervisory Chaplaincy (3 hrs)
During a directed Independent Study utilizing a student’s Senior Chaplain Supervisory PME course, students research and write on the implementation of learning in this course with her/his current or future senior chaplaincy leadership in the areas of a subordinate’s pastoral care, professional growth and employee supervision. Boundaries, ethics and legal issues will need to be specifically addressed.
Church and Parachurch Executive Leadership Concentration
DML-801 How the Nature of the Church Affects Strategies for Ministry (3 hours)
The nature and purpose of the ministry of the church is studied in-depth. What are the implications for the minister as a servant of God to the congregation and to the community? Students develop personal goals and strategies and they will also define the general and specific goals of their churches. These are evaluated and revised in light of the theological implications.
DML-802 Becoming a Leader Who Can Lead Effectively (3 hours)
Students interact with literature, the seminar participants and leaders in the
DML-811 Developing Leaders: A Philosophy and Strategy for Leadership Training (3 hours)
Students are exposed to a wide spectrum of leadership theory and practice. The need for various levels of leadership requires various models for training leaders. These various training models will be supported by leadership development theory and practice. A direct outcome will be a better understanding of one’s own leadership style and philosophy as well as practical tools for mentoring new leaders along the way.
DML-812 Developing People: The Backbone of Leadership (3 hours)
Whatever the relationship – small groups, marriage, parenting, staff, difficult people, etc. – effective leaders develop people. They don’t simply use people to accomplish a goal. They develop people as part of the process. To develop people they must understand people. Students are tested in various areas to help them determine their strengths in understanding and developing people as well as their own need for development. If leaders do not develop their people the resources for ministry will not grow.
DML-813 Leading and Managing the Church and Parachurch (3 hours)
What makes a good leader? What makes a good manager? What are the differences between leading and managing? Good leaders and good managers complement each other and both are needed to accomplish the mission of the church. This seminar develops each student’s ability to lead and manage in a way that produces health and growth in a Christian organization.
DML-814 Pastoral Leadership in the 21st Century (3 hours)
This seminar focuses on how the pastor as leader can improve effectiveness as the church’s direction-setter and overseer of the decision-making process. By means of the reading, assignments, class discussion, lectures and pastoral consultants, the students analyze and improve their leadership skills for the benefit of their own congregations. Topics include how to (1) use power properly to increase ministerial effectiveness, (2) communicate the church’s vision, (3) organize and direct the essential components of the church, (4) influence people for greater Christian growth, and (5) encourage staff and congregation morale.
DML-815 Developing Interpersonal Relations in Organizations through Conflict Management (3 hours)
Interpersonal relations are critical to Christian organizations. Conflict can destroy them if not managed. But relationships can be built out of conflict. Students will develop a biblical and theological under-standing of conflict, styles of conflict management to reduce conflict, negotiation approaches and principles for organizational handling of conflict.
DML-816 Addressing the Ethical Issues that Make or Break Christian Ministries (3 hours)
Organizations have failed because they failed to deal with developing ethical issues. Case studies in modern ethics help to apply ethics to Christian organizations. Foundation and theories of ethics must be related to the Bible, the marketplace and the modern organization.
DML-817 Strategic Planning for Accomplishing Mission Goals (3 hours)
Students study visionary planning and implementation for Christian organizations as they interact with issues of contextualization, cross-cultural communication, fund-raising, board policy, marketing and assessment, and organizational change. A strategic plan must take every aspect of the organization into consideration if the mission of the organization is to be fulfilled. It must also be flexible because circumstances constantly change.
DML-818 Leading Change (3 hours)
When a vision is established and strategic planning is done, how does one go about leading people through the change process in such a way that change actually happens? What are the dynamics of change? How does one lead through the process of change and keep people on board? These and other questions will be addressed in this seminar.
DML-819 Building Christian Community through Missional Small Groups (3 hours)
What is authentic Christian community that is missional? How can small groups within a congregation, parachurch, or Christian NGO environment develop, function and grow as authentic missional communities? This seminar will explore biblical foundations of Christian missional community, as well as historical and contemporary perspectives which include small group, team building, ministry and short-term mission group dynamics, along with practical methodologies for implementation in US and global contexts.
DML-820 Organize for Life and Ministry (3 hours)
Organizing for life and ministry is not about time management but about life management. We must manage our life to manage our time. We must “use what we’ve got” in time since we never have more time. Therefore, we reduce what we do to fit the time we have and trust God for the rest. We must learn to work with God and be transparent, which saves a lot of time and energy. This seminar also counts as a core elective for Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry (DMP course code) and Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation (DMS course code).
DML-890 Independent Study in Executive Leadership (3 hours)
An independent study in leadership may be arranged with an appropriate professor with the approval of the D.Min. Director. Only two independent studies or course transfers from another seminary may be included in the student’s course work.
Leadership in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry Concentration
For core electives, also see DML-820
DMP-801 Leading through Preaching/Communication (3 hours)
Leading well requires that biblical truth be persuasively communicated so that people can understand it and will live it. People need instruction that ties the truth of Scripture together with their church’s philosophy of ministry. For this to happen, the church’s mission must have a unifying theme that is pervasive in weekly preaching. Students learn to communicate vision, mission, values and purpose through a normal year’s preaching.
DMP-811 Relevant Biblical Preaching I (3 hours)
For preaching to be relevant as God intends it must first be biblical. Some of the questions addressed are: How does one select and study a passage to discover the exegetical idea? How does one take this exegetical idea and develop a homiletical idea with a biblical purpose? How can the sermon be shaped to carry out that purpose?
DMP-812 Relevant Biblical Preaching II (3 hours)
Preaching must not only be biblical, it must be relevant. The gulf between the biblical world and the modern world must be bridged. Biblical truth must be applied to the everyday life of the audience. Students will examine the communication process and analyze the audiences to which they preach in order to structure sermons according to the listeners’ needs.
DMP-813 Using Narrative Preaching to Raise Interest and Improve Retention (3 hours)
People in today’s culture are constantly exposed to narrative media. Many people may better listen to and remember a familiar narrative style of presentation than the traditional didactic one. Narrative literature comprises much of the biblical material and demands a special hermeneutic to understand its message. The sermon can also be structured in a narrative style.
DMP-815 Preaching Creatively to Help People Listen (3 hours)
The use of storytelling, extended illustration and various approaches to preaching develops a more interesting delivery. The seminar is intended to enhance creativity in sermon style and increase the student’s ability to read Scripture well.
DMP-816 Expository Preaching of Old Testament Narrative (3 hours)
Narrative preaching and preaching narrative scripture are different. The first is preaching in a narrative style. The second is preaching a narrative passage. One can preach a narrative passage in a narrative style, but also preach a narrative passage in other styles. However one preaches, the keys to preaching narrative scripture must be grasped. This seminar focuses on the development and delivery of expository sermons from O.T. narrative passages.
DMP-821 Ministering to Adults with Diverse Needs (3 hours)
Adults have unique needs. A model will be developed for ministering to adults in light of the unique needs of different adult learners: young, middle, senior, singles, and single parents. Adults desire ministry that addresses the needs that they have, not the needs that others have.
DMP-822 Building a Church of People With Purpose (3 hours)
It is not sufficient for leaders to know where they are going. For a church to be healthy and move forward the people must know where they are going. Students will study the principles for building a church of people who have a sense of purpose.
DMP-823 Relating Theology and Culture (3 hours)
In a world wallowing in relativism, the church and individual Christians must be called back to biblical values as the only foundation for any genuine and lasting impact on their culture. The church must respond to the current debate on culture wars and the church’s place in modern society. Christian leaders must understand both theology and culture if they are to communicate Christian principles in a way that will be understood by people whose thinking has been molded by cultural relativism rather than the Bible.
DMP-825 Navigating the Minefields of Ministry (3 hours)
There is a need to step away from the daily pressure of public Christian service and observe some of the personal dimensions of life in leadership. Engaging in self-examination through dialogue with peers and class instructors helps students see themselves more clearly. Formulating ideas and plans for the future that might make leadership more sustainable and satisfying is the goal.
DMP-826 A Systems Approach to Churches and Organizations (3 hours)
Churches and organizations are not a group of people, they are a complex whole. They are interrelated in a system that includes interactions and processes. You never deal with one person, for that person interacts with others and affects the whole. Understanding the whole is necessary to effectively address changes, transitions, and conflict.
DMP-890 Independent Study in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry (3 hours)
An independent study in pastoral ministries may be arranged with an appropriate professor with the approval of the D.Min. Director. Only two independent studies or transfer of credits from another seminary may be included in the student’s course work.
Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation
For core electives, also see DML-820
DMS-801 Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation (3 hours)
(Required Seminar)
Individual and corporate spiritual formation in community leads to mission in the world. Students learn how to follow God’s unique path to move into this kind of community. This seminar emphasizes leading entire communities in spiritual formation out of the leader’s own formation while respecting where everyone is in their spiritual journey. Ministry is the focus, and spiritual formation becomes the means to God’s end.
DMS-811 Integrating Spiritual and Leadership Principles (3 hours)
Areas of struggles for Christian leaders include spiritual formation and leadership principles. Effective leadership involves properly integrating the two. Divorcing the two results in spiritual leaders who can’t lead and leaders who cause things to happen without developing spiritually dynamic people. Leaders are needed who are strong in both areas and can integrate them.
DMS-812 How to Develop a Biblically Based Spiritual Journey (3 hours)
With its serious attention to doctrine and action, evangelicalism appears to have under-emphasized the inner life. One of the results is that Christians have often been left without direction in developing a personal spiritual journey. This can lead in non-biblical directions. An integrated model of theology, spirituality and care-giving will be developed. This model can then be used for a biblically based spiritual journey.
DMS-813 Spiritual Mentoring: The Ministry of Evangelical Soul Care (3 hours)
God is leading the church today to recapture the Christian ministry of soul care that offers rich resources for spiritual growth in wholeness and holiness. This seminar explores the biblical and theological basis for spiritual mentoring or soul care, and develops a sound approach to growing disciplines in relationship with Christ, in practical obedience, and in fruitfulness of life.
DMS-814 Ministry Effectiveness Through Personal Growth in Christian Spirituality (3 hours)
Neglecting the inner life in our drive to succeed has forced us to repair what has been neglected: lives, marriages and careers wounded by a lack of preventative care and cure of souls (spirituality). Spiritual development that experiences the joy and power of the Spirit comes through the study of Scripture and historic models of spiritual life and nurture. Experiencing heart-intimacy with God, a contemplative lifestyle, spiritual disciplines and spiritual direction can lead to recovering the joy and power of the Spirit in personal life and leadership.
DMS-815 Interpersonal and Corporate Spiritual Formation (3 hours)
Spiritual formation emphasizes the spiritual disciplines necessary to develop a relationship with God that helps us become more like him. But spiritual formation is not just a matter of a disciplined person developing spiritually without the help of others. Our interaction with others and our corporate worship and ministry work together to form us spiritually. The practice of giving and receiving grace is basic to spiritual formation. This seminar is about leadership focused on making these things happen.
DMS-816 Spiritual Formation Evangelism (3 hours)
The seminar integrates evangelism with spiritual formation/discipleship and considers their interrelationship from biblical, philosophical, and theoretical perspectives. It will explore spiritually directed pragmatic ideas for effective implementation in the local church. This integrated approach prepares non-Christians to seamlessly move into Christian spiritual formation / discipleship once they accept Christ.
DMS-817 Developing Leadership Teams through Spiritual Retreats (3 Hours)
People change gradually, but the direction can be set quickly through a spiritual retreat. A long retreat can teach the rhythms of grace, engagement in ministry and disengage-ment from ministry, to form a pattern of restoration which can be repeated in the life of the individual and teams throughout the year. This changes life together from our frantic activity to trust in God’s leading. Combining this retreat with a post-retreat year-long plan reinforcing the learning conceptualized at the retreat can become the reality of everyday ministry.
DMS-890 Independent Study in Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation (3 hours)
An independent study in Leadership in Community Spiritual Formation may be arranged with an appropriate professor with the approval of the D.Min. Director. Only two independent studies or transfers from another seminary may be included in the student’s course work.
Mentoring Courses
DMM-801 Effective Mentoring Relationships (1 hour) (Required for MFC Students)
This one-year of mentoring begins with an 8-week online course designed to assist students and their mentors in developing a biblical and theological framework for personal development in a mentored relationship. Through the mentored ministry experience the student learns how to grow in the context of community as well as develop a strategy for mentoring others.
Each of the following has a mentored option explained in the syllabus.
DMR-802 Ministry Evaluation Learning Contract (Mentored Option) (1 hr)
More student directed but includes an evaluation of the student’s ministry through the eyes of the people they serve with mentors sharing in the evaluation. It is designed to help surface issues to be addressed, one of which might become the basis for a project and thesis.
DMR-803 Research Implemented Learning Contract (Mentored Option) (1 hour;not required)
There are people who have a vested interest in how ministry is currently being done. To make changes they must be motivated to change. This one-year mentored learning experience identifies who the stakeholders are in the current ministry and who will be impacted by changes being considered. Then strategies to motivate them to accept the changes will be developed.
DMR-806 Thinking Systems in Ministry Learning Contract – (Mentored Option) (1 hour)
To understand a church or organization it is necessary to see it as a system rather than a collection of individuals. With their mentors, students will learn to “think systems” in order to discover the systemic structures at work within their church or organization, understand the complex interactions that occur among elements of the system, and identify possible points of intervention to bring change.
Research Courses
DMR-801 Research Methods and Strategies – Developing Ministry Through Research (3 hours)
This seminar is designed to assist students in developing their D.Min. project and thesis. It will assist students in developing the project title paper and proposal, finding and evaluating available resources, designing the project, evaluating the results, and writing the thesis. The development of the thesis will be presented and its various chapters explained. Topics include quantitative and qualitative research, sampling, library research, developing operational definitions and instructional objectives, administering tests, conducting surveys, and guidelines for writing. This course must be taken as one of the last two seminars.
DMR-802 Ministry Evaluation Learning Contract (1 hour)
This learning contract helps students evaluate their ministry (strengths and weaknesses) through the eyes of their people in order to determine what project and thesis might strengthen their ministry. Deciding what to do for a project is very difficult without knowing what is needed in ministry. Learning from others makes it much easier. This learning contract may be done individually or with mentors.
DMR-803 Research Implementation Learning Contract (1 hour)
Students must keep in mind throughout their thesis research how their project will be implemented. This involves considering the concerns of the stakeholders who will be involved in implementing (or at least supporting) the project that develops from the student’s research. Keeping these people in mind can be the difference between implementing and not being able to implement your project effectively. This learning contract may be done individually or with mentors.
DMR-806 Thinking Systems in Ministry Learning Contract (1 hour)
To understand a church or organization it is necessary to see it as a system rather than a collection of individuals. Students will learn to “think systems” in order to discover the systemic structures at work within their church or organization, understand the complex interactions that occur among elements of the system, and identify possible points of intervention to bring change.
DMR-890 Studies in Project and Thesis (no credit)
This week long workshop is occasionally offered for those who are struggling with their project and thesis.
DMR-901 Project and Thesis (4 hrs)
This summative project enables students to make a significant contribution to ministry. Their thesis records the research done to address a significant need in their ministry. Their project is focused on addressing that need, and is based upon the research. This initial registration is for four of the seven hrs of credit. (Students must register in the term following their last seminar.)
DMR-902 Project and Thesis Continuation (no credit)
Each subsequent term after students have registered for their project and thesis (through the final term of their sixth program year), they must register that they are continuing to work on their project and thesis and pay a continuation fee of $250. This non-credit continuation allows students who have registered for the project and thesis (DMR-901) to continue to be active in the program. (Students must register the term following DMR-901 and every term thereafter until the end of their sixth program year or the term in which they will graduate. If the graduation term falls before the end of their sixth program year, students will register for DMR-904 in the final term. Students who have not graduated by the end of the sixth program year must request a program extension and, if granted, will then register for DMR-903 Extended Continuation, until the term prior to their graduation. Consecutive enrollment is required.
DMR-903 Project and Thesis Extended Continuation (no credit)
Students who have been granted a program extension must register for Extended Continuation each term beginning with the first term of their seventh program year and pay an extended continuation fee of $500. Students must register each term until the term prior to their graduation. Consecutive enrollment is required.
DMR-904 Project and Thesis Completion (3 hrs)
In the term when students complete and defend their thesis the student will register for the final three-hours of their project and thesis. Students should not register for this until they are sure that they will be completing their work and graduating in that term. (Students must also complete the Application for Graduation and submit it to the Registrar's Office no later than the deadline noted on the form in order to graduate that term.)
