Doctor of Ministry in Preaching (DMin)

North Park Theological Seminary has joined with five other theological seminaries in the Chicago area to offer a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Preaching. The combined resources of the six seminaries (North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary) make this a program of exceptional depth and breadth of exposure.

Students are required to hold the MDiv degree (or its equivalent) and to have at least three years of post-MDiv parish ministry experience. Students must also have a supporting or sending group from their context of ministry (either the parish or an acceptable alternative).

The program combines academic quality and practical relevance. The internationally renowned faculty bring high levels of scholarship and academic rigor to the program and work with students as they integrate academic and personal learning goals in the parish setting. Peer interaction during residencies and direct work with groups in the student’s context of ministry are significant components of the program.

The three-year program involves an annual three-week summer residency. At this time students take a core course, a peer colloquy, and an elective. Post-residency work consists of two Preaching Ministry Projects and a thesis in preaching ministry. The Preaching Ministry Projects are rotations of four video- recorded sermons, preached during the year, which the student designs in order to explore an issue or assumption about preaching. Students receive feedback on each sermon from faculty and parish groups. The thesis serves as the culmination of student work in the program.

The level of personal interaction and practical learning offered by this program is unparalleled in comparable programs. A limited number of students will be accepted each year. For more information, contact the Office of Seminary Admission at (773) 244-6229 or (800) 964-0101, or the ACTS DMin in Preaching Program Office at (773) 947-6270.

Doctor of Ministry in Preaching Core Curriculum

Colloquy

The Colloquy series serves in an advisory capacity to monitor a student’s progress through the degree program; it is an opportunity for students to share their journeys, clarify personal needs and goals, and design the Preaching Ministry Project and thesis. Each year’s Colloquy has a slightly different focus.

Preaching Ministry Project

The Preaching Ministry Project each year is an action/reflection experience that asks the student to apply what she or he learns in the core and elective courses to the home parish and to reflect on that experience. It is planned each year during the summer residency working with a professor (parish advisor), the colloquy leader, and peers. In the final design and execution of the project each student works with her or his parish members throughout the year. This period between residencies (August–March) functions as an independent course in preaching, supervised by the advisor in Chicago, and designed to address the student’s personal and parish preaching needs.

Year One: Summer Residency

DMPR 8690Preaching as an Interpretive Act

4

Colloquy

One Elective Course

Preaching Ministry Project I

Year Two: Summer Residency

DMPR 8691Preaching As a Performance Act

4

Colloquy

One Elective Course

Preaching Ministry Project II

Year Three: Summer Residency

DMPR 8694Preaching As a Social Act

4

Colloquy

One Elective Course

Thesis