Course Descriptions
DMIN 852NE
Calling and Vocation
Credits: 3
This course will provide students with an opportunity to explore the relationships between spiritual formation, personality, and leadership. Students will benefit from standard personality and leadership assessment tools to gain insights into their own personality and leadership style. In addition, students will enhance their understanding of the biblical foundation of leadership and the significance of spiritual formation for today’s Christian leaders.
The expected outcome of this seminar will be a well-developed theology of ministry within the context of the individual’s personality, spiritual giftedness, and leadership style. Students will develop an informed sense of calling to their unique place in the Kingdom of God and will design a strategy of continuous personal change to enhance their effectiveness in ministry for years to come. The seminar will be composed of didactic sessions to focus on related personality and leadership theories, as well as small group components to provide support as students apply these principles to their individual ministry.
[Prerequisite: Successful matriculation into the D.Min. program]
DMIN 855NE
Theological Foundations for Ministry
Credits: 3
This course explores theological resources for Christian ministry in the context of contemporary culture(s). The purpose of the course is to assist the doctoral student in developing a solid theological foundation for ministry that is firmly rooted in the historic Christian faith and fully responsive to the exigencies of the contemporary world. The course develops in three major movements: First, the course seeks to guide the student in a review of the core beliefs of historic Christian faith. The focus of this review is both on the content of the faith and the implications of the Church’s core beliefs for Christian ministry. Second, the course provides an overview of key foundational materials in the classical pastoral tradition, with a focus on the nature and practices of the pastoral vocation. Finally, the course focuses on the doctrine of the Church and its implications for ministry in contemporary culture. Specifically, the course seeks (a) to guide the student in discerning certain key features of contemporary North American culture, and (b) to aid the student in grappling with the nature of the Church’s mission in its present cultural context.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 860NE – A, B, and C
Research Methodology I, II and III
Credit: 1 credit per class for a total of 3
DMIN 860ANE – Research Methodology I
An introduction to research methodology for the D.Min. dissertation, this seminar will guide the doctoral student in integrating theological reflection, spiritual discipline, and ministry practice. The seminar sessions will include discussion of research ethics in the ministry setting. Each student will develop a comprehensive statement of a ministry-based research problem, which will form the basis of Chapter One of the Doctor of Ministry dissertation.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 860BNE – Research Methodology II
A continuation of DMIN 860A, this seminar will guide the doctoral student in integrating theological reflection, spiritual discipline, and ministry practice. Specifically, this course will assist the doctoral student in writing the ‘review of the literature.' The course will discuss the role of the literature review, provide guidance for setting limits, and emphasize the dialogical nature of the research process. Typically, the literature review will form the basis for writing Chapter Two of the Doctor of Ministry dissertation.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 860ANE – Research Methodology I]
DMIN 860CNE – Research Methodology III
A continuation of DMIN 860A and DMIN 860B, this seminar will guide the doctoral student in integrating theological reflection, spiritual discipline, and ministry practice. Specifically, this course will discuss appropriate research methodologies as adapted to the ministry setting. The doctoral student will design an appropriate ministry model that integrates Scripture, spiritual reflection, and leadership development. The ministry model will typically be incorporated into Chapter Three of the Doctor of Ministry dissertation. This course will guide the Doctor of Ministry student into the writing and production of a final document and will emphasize organization of the dissertation, clarity of research-based writing, and proper form and style.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 860BNE – Research Methodology II]
DMIN 862NE
Critical Issues in Contemporary Church Communities and Postmodern Society
Credits: 3
This course provides a venue for exploring varying Christian approaches for describing and addressing contemporary problems. The methodology includes applying a biblical and theological framework to proposed interventions that take into account personal responsibility, distributive and social justice, global perspectives, concern for the local community, and the utilization of church ministerial tools and secular expertise. Included in this course are reflection and exploration of a theological paradigm of the cross that maintains a radical Christian approach providing a context for effectively addressing social and ethical problems. Descriptions, analyses, and possible interventions for the following social problems and ethical issues will be the focus for class discussions, readings, and assignments: violence against women, racism, poverty, and professional ethical dilemmas. The goal is to provide students with both a theological framework and the ministerial tools to address important contemporary social and ethical issues in their local churches, larger society, and international community.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 865NE
Scriptural Foundations for Ministry
Credits: 3
This course will explore biblical resources for envisioning the practice of Christian spirituality and leadership across the widest spectrum of social and cultural expressions, while interacting with the Church’s history of limiting its arena of concern to the “spiritual,” narrowly conceived. The methodology will integrate (1) reflection on central biblical-theological themes (such as God’s covenant with creation, humanity as “image of God,” the socio-cultural nature of evil and idolatry, redemption and the kingdom of God, and human suffering and eschatological hope) with (2) analysis of key shifts in the worldview of Western culture (including the Greek-Christian synthesis of the Middle Ages, the humanism of the Renaissance and Enlightenment, and the postmodern shift in the 20th century). The purpose is to develop a scriptural framework for Christian spirituality and leadership that can address the contemporary 21st century context with the power and compassion of the Gospel.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 872NE
Biblical Theology of Leadership
Credits: 3
There is a great need in the modern church and world for wise and faithful Christian leadership. This course examines the Bible with an interest in how the whole message and story of Scripture develops a theology of leadership. Fours areas, in particular, are of significance in view of such leadership: character (the lifestyle of the leader), care (the ministry of the leader), catechesis (what leaders should teach and pass on), and crises (how leaders handle challenges). Other course topics include: leadership systems and structures in Scripture, key biblical metaphors that shape leadership, and women in leadership in Scripture.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 875NE
Spirituality for Ministry
Credits: 3
This course will examine the importance of Christian spirituality for ministry in the contemporary context, especially focusing on (a) developing and articulating an integrational theology of human and Christian spirituality for ongoing appraisal of spiritual development personally and communally; (b) an exploration of fundamental dynamics of the Christian spiritual life as experienced and articulated throughout Scripture, Christian history and contemporary life individually and corporately; (c) the development of foundational dispositions that nurture spiritual development of individuals and communities; and (d) the responsibility and privilege of Christian leaders for intentional nurturing of their own personal spiritual formation and the spiritual formation of others whom they are called to serve within and outside the Church.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 882NE
Developing Healthy Spiritual Communities
Credits: 3
In a postmodern cultural context in which the authority of interpretive communities is broadly recognized, the Church has a unique opportunity to recover the biblical dynamic of authentic Christian community. This course will explore the nature and development of healthy Christian communities and their significance for meaningful ministry in the present cultural milieu. The course will examine the nature of the earliest Christian communities in the biblical era and review their historical development. The particular challenges of modernity to the development and maintenance of healthy spiritual communities will be observed. Finally, the course will focus on the prospects, possibilities, and methods for the recovery of healthy faith communities in the postmodern era. In particular, the dual vocation of the Church, to function both to contrast culture and as the place of Christ’s hospitality in the world, will serve as the foundation for thinking about the nature and development of contemporary communities of faith. This will include an exploration of the role of healthy spiritual communities for faith formation, catechesis, and evangelization.
On the basis of this analysis, students will have opportunity to strategize ways in which their own churches might become healthier spiritual communities, including, but not limited to, the development of small faith communities within the larger local church community.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 885NE
Transformational Leadership
Credits: 3
Scholars trace research on “transformational” leadership to James Burn’s 1987 study of leadership, which distinguished between “transactional leadership” and “transforming leadership.” This language has been (over) simplified in church circles to “management” versus “leadership.” This seminar will explore the role of each and their interrelationship in ministry. A key question to be pursued is this: What is the difference between a person who simply occupies a leadership role, and one who “gets things done,” resulting in organizational growth and “transformation” (from decline and sickness to health and vitality)? Pursuit of this key question will also involve a consideration of “pseudo-transformation” resulting in apparent growth, change, and “leadership success” which is followed by “leadership failure” and/or organizational conflict and decline. Transformational leadership is linked to the traditional study of the virtues and moral character. It has been defined as “leading from essence,” and puts a premium on integrity, authenticity, trust, and interpersonal relationships. This is a timely study in an age when moral failures in the ministry have made front-page news.
This course will also define, as key components of transformational leadership, the creation of shared vision, a unifying purpose, a strategic plan, and congruent values. These are the primary tools used by transformational leaders. Moreover, the process they use in the “creation” of them is critical to their “leadership success” (and differs from that used by “transactional leaders”).
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 890NE
Conference on Ministry
Credits: 3
This is a special topics course created in the area of expertise of the keynote speaker for Northeastern Seminary’s annual Conference on Ministry. For course description and details please log on to the NES Intranet at https://intranet.nes.edu/ and click on “Course Syllabi” or contact the office of academic services. This is a repeatable course. Every grade earned in a DMIN 890NE course is firm and will be calculated into the grade point average. The grade for a subsequent DMIN 890NE course does not replace the prior DMIN 890NE grade.
[Prerequisites: Successful completion of—or at least enrollment in—DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 892NE
Preaching and Scripture
Credits: 3
This course is designed to assist the student in enhancing the conceptual understandings and practical skills that lead to the effective communications of ancient truths in the 21st century. Through a variety of learning experiences (e.g. in-class preaching, viewing the sermons of great preachers, reading and discussion, etc.) this class will enhance the student’s ability to craft and deliver sermons that God can use to bring about the transformation of human lives and the building of His church. Designed as a practicum experience, a central feature of this class is the viewing and critique of sermons delivered by the students.
[Prerequisites: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE]
DMIN 895NE
Independent Study
Credits: 3
D.Min. students may petition to do an Independent Study or transfer one course (three credit limit) from an approved graduate program that supports his or her dissertation. The student must demonstrate how this course will further his or her understanding of and support the ministry goals of the dissertation. If approved, these credits will substitute for one Support Course.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of DMIN 852NE and one foundational course or permission of the vice president and dean]
DMIN 901NE
Continuation of Registration
Credits: 0
Fee: $250
Students who have registered for DMIN 910NE-Dissertation in a previous semester but who have not completed and successfully defended the dissertation will automatically be registered for this continuation course every subsequent semester until the completion of the D.Min. program. The $250 fee will automatically be applied to the student’s account each semester. This fee keeps a student’s ID and IT services active during the dissertation research and writing process. Students who do not wish to complete the dissertation/degree program should file a Withdrawal form with the NES retention officer to avoid this charge.
DMIN 910NE
Dissertation
Credits: 6
The student must satisfactorily complete a doctoral-level, publishable dissertation based on an approved ministry project.
The final dissertation must reflect the student’s ability to use appropriate theoretical and theological resources in addressing both the nature and the practice of ministry. The dissertation will demonstrate the candidate’s ability to identify a specific theological topic in ministry, organize an effective research model, use appropriate resources, and evaluate the results. (Note: Once a student registers for this course, she or he will, in every subsequent semester, be automatically registered for DMIN 901NE-Continuation of Registration and charged the $250 continuation fee. Students who do not wish to complete the dissertation/degree program should file a Withdrawal form with the NES retention officer to avoid this charge each semester.)
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of all other DMIN courses including DMIN 860A/B/C and an overall grade-point average of 3.0]