City Mission and Ministry Cohort - Covenant Theological Seminary

“They shall build up
the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up
the former devastations;
they shall repair
the ruined cities,
the devastations
of many generations.”
—Isaiah 61:4
For more information, please
contact the admissions office:
1.800.264.8064
admissions@covenantseminary.edu
Presbyterian Church in America
12330 Conway Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63141
314.434.4044
www.covenantseminary.edu
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
City, Mission, & Ministry

THE PURPOSE
The City, Mission, and Ministry cohort is designed to
equip pastors, ministry teams, and other urban ministry
stakeholders to engage and deploy the resources of
Scripture, theology, and culture in order to cooperate
more fully with the Holy Spirit’s social work of constructing
local churches and signifying Christ’s wider
Kingdom rule in cities and metropolitan regions.
THE PLAN
Cohort participants will learn with and from one
another in a variety of cityscapes, challenging and
encouraging one another toward greater ministry
effectiveness in complex urban environments.
Scripture
Participants will strengthen their interpretative and
exegetical skills in order to recognize the pastoral aims
of biblical authors in shaping the covenantal identity
of their early audiences within their unique societies
and cultures. Following this pattern, participants
will craft sermons, lessons, and liturgies that reflect a
strong grasp of the biblical story line and a nuanced
awareness of the urban environments in which they
minister.
Theology
Students will construct a biblical theology of evangelical
urban renewal. First, participants will evaluate the
theologies of witness, justice, and reconciliation by
engaging the writings of Catholic social teaching and
civil rights leaders and select liberation theologians
in conversation with Calvin, Kuyper, Wolterstorff,
Crouch, and Hunter. Furthermore, the group will “do”
theology as they live, serve, and learn together with
God’s people who are serving in metro St. Louis.
Cultural Application
We will use case studies and other exercises to
cultivate leadership habits that nurture emotional,
relational, and cultural intelligence for forming the
church in the city as a learning organization. Furthermore,
students will learn to use both hard and soft
cultural research tools in order to understand their
unique city context. Finally, participants will draw on
the resources of Scripture, theology, and culture to
articulate a biblically faithful and culturally intelligent
missional Christian identity for themselves and their
unique urban congregations. The aim is sharp and
practical: a missional Christian identity that shapes
mission statements, core values, strategic and operational
objectives, job descriptions, and staffing plans
for their ministries.
THE REQUIREMENTS
Qualified applicants will hold a Master of Divinity
(MDiv) degree or its academic equivalent with a minimum
3.1 GPA from an ATS-accredited school as well
as three years of full-time ministry experience since
graduation. An MDiv equivalency program is available
for prospective participants with at least five years of
ministry experience. Auditors and other urban ministry
partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.
THE FACULTY
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Gregory Perry
Associate Professor of New Testament and
Director, City Ministry Initiative,
Covenant Theological Seminary
Additional Faculty:
Dr. Nelson Jennings
Executive Director,
Overseas Ministries Study Center
Dr. Darrin Patrick
Lead Pastor,
The Journey
Dr. Richard Pratt Jr.
President,
Third Millenium Ministries
Dr. Michael Williams
Professor of Systematic Theology,
Covenant Theological Seminary
Over the course of three years, many effective city
ministry practitioners from various cityscapes will help
facilitate in this cohort. Please contact the Doctor of
Ministry office for an up-to-date list of participating
faculty.