Doctor of Ministry Degree Program
Canterbury College offers a Doctor of Ministry programme with Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio. The D.Min is a professional degree granted by Ashland Theological Seminary (a fully accredited university) offering a programme designed to help provide an intentional learning opportunity that :
- Strengthens the participants’ personal life of faith.
- Further develops professional competence in the practice of ministry.
- Encourages growth in the biblical and theological foundations of ministry.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Master of Divinity degree from an ATS accredited school, or its equivalent.
- Grade point average of 3.0 (4.0=A).
- Current involvement in a ministry context.
- At least three years in ministry after receiving the M.Div. degree.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The D.Min. degree requires the completion of 45 units of credit. The four core courses comprise 20 units of credit. The three elective courses account for 15 units of credit. Ten units of credit are awarded for the completion of a major project and its accompanying document.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Three elective courses are required in the programme. The following courses which emphasize Canadian ministry are offered at Canterbury College.
- The Church Within the Canadian Context
- Spirituality & Ministry
- Addictions, Personality, and Ministry
- The Experience of the Presence of God in the 21st Century
- Spirituality Within a Pluralistic Society
- The Theology of Preaching
| The Church Within the Canadian Context |
CC-DM-01
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| The Church thrives in a creative tension between its divine calling and its ever-changing social-historical context. This course enables participants to deepen their insight and increase pastoral effectiveness by exploring the nature of the Church from biblical, theological, sociological, historical and pastoral perspectives. Attention will be given to unique aspects of the Canadian context. Participants will be challenged and guided to develop the ability to think and communicate at the doctoral level. |
Core
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| The Experience of the Presence of God in the 21st Century |
CC-DM-02
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| How is God speaking in this age, and how do we discern what He is saying? Given the renewed awareness of spirituality within our wider culture and the reclaiming within our churches of the priority of "soul care" in pastoral ministry, this course looks at basic issues of spirituality and ministry. We shall consider how attention to our own spiritual life can enrich ministry. |
Elective
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| Addiction and Spirituality: The practice of a healing ministry |
CC-DM-03
|
| This course will focus on the relationship of the pastor and people caught in addiction. Course content will include: spiritual principles of addiction, the pastor's personal perspective of this affliction, a survey of different forms of addiction, how the pastor may be helped to see signs of addiction including how pastors are often addicted yet unaware of their problem, community resources available to the pastor, positive suggestions as to what the role of the pastor can be and what it cannot be in the care of souls. Particular attention will be paid to address the concerns of course participants. A variety of teaching methodologies will be used: lecture, discussion, case studies, the pastor's own input, and presentations by people involved in the field of counseling and training. |
Elective
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| This course will investigate several alternative forms of spiritual expressions which people seek to fill their personal spiritual needs. Learning for the student will occur through class discussions, field observations, and the student's own experience. By a discernment process, the student will begin to address these alternate forms through the Christian message. |
Elective
|
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Preaching and the Renewal of Ecclesial Identity and Mission |
CC-DM-05
|
| Many congregations are locked into a self-understanding that is uncritically shaped by the individualist and consumerist presuppositions of today’s dominant culture and remains rooted in the era of Christendom. Such settings are ill-equipped to foster a strong sense of ecclesial identity and vigorous participation in the missio dei. This course will address questions that stand at the intersection of preaching, the church’s vocation to make disciples, and the formation/transformation of congregations in an early Twenty-first Century, North American context. Participants will inquire as to what kinds of preaching (and preacher!) might quicken the church’s conscious and operative understanding of itself as the living, breathing Body of Christ in the world. Homiletical strategies for promoting the ongoing conversion of the church and prompting effective mission in the world will be introduced and practiced. |
Elective
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| Spirituality and Ministry |
CC-DM-06
|
| Churches are reclaiming the priority of "soul care" in ministry. This course looks at basic issues of spirituality and ministry and considers how attention to our own spiritual life can enrich ministry. Pastors have many opportunities for nurturing our spiritual lives (within the contexts of temperament, life situation, and particular vocations). We consider how our own situations provide opportunities for spiritual growth, how we might increase such opportunities, and look at potential perils, obstacles, and problems for spiritual life of ministers. Finally, we consider the resources we have to offer in nurturing the spiritual lives of others. |
Elective
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