Specializations

Specialization in Christian Spirituality

The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional degree offered by a theological school. The Doctor of Ministry degree presupposes the M.Div. degree and constitutes an advanced professional degree at the doctoral level available to those seeking to enhance their ministry. Thus, it is the purpose of the D.Min. degree to provide the level of knowledge, theoretical clarity, and competence of practice commensurate with the highest earned degree for the profession and practice of ministry.  

The Doctor of Ministry degree with a specialization in Christian spirituality is designed for ministers who are committed to enhancing their work with a demanding program of academic study and practices to nurture the spiritual life.  The D.Min. degree with a specialization in Christian Spirituality at McAfee emphasizes collegial learning with professors and peers.  It expects intense study in subjects related to spirituality designed and taught specifically for Doctor of Ministry students.  The program includes participation in spiritual practices including one 5-day retreat,  spirituality intensive, 24-hour individual retreats each quarter, and individual spiritual guidance at least monthly.  Each student will complete a ministry project thesis with a focus on nurturing the spirituality of persons within the context of ministry.  Students will receive supervision in facilitating spiritual growth in a project, chosen from one of the following areas:  spiritual direction with individuals or groups, spiritual formation in a congregational or institutional setting, coaching others for spiritual growth, or spiritual care within the context of one’s ministry.  Students may choose another area with permission from the Spirituality Faculty. 

The McAfee Doctor of Ministry challenges a person in ministry to seek his or her best in response to God's calling in Jesus Christ.  Students will be given a list of retreat experiences from which to choose for their 5-day retreat.  In addition, each student will choose a Spiritual Director from a list provided by the Christian Spirituality Faculty Supervisors: Dr. Loyd Allen and Dr. Denise Massey. 

The focus of this program is to prepare ministers to model the spiritual life, to nurture the spiritual growth of individuals and communities, and potentially to teach in the Ministry Studies programs of colleges and seminaries willing to employ a Doctor of Ministry graduate with a specialization in Christian Spirituality. 

Learn more about the Doctor of Ministry degree with a specialization in Christian spirituality .

Specialization in Preaching

The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional degree offered by a theological school. The Doctor of Ministry degree presupposes the M.Div. degree and constitutes an advanced professional degree at the doctoral level available to those seeking to enhance their ministry. Thus, it is the purpose of the D.Min. degree to provide the level of knowledge, theoretical clarity, and competence of practice commensurate with the highest earned degree for the profession and practice of ministry.

The Doctor of Ministry degree with a specialization in preaching is designed for pastors who are committed to enhancing their ministries with a demanding program academic study and preaching practice.  The D.Min. degree with a preaching specialization at McAfee emphasizes collegial learning with professors and peers.  It expects intense study in a variety of subjects designed and taught specifically for Doctor of Ministry students, including a three-unit program of readings on preaching and presentation of sermons within one’s ministry setting with a Preaching Consultant and Faculty Supervisor. Each student will complete a ministry project thesis with a focus on significant research on preaching.  

The McAfee Doctor of Ministry challenges a person in ministry to seek his or her best in response to God's calling in Jesus Christ.  The student will be assigned a Preaching Consultant in consultation with the chosen Faculty Supervisor from the preaching faculty: Dr. Peter Rhea Jones or Dr. Brett Younger.

The focus of this program is to prepare pastors to preach more effectively for leadership of significant pulpits and potentially to teach in the Ministry Studies programs of colleges and seminaries willing to employ a Doctor of Ministry graduate with specialized preaching skills.

Learn more about the Doctor of Ministry degree with a specialization in preaching.