Doctor of Ministry Degree

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Degree Description

The Doctor of Ministry program at Lexington Seminary is an advanced professional degree, designed to strengthen ministry practice and leadership in the midst of today's rapidly changing cultures. The program seeks to train students to be critical interpreters of culture and theology, skilled practitioners, and faithful leaders in ministry. D.Min. studies call for rigorous academic work within the context of collegiality, spiritual formation, and a high level of commitment to the life and witness of the Church. Our goal is to integrate an advanced level of theological reflection and the practice of ministry, thereby raising the standards of ministry and contributing to the continuing renewal and mission of the Church.

Admissions Standards

1. GPA of 3.25 is required for admission
2. GPA of 3.00 must he maintained while in the program.
3. An autobiographical essay of no more than 2-3 pages, single-spaced, is required as part of the application papers.
4. A Ministry Reflection Paper is also submitted as part of the application.

Reflection Paper Details

The seminary seeks to determine the applicant's capacity to reflect theologically on her/his ministry experience; to articulate a biblical/theological response to the ministry situation; and to express these things clearly in writing. This will introduce the faculty to early indicators for success in the D.Min. program.

The applicant must write a paper of no more than eight typed, double-spaced pages in which she/he reflects on a recent experience in ministry.

The paper must include the following elements:

1. A brief description of the ministry experience, providing only the amount of detail essential to one's later reflection.
2. A discussion of what one wanted to accomplish in ministry in this situation and what in fact, one believes was or was not accomplished and why.
3. The identification of the main theological questions or issues involved in the case, including the development of a biblical/theological response.

The paper, to be read by selected members of the D.Min. committee, should reflect the applicant's potential for doing doctoral level work. It will be used for admission purposes only.

1. Grades
2. Letter grades are given.
   1. Are based on a series of criteria, including the following standard assessment for doctoral level work: D.Min. students at LTS will demonstrate their abilities to do critical thinking and sound theological reflection by:
   2. doing careful, thorough research,
   3. interpreting evidence accurately,
   4. identifying salient arguments,
   5. thoughtfully analyzing and evaluating alternative points of view,
   6. drawing warranted, non-fallacious conclusions,
   7. explaining assumptions and reasons,
   8. justifying key results and procedures,
   9. being fair-minded in following where evidence and reason lead
   10. demonstrating integrative thinking,
   11. writing with correctness, clarity, and coherence.

—Adapted from Peter A. and Noreen C. Facione, Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric (Millbrae, Californina: California Academic Press, 1994).

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Core Studies (8 hours) - to be completed in the first year

DMIN 850- Research and Writing Seminar (1 week intensive - 2 hours) This course will explore the meanings and techniques of theological research and academic writing. Students will utilize various methodologies, tools, and sources appropriate to theological research and to correct, coherent writing.

DMIN 851 - Interpreting Leadership and Vocation in Ministry (2 week intensive - 3 hours) An inquiry into the theology of vocation with particular attention to how the student understands leadership and ministry. Issues to be addressed include the theological foundations of vocation, of the nature of pastoral leadership, and of the work of ordained ministry.

DMIN 852 - Interpreting Church and Ministry in Cultural Contexts (2 week intensive - 3 hours) An inquiry designed to enable students to develop an advanced theology of church and ministry that is informed by the traditions in which they stand, faithful to their own self-understandings, and relevant to diverse and contemporary cultural contexts.

Area Studies (12 hours)

Four two-week intensive course taught by faculty in January and June with one course in each area, beginning in the second year. Students must choose one course from each of these three areas, plus one additional course in one of the areas for a total of four area studies.

• Bible, Theology, Ethics
• Church History, Interfaith and Cross-Cultural Studies
• Christian Ministries: Church Music, Educational Ministry, Homiletics, Pastoral Care, Practice of Ministry, Worship

Elective Studies (6 hours)

Two elective studies may be chosen in any of these three areas. For these two courses only, Directed Study is possible as are enhanced M.Div. classes. Enrollment in Directed Studies requires prior approval by the D.Min. director and the dean.

Students may transfer three hours of elective studies credit into the program from an accredited institution, as approved by the director and the dean.

Enhanced M.Div. classes

The "conversion" of an M.Div. course to D.Min. status should include:

1. Approval by the professor and the D.Min. director,
2. Attendance and full participation in the M.Div. class, including completion of all M.Div. requirements,
3. Additional requirements, assigned by the professor, such as readings, book reviews, case studies, reflection papers, or classroom presentations,
4. An advanced level of theological thinking,
5. A major research paper/project, approximately 30-40 pages in length, as assigned by the professor.

As needed, the D.Min. director may consult with the professor during the course of the semester in order to assess the level of requirements in relationship to other D.Min. course requirements.

DMIN 858 - The Thesis/Project (6 hours)

After completing 17 hours in the D.Min. program, the student will apply to the D.Min. committee and the faculty for D.Min. candidacy. The Candidacy Application will include a Thesis/Project Proposal (three pages, single-spaced, plus a detailed and partially-annotated bibliography) and a designation of remaining courses.
The Thesis/Project should arise from the practice of ministry in the congregation or church agency served by the doctoral candidate, and it must represent an advanced level of theology, research, and practice. The goal is to require candidates to express their calling as practical theologians in defining and reflecting on an issue of significance in the life of the church or church agency.
The Thesis/Project must reflect substantive, scholarly research in the area of inquiry. Depending upon the nature of the Thesis/Project, candidates may be required to enlist a collaborative team of leaders from the congregational or agency context in which they serve.

Models for the Thesis/Project are:

Action/Reflection - The development and implementation of a program in a congregational or church agency setting, with particular emphasis on the theological grounding and the critical evaluation of the program.

Extended Research Essay - An inquiry into a topic related to the integration of theology and the practice of ministry in a congregation or church agency.

Following approval of the Thesis/Project Proposal by the faculty, a faculty member will be assigned as advisor for the paper. In advance of the seminary's requirement that the paper be submitted to the D.Min. director by February 1 of the proposed graduation year, the candidate is required to submit chapter drafts to her/his advisor according to the deadlines set by the advisor.