Catalog 2012-2014 - Anderson University School of Theology

Degree Programs — Doctor of Ministry, continued
Doctor of Ministry
Working within the framework and focus of the mission statement of the School of Theology,
“to form women and men for the ministry of biblical reconciliation,” the philosophy of the Doctor of
Ministry program is as follows:
All the research, coursework, interaction, and reflection of the Doctor of Ministry degree are
designed to enhance the professional competence of seasoned ministers. The focus of the degree is on
the ministerial settings where they presently serve. The degree is to be understood as the development
of a more carefully defined ministerial role in the local setting rather than merely as an enhanced
academic status. Although academic criteria are crucial to the program, the chief aim is to assist each
participant in both the critical analysis and further enrichment of his or her ministry. The program
provides the context in which professional ministers can hone their analytical and reflective skills. They
do so in conjunction both with other professional ministers and with academics whose focus is on the
practice of ministry. The purpose of this professional and academic collaboration is to make significant
contributions to the field of professional ministry in general.
The Doctor of Ministry degree is the only doctoral-level program that requires ministry in a
local setting. The Doctor of Ministry degree is the terminal degree for the practice of ministry. It
necessitates partnership with a local community of faith. Partnership is a key word in the Anderson
Doctor of Ministry philosophy — partnership with the local ministerial setting, partnership with the
local professional ministry, partnership with the academic community, and partnership with other
professionals who are participants in doctoral studies.
It is intended that all graduates of the Doctor of Ministry program will have enhanced professional
competence in the practice of ministry, with a focus on scholarship, spiritual formation, and service.
This is what we refer to as The Anderson Way: an intentional integration of serious scholarship, deep
spirituality, and competent service.
PROGRAM GOALS
• Goal 1: Doctor of Ministry degree recipients will give evidence that their professional
lives as ministers have been enhanced in terms of ministerial effectiveness.
• Goal 2: The congregations (or other ministerial settings) of Doctor of Ministry degree
recipients will give evidence that their corporate lives have been enhanced in terms of
missional effectiveness.
• Goal 3: Doctor of Ministry degree recipients will give evidence that their professional
lives have been enhanced in terms of spiritual depth in ministry.
• Goal 4: Doctor of Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of an enhanced praxis for
ministry.
ADMISSION POLICIES
• The applicant must meet all general standards for admission to the School of Theology,
as set forth in the current catalog.
• The applicant must hold the Master of Divinity degree, or its equivalent (72 hours),
from an ATS-accredited theological school or its educational equivalent from an institution
of higher education accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council of Higher
Education Accreditation or approved by a Canadian provincial quality assurance agency.
Applicants should contact the Doctor of Ministry office for the specific course content for
the M.Div. equivalency.
• The applicant must provide official transcripts and references demonstrating ability to do
above average academic work. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required.
• The applicant must have been in a professional ministerial setting for at least three
24 Anderson University School of Theology Catalog, 2014-2015