DMin - Doctor of Ministry

The context of Christian ministry is changing rapidly – new tasks, new situations, new challenges. The Degree of Doctor of Ministry helps you renew yourself and your approach to ministry in this fast world. It is designed for people who cannot take extended periods of study away from their ministry (though if you are able to take a period of study leave, that time can be used very profitably for work on your DMin).

The DMin course can be seen in a number of ways:

• as in-service training/continuing ministerial education
• as on-going personal development
• as a chance to develop new skills
• as a focus for evaluating your current work
• as a structure for developing expertise in a particular aspect of theology and ministry
• as an opportunity to develop new approaches to pastoral ministry
• as an opportunity to consider the challenges facing church life and mission in the 21^st Century
• as an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the understanding and practice of ministry through the completion of a major research project.

The course is staffed by the course leader, Rev Dr Steve F. Latham, with the help of the following:

Rev. Roger Standing, BA MPhil DMin, Director of Training, formerly Senior Regional Minister, Southern Counties Baptist Association

Rev. Nigel G. Wright, BA BD MTh PhD FRSA, Principal, formerly Senior Minister, Altrincham Baptist Church, Cheshire

Rev. Stephen I. Wright, BA MA PhD, Director of Research and tutor in Biblical Studies and Practical Theology, formerly Director of The College of Preachers

Rev. Professor John W. Drane, PhD, Adjunct professor of New Testament & Practical Theology, Fuller Seminary, California, and Visiting Scholar at Spurgeon's 

Rev. Derek Tidball, BA BD PhD, formerly Principal, London School of Theology and Visiting Scholar at Spurgeon's 

From 2011 the DMin study is validated by the University of Chester and the programme has the following three stages:

1. Research preparation and reflection on the practice of ministry

The first part of the DMin enhances students’ ability to reflect on practice through critical engagement with a range of theological subjects and disciplines. Students will attempt six modules at level 7, chosen from the following:  

• Chaplaincy     
• Christian Leadership
• Christian Spirituality
• Church Planting in Contemporary Culture
• Contemporary Theologies of Mission
• Issues in Cross-Cultural Missiology
• Ethics and the Christian Community
• Preaching – Theology and Practice
• The Gospel and Film
• Parish Nursing
• Preaching - Personal and Corporate Aspects
• Interpreting Biblical Narrative for Preaching
• Preaching in Contemporary Worship and Mission
• Narrative Structures for Preaching
• Historical Perspectives on Preaching
• The Gospel and Contemporary Thought and Culture

There may be exemptions for those who have completed a Master’s Degree in Theology.

2. Researching the practice of ministry

Next there are five modules, at level 8, designed to demonstrate competence in self-directed research and the student’s ability to engage in advanced, critical theological reflection on the practice of ministry. These modules are:

• Developing Ministerial Practice or Independent Theological Study
• Literature Review
• Publishable Article
• Reflective Practitioner Portfolio
• Research Proposal

3. The DMin thesis

The climax of the programme is the thesis, which will be a major research project of 50,000 – 60,000 words on the practice of Christian ministry.