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Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora

Purpose

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is the highest professional degree for those in parish or related ministries. It is designed for educated, experienced practitioners who desire to stimulate renewal in themselves and their ministries through the integration of their experience with advanced training, research, and reflection. The DMin is distinctive from academic doctorates such as the PhD and ThD in that its primary focus is on the practice of ministry. The DMin is also distinct from other professional degrees such as the EdD and the PsyD in that it builds on the three-year Master of Divinity (MDiv) and at least three years of post-MDiv ministry experience.

The Doctor of Ministry in Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora focuses on forming Leaders who are interested in the integration of Christian spirituality and the richness of African culture in a global ecclesial context. 

The Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora DMin program is organized around the foci of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ life and ministry which includes: 

  • Leadership development: Students develop a plan over four semesters that details their ministry philosophy and interest in cultural diversity. This plan demonstrates the integration of personal and ministry narratives, along with Christian leadership values. And, they develop mentoring skills with habits and practices for sustainable leadership. The final version of the plan will locate their own ministries within a global context. 
  • Communication techniques: Students analyze and practice TD Jakes’ method of preaching to enhance their own art of communication. Learning to use the discipline and skills of responsible biblical exegesis that is sensitive to community situational awareness, they will foster an innovative approach to homiletics as guided by the Holy Spirit. 
  • Innovative ministry experience: Students pursue research topics under the supervision of a faculty advisor in subjects arising from their ministry context. They meet Christian leaders who transform lives, empower communities, and engage in social entrepreneurship. Students demonstrate an advanced understanding of a cultural blend and comprehensive awareness of the global ecclesial context influenced by the African diaspora.
  • Expanded perspective: Students will be required to participate in three ‘Advance’ face-to-face intensives: 1) one African Advance during their enrollment in the DMin Program, in locations such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, or Nigeria; 2) one of the annual International Leadership Summits (ILS), to participate in sessions with guest lecturers from a wide variety of disciplinary, theological, and demographic perspectives; and 3) one of the annual Jakes Divinity School Symposiums in Dallas, TX. Students will be challenged with core readings and supplemental materials. From a Texas pastor to an Asian non-government organization, students explore how to join God's work within the African diaspora in light of their own context. Because the world is made smaller and smaller through migrations and online technologies, it is crucial for the ministry leader to expand her or his leadership skills and perspective to respond to global concerns with contextual and social awareness. Students will demonstrate their expanded perspective through integrative reflection reports.  

The delivery system of the Doctor of Ministry in Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora program includes participation in several seminars, conferences, or 'field research' experiences around the country or abroad; coursework with faculty specialists, personal academic mentoring by select faculty advisors; online interactivity with cohort members and professors; three (one international and two US based) face-to-face intensives; as well as reading, reflection, research, and writing.

Degree Outcomes

Graduates of the Spirit-filled Global Leadership in the African Diaspora Doctor of Ministry track will:

  1. Exhibits a critical understanding of the dynamics of African leadership and its ethical application.
  2. Demonstrates effective spirit-filled, cross-cultural preaching and communication skills.
  3. Gain skills and competencies in applied doctoral research.
  4. Contribute to the understanding and practice of ministry through the completion of a doctoral-level project.

Graduates serve in roles such as pastors in small towns, pastors of megachurches, mission pastors, international senior pastors, and leaders of NGOs, charities, or educational institutions. 

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Ministry program must hold an ATS-accredited MDiv degree or meet the seminary's MDiv-equivalency requirements†, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

  • Completion of the DMin application form and payment of application fee.
  • Submission of one official transcript from each college, seminary, or university attended.
  • Curriculum vitae or resumé.
  • Documentation of ministry experience that demonstrates that the applicant possesses the level of competence and reflection appropriate for advanced, professional ministerial studies. This is normally reflected in the applicant's documentation of full-time participation in ministry for at least three years after the completion of the MDiv degree.
  • Three letters of reference (as specified in admissions materials).
  • Five self-assessment essays that outline the applicant's spiritual pilgrimage, leadership experience, purpose for pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree, and research interests.
  • An academic writing sample.
  • An entrance interview with the director or associate director of the DMin program (by invitation only). In some instances, a second interview may be required by the Partnership institution.

Non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL score of 80 (Internet-based) or IELTS 6.5 and complete the Declaration of Finance. For more information, international applicants can reference the International Graduate Admissions page.

Equivalency Procedures

An applicant who holds a master's degree but does not hold the MDiv degree from an ATS-accredited seminary may qualify for admission to the DMin program by meeting the ATS requirement of an educational equivalent. The criteria below serve as a guide for assessing equivalency:

  • The ability to thoughtfully interpret scripture and the theological tradition of one’s ministry context,
  • The capacity to understand and adapt one’s ministry to the cultural context,
  • A basic self-understanding of one’s ministerial identity and vocational calling,
  • A readiness to engage in ongoing personal and spiritual formation for one’s ministry,
  • An accredited master’s degree (or its educational equivalent) in an area related to one’s ministry setting or vocational calling, and
  • Significant ministerial experience that enables the applicant to engage as a ministry peer with other students in this advanced professional doctorate.

Upon submission of official transcripts from all prior graduate work, the DMin program director or associate director will assess the correspondence between the applicant's educational portfolio and the MDiv standard and make a recommendation to the DMin Committee concerning the applicant's equivalency status. Applicants needing extra graduate-level coursework to attain equivalency status may be admitted to the program with the stipulation that the appropriate 'leveling' coursework be completed to graduate.

Note:

  • Applicants not holding the MDiv and requiring 18 hours of MDiv equivalent leveling work or less may be admitted into the program.
  • Applicants with greater than 18 hours of MDiv equivalent leveling work will not be permitted to enter the DMin program until the remaining amount of required leveling work has been reduced to 18 semester hours of MDiv equivalent leveling work or less.
  • Students may complete the 'leveling' work at Portland Seminary or any other ATS accredited institution. Course grade points must average a minimum of 3.0.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit from another doctoral program may be allowed up to a maximum of 18 semester hours. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. 

Residence Requirements

All work leading to the DMin must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires the approval of the director. Program extension requests must be received prior to the conclusion of the sixth year. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Because of the cohort model used for this DMin program, students must maintain full attendance throughout each module experience. However, a student in good standing who must interrupt his or her studies for compelling reasons may petition the director for a leave of absence of not more than one year. Students who discontinue enrollment without an official leave of absence will be withdrawn and required to apply for readmission.

Course Requirements

The Doctor of Ministry program requires three years and the completion of 36 semester hours of coursework as a minimum for graduation. A maximum of 16 semester hours of coursework may be completed during one calendar year unless a student takes an approved leave of absence or works out an alternative plan with the director. 

The six-course project research sequence is completed over three years. Of the total hours required for the degree, 16 hours are in prescribed program-themed 'taught' courses and 20 hours in the doctoral project research and design sequence. 

The program also requires participation in three ‘advance’ face-to-face intensives. A fee is attached to the ‘taught’ course offered that semester and most meals, lodging, and ground transportation to assigned tours. All transportation costs round trip from the country of origin and back from the visiting country are the responsibility of the student.

Doctoral Project

The Jakes Divinity School (JDS) doctoral program includes the design and completion of an applied doctoral project. The project addresses both the nature and the practice of ministry. As such, the goal is not to offer a unique contribution to ministry in general, but to apply theological research skills to a significant and contextualized real-world ministry need, problem, or opportunity (NPO).

The program uses a 3-year, qualitative approach combining bibliographic and field research to explore the NPO and create an effective solution or response. Students will not only address a current challenge in a ministry setting, but will also gain skills for addressing ministry challenges going forward after graduation.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with the Doctor of Ministry degree students must:

  • Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 36 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Achieve no grade lower than a B- in all core courses. If a grade of a C+ or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).
  • Fully participate in all face-to-face intensives.
  • Complete any additional MDiv equivalency courses, as may be required.
  • Oral presentation of the doctoral project 
  • Successfully defend the doctoral project.
  • Be recommended by Portland Seminary faculty and Jakes Divinity School for graduation from ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox University.

Curriculum Plan

Complete the following:
In this course, students are introduced to a historical overview of essential religious African traditions and their influences on African Christianity. It includes a historical examination of the origins of the faith of Jesus in Africa and the meaning of African artifacts in Christian religious life. Additional course fee may be required.
This course will assess leadership profiles of select historical and contemporary African and African American leaders. It will highlight their philosophy of leadership, their influence and accountability, and their leadership impact on their followers. Additional course fee may be required.
In this course, students will examine spirit-filled traditions that bridged the ethnic/racial divide. It will challenge students to rethink the impact of religion on racial problems in Africa and America - from Apartheid to Jim Crow. This course seeks to reveal the role the Holy Spirit movements have played in overcoming these historic challenges. Additional course fee may be required.
In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of effective cross-cultural preaching for today’s theological communicators. Students will analyze the TD Jakes method of preaching, which includes, but is not limited to, analysis of the biblical text, approaches for making the scripture relevant, and strategies for reaching global audiences. Additional course fee may be required.
Complete the following:
This course introduces research tools and library resources; develops academic writing skills and orients students to the overall doctoral research process. Students identify an initial ministry Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO), begin developing a working bibliography relevant to their research using library resources, and write a sample paper for critique and revision by course instructor. Students occasionally meet with the course instructor in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
This course serves as the primary opportunity for students to articulate, develop, and refine their project Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO). Following the approval of a semester research plan, students will engage in bibliographic and field research in order to present and analyze the foundational nature of the NPO in their context. This will constitute section one of the Project Proposal: Defining the NPO. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
This course enables students to research, explore, and synthesize the biblical and theological foundations relevant to their Project Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO) topic. Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Based on the student’s developing working bibliography, the main essay for this course will enable students to explore the NPO biblical and theological perspective. By the end of this course, students will also succinctly describe their NPO history and context and identify the artifact they will produce for their Doctoral Project. These elements will constitute section two of the Project Proposal. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
In this course, students will identify and consult with a Project Design Consultant (PDC) of their own choosing to assist with developing an appropriate design, including its scope and standards, for the Doctoral Project that addresses their ministry Need / Problem / Opportunity (NPO). Students prepare a semester research plan for Faculty Advisor approval. Next, students will also create a rough prototype of the proposed Doctoral Project to gain input from stakeholders in their ministry or vocational context. This work is documented in section three of the Proposal. The Proposal also identifies Doctoral Project parameters (scope and standards), audience, outcomes, and benchmarks for assessing effectiveness. Students prepare a draft final Proposal for Faculty Advisor approval and make a formal Presentation to the cohort and advisors. Students must obtain formal approval from their Faculty Advisor before beginning work on their formal Doctoral Project. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
Complete the following:
In this course, based on their approved Doctoral Project Proposal, students will develop their Doctoral Project according to the design standards for the chosen medium. By the end of this course, students will make substantial progress in creating the Project, articulate a plan for continued development of the Project after graduation, and craft an introduction to the Doctoral Project. Students demonstrate progress by submitting a Project Progress Report. Students meet with Faculty Advisor and Peer Group three times in online synchronous sessions. Evaluation: Pass/No Pass.
A final research course in which students submit their Doctoral Project and Launch Plan for oral examination by their Doctoral Committee. Once approved and remaining edits accomplished, students submit the completed Doctoral Project to be reviewed by the Doctoral Editor and archived in the University Digital Commons. Pass / No Pass.
To maintain enrollment until the doctoral project is complete. Pass / No Pass.
*Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the doctoral project continuation until completion. DMIN 965 is required for students who do not finish their doctoral research within the minimum 4 hours. DMIN 965 is repeatable each fall and spring semester until the Doctoral Project is finished and approved.