I began my Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) journey in August of 2024. In an effort to include you in my journey, this blog exists to reflect why I’m doing this, what I’m learning, and how this will impact our church.
Each post will have three sections: The Road Behind, The Present Road, and The Road Ahead.
The Road Behind
If you’ve read the previous blogs, you’ll know this started as a monthly blog. I’m changing that going forward, simply by the reality that while I may update monthly, school and life get so busy I have not made the time for that. The good news is, I’m busy! The bad news is…I’m busy. But I’m writing now, and those reading can have a full update.
Spring semester has come and gone (All A’s, for those who care). I took two courses: the first was Currencies of Influence, which looked at leadership in the church, particularly teams and elderships, as well as the call of the minister and what forms the minister in relationship to God and others. Power was a key discussion point, as you cannot lead without power, but Christian leaders are also called to service and humility. Kenosis was a popular term in class, this emptying of oneself like Jesus did when he did not choose equality with God, emptying himself to become man. The second course was called Theological Framework for Contemporary Ministry. That class focused on the Secular Age we live in, what that means for believers and non-believers, how spiritual mysticism plays a role today, what ancient Christian writers have to offer the church today, and, interestingly, the role of kenosis (emptying oneself) to love others. I read 9 books last semester, and now that I have taken 4 classes and registered for a 5th, it looks like each class is roughly 4-6 textbooks of reading and 4-6 papers to write.
A special feature of my last semester included an interview with a church member using what is called Appreciative Inquiry, where I as the interviewer ask positive questions, looking for the good. I.e. Tell me a positive memory about childhood; what is something you like about yourself? This helps in getting to know what people value and enjoy.The general pattern of zoom classes also holds true each semester: about every other week I have a 1.5 hour class on Zoom to discuss what we as students have been reading and writing.
The Present Road
I am registered for my two summer classes. One is simply an introduction to the D.Min project (dissertation). I’ll register and get a certification for how to survey people (this is done to learn about privacy, what can be cited, etc). I’ll also make a pitch for my dissertation project after reading past projects and reflecting on my desires for further research. The second class is called Missional Imagination and Change. I’ll read 4 books on church, leadership, and change. The first class is in early June, but two textbooks need to be read before then, so I’ll begin homework at the end of May.
At this point I have completed 4/10 core classes and am beginning the research for the dissertation.
The Road Ahead
As stated above, I have 6 classes to go – one this summer, two in the fall, two in the spring, one next summer. This summer, next fall, and next spring all incorporate a one-hour research credit where I continue to prepare for the D.Min. project.
Lipscomb University also staggers their D.Min cohorts – so the 6 men I had class with last year were in their final year. As I enter into my final year in the fall with my 7 cohort members, we’ll be joined by an incoming cohort that I’ll meet on Zoom in August, and in person next October when I do my next residency.
Instead of the Ph.D. dissertation, the D.Min. utilizes a project for the culmination of all I’ve learned. I’ll be putting things into practice at Northland and writing about the whole process. The whole church will be involved in this project – you’ll know what I’m doing once I figure it out! Project is scheduled for Fall 2026.
For now, I ask you to keep me in your prayers and offer anything you hope will encourage me on this journey. I hope to share much with you all through this process, and I pray that God transforms me beyond my wildest imagination. Thank you.