Ministry Leadership
The Ministry Leadership track is designed to equip students for greater ministry effectiveness in their respective area of leadership. Ministry leaders can concentrate their individualized plan of study in Church Planting, Pastoral Leadership, Family Ministries or customize their own concentration.
This is the most flexible track in that, of the 30 hours, only 9 of them are prescribed (or required). The other 21 hours are electives (which may include 3 to 6 hours of independent study courses). Students may choose an emphasis from those listed below if they would like a more prescribed course of study.
Applicants to the Ministry Leadership track must hold the Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree, or have academic preparation equivalent to the M.Div. degree. Applicants who hold a two-year professional master's degree in Christian or some other areas of religious education may need to earn additional graduate semester hours that are approved by the chair of the Department of Pastoral Ministries and the Registrar's Office before they will be admitted to candidacy for the D.Min. degree. These additional credits, distributed so as to approximate M.Div. equivalence, may be earned at Dallas Seminary, its extension centers, through external studies programs, or other accredited institutions. The applicant must have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability and shows promise of success in doctoral studies. If applicants in the Ministry Leadership track have not previously taken two years of Greek and one year of Hebrew at the graduate level, they are required to take leveling course to fulfill the language requirement.
Suggested Degree Breakdown
Year 1 - (12 hours)
- DM101 - The Ministry Leader (3 hours)
- DM102 - The Applied Research Project Development Seminar (3 hours) (Students will not be admitted until they have discussed dissertation research plans with the D.Min. Director and received permission to take the course.)
- DM(- - -) - Elective Course (3 hours)
- DM(- - -) - Elective Course (3 hours)
Year 2 - (12 hours)
- DM(- - -) - Elective Course (3 hours)
- DM(- - -) - Elective Course (3 hours)
- DM(- - -) - Elective Course (3 hours)
- DM901 - Independent Study: Literature Review (3 hours)
Year 3 - (6 hours)
- DM901 - Independent Study: Instrument Development (3 hours)
- DM103 - The Applied Research Project (3 hours)
- DM105 - The Applied Research Project Continued (1 hour)
Total Hours = 30
Notable Students/Graduates:
Scott Wooddell (D.Min. Graduate), Senior Pastor of Redeemer Bible Church
When I completed the Th.M. program in 1990 I eagerly jumped into the pastorate, but after 14 years of pastoral work, I had fallen into a rut. Enrolling in the D.Min. program re-sharpened and re-energized my ministry.
The D.Min. program offered practical course work which I was able to immediately apply to my ministry. The small classes gave me the opportunity to interact with some of today's best church leaders. Dr. Bruce Ewing helped me develop a discipleship course for my church, Dr. Bill Donahue guided me in crafting a small groups ministry and Dr. Ken Gangel's class on "Writing for Publication" enabled me to publish several articles. However, the best class was the week I spent in Israel with Dr. Doug Cecil. I now preach about places I've visited, adding vivid color to my sermons.
The D.Min. program has given me fresh ideas from some of today's best church leaders.
Richard Ferris (D.Min. Student), Pastor and Teacher of Faith Community Church
I've chosen the D.Min. to further hone ministry skills while continuing to serve. Each professor has expected the work to focus upon my church. As a result, the degree has benefited the congregation as much as it has benefited me. I have enjoyed discussing and brainstorming solutions to ministry problems with other men who are in similar situations.