Doctor of Ministry

Programme Overview

The Doctor of Ministry programme is a professional program intended for men and women actively engaged in full-time Christian Ministry. The program’s primary purpose is to enhance the participants’ professional competence in the particular area of their gifts and calling. The program aims to encourage theological reflection on the practice of ministry. It seeks to integrate learning into the context of each participant’s ministry and can be shaped to meet individual needs.Each Cohort consists of select individuals from a variety of ministry backgrounds. The group also provides an incredible peer learning environment−one that will challenge and motivate participants to take their spirituality and ministries to the next level.

The purpose of this program is to develop strong Pentecostal leaders who are sensitive to the Spirit and prepared to meet the ever-increasing demands of contemporary ministry needs. Spirit-anointed, effective leadership. If leaders expect to remain on the cutting edge of complex, demanding, and ever-changing ministry, they must prepare themselves noThe SABC D.Min. experience focuses on giving participants the opportunity to expand their influence by growing into ministers who are:

  • Self-Aware: a consistent commitment to cultivating the disciplines of self-leadership, personal spirituality, and integrity
  • Holistically Pentecostal: a deep historical and theological appreciation of the Pentecostal-Charismatic tradition leading to a distinctively Spirit-empowered ministry
  • Professionally Mature: an increasing competency for effective leadership, preaching or other ministry needs
  • Academically Integrative: a growing ability to integrate insights from biblical and practical theology, with the cutting-edge knowledge from the social and behavioral sciences
  • Globally Aware: an awareness of the implications of globalization for Christian ministry
  • Peer Networking: a mutually beneficial networking of long-term personal commitment with other ministry professionals
  • Missionally Engaged: a renewed emphasis on the priorities of evangelism and world missions in the context of the mission of the church
  • Contributing to Research: an enduring service to the church at large through the publication of a Professional Project.

Participants remain in their ministry while engaged in coursework. Requirements are accomplished primarily through online interactions with minimal or no on-site expectations.

This 36-credit program consists of a research methods module of 2-credits, eight modules of 3-credits each, a Project design module of 2-credits, and the final DMin project (8-credits). Thus, in its entirety, the degree will take approximately three and a half to four years to complete. New cohorts begin every July but participants can enter into the program with any module.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Ministry programme must meet the following requirements:

  • The applicant must have earned a Master of Divinity degree or its academic equivalent from an ATA accredited or a recognized institution with a minimum of ‘B+’ average.
  • The applicant must demonstrate ability to do doctoral level work.
  • The applicant must have had at least five years of full-time ministry experience following the completion of the first graduate theological degree.
  • The applicant must currently be involved in a full-time ministry context (pastor, teacher, missionary, denominational or para-church organizational leader, chaplain, evangelist, counselor, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

Grow in Spiritual Maturity
Deepen one’s theological appreciation of the Pentecostal tradition. Cultivate disciplines of self-leadership

Demonstrate Leadership Competency
Effectively apply new knowledge and skills to ministry practice. Become a catalyst for transformation

Exhibit Scholarly Integration
Utilize insights of biblical and practical theology including the social-behavioral sciences to enhance ministry effectiveness. Develop professional writing skills to contribute to the church at large

Utilize Ministry Networks
Develop relational health through mutually beneficial, long-term personal connections. Create support systems for sustained impact

Programme Duration

The degree will normally require four years to complete, including the project. This schedule is set to avoid unnecessary pressure on the participant’s responsibilities to family and ministry. In some cases, an extension may be granted by the Doctor of Ministry Committee.

Programme Schedule

The Doctor of Ministry is an in-service degree program meaning that it is completed while participants remain active in ministry. The programme is designed in modules offered three times a year. 

    • Each module involved two weeks of pre-reading, eight weeks of online engagements of one day every week, and four weeks of post-module research and writing papers that apply course materials to participants’ ministries. 

 

    • After the successful completion of the eight modules, the participants proceed to the Project design module followed by the D.Min. project.