Apply to the Doctor of Ministry Program
Enrichment from individuals unlike oneself and intimacy in the community of study are two values that we cherish in the Anderson University Doctor of Ministry Studies Program. It would be possible for one of these values to be sacrificed for the other. For instance, the size of the program could be small and provide for great intimacy among the participants and with the faculty, but the diversity of the participants is missing. On the other hand, a program could be large with great diversity but the communal intimacy is missing. We are intentional about maintaining both. As a result, participants find themselves in an intimate community of study that has diversity: cultural, denominational, gender, racial, geographical, and professional.
The Doctor of Ministry degree represents a very high standard of professional preparation. Acceptance into the program requires the Master of Divinity or its equivalent (80-90 semester hours of master-level work), and at least three years of full time professional ministry following that work. This means, then, that in order to be accepted into the program, one would have at least six years of post-baccalaureate work, both academic and professional, and usually it is much more that this. The result is that the participants in Doctor of Ministry programs are by the very nature of things very likely to be seasoned ministers who bring to their work both a basic theological education and professional experience.
As the previous director of the Anderson program often emphasized, I too emphasize that we think of this as being the opportunity to make three contributions. First is the contribution the program makes to the professional enhancement of the participant in terms of his or her own scholarship, spirituality, and service. Second is the contribution that the participant's work makes to the ministerial setting in which he or she works. And third is the contribution the participant makes to the profession of ministry itself, as the findings of their project are made available to others interested in the same field.
I invite you to read the stories of participants doing the Doctor of Ministries Studies program. I believe you will notice evidence throughout their testimonies that we are intentional at every point about the program maintaining high standards of scholarship. While we know this is sometimes challenging for those who have been away from academic life for awhile, in the end it always has fruitful benefits. I think you will also find evidence in these testimonies that we are intentional about the program providing opportunities for spiritual growth and formation. We want participants to be renewed. And, I believe you will see in what they write that we are intentional about one's service to the church, the Lord, and the Kingdom. We want all participants to have the same kind of positive experience — in scholarship, spirituality, and service.
James W. Lewis, PhD, Director
Doctor of Ministry Studies Program
(765) 641-4525