The D. Min. program at Heidelberg Theological Seminary presents the following upcoming course for 2018.
August 13-17, 2018
The Doctrine of the Spirituality of the Church and Current Ministry in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches
D.Min. Program Instructor:
Dr. Alan Strange
Ph.D., OPC minister and professor at Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Course Description
This course will survey church-state relations biblically and historically, with a view to examining intensively the doctrine that the church is a spiritual institution, a kingdom not of this world. We will focus particularly on church and state in an American context. This will include studying the doctrine of two kingdoms, then and now, Kuyper’s sphere sovereignty, and the outplay of the doctrine before, during, and after the American Civil War. We will examine the relevancy of this doctrine for current ministry, seeking to identify how the spirituality of the church allows the church both to distinguish itself from and give itself to the world.
Why a D.Min. degree?
Our D.Min. is a professional degree program for pastors actively engaged in ministry. It is designed to sharpen practical ministry skills and enhance the academic knowledge gained from master’s level education. Coursework is timely and relevant to the needs of those serving in ministry in today’s world.
A secondary purpose for this program is to provide opportunities for men who desire to sharpen their ministry skills by auditing individual courses. Men involved in ministry (ministers, elders, et cetera) will be welcome to audit individual courses.
Time Required
Courses are taught in intensive one-week sessions, alternating between January and August. The coursework can be completed in four years. A dissertation is also required. See the course schedule below for more details.
What the Students Say
“Having graduated from seminary over 35 years ago, the opportunity to pursue the Doctor of Ministry degree at Heidelberg Seminary in Sioux Falls is something of a dream come true. The reading assigned for the classes on Reformed worship was scholarly and challenging to say the least. The volumes assigned were the cream of the crop on the subject for the last half-decade or so. The lectures given by Prof. Dr. Maynard Koerner really delivered on substance so that we were beneficiaries of the Scriptural/theological data pertinent to the realm of Reformed worship. Another plus of the whole experience was the high level of fellowship and interaction between the students, all of whom are presently active pastors. There is no doubt that this doctoral course is an enrichment to our ministerial calling, which, God willing, will edify his people and redound to the glory of his Name. If you are considering the pursuit of a D. Min., you need to think about Heidelberg Theological Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD.”
—Rev. George Syms, pastor of Covenant Reformed Church, Watertown, SD (RCUS)
“Since worship is the most important activity of life, there is no better way to spend time, than learning about how our sovereignly gracious God wants us to worship Him.”
—Rev. Brad J. Irick, pastor of Winner Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Winner, SD (OPC)
“I am thankful for the soundness of the lectures, the growth it has afforded me through intentional study, the fellowship that I have with like-minded pastors, and the practical benefit to those I serve.”
—Rev. Michael McGee, pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Sioux Falls, SD (RCUS)
“I very much appreciate that we can study together the Word of God, and that we can look through multiple aspects of worship and understand them with a biblical emphasis.”
—Rev. James Grossmann, pastor of Eureka Reformed Church, Eureka, SD (RCUS)
“It’s invigorating and encouraging to study alongside men who stand in the breach.”
—Rev. Patrick J. Morgan, pastor of Germantown Presbyterian Church, Chancellor, SD (PCA)
“Not only have I been able to savor the solidly Reformed instruction [and] been enriched by the required reading, but I’ve also been encouraged by and benefited from brethren of like faith and practice.”
—Rev. Travis Grassmid, pastor of Zion Reformed Church, Menno, SD (RCUS)
Course Requirements
The Doctor of Ministry program requires completion of 30 hours of course work, which includes participation in eight three-hour courses and the successful completion of a dissertation, for which 6 credit hours will be awarded. Course work done with another D.Min. program will be recognized. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale, with no grades lower than a “C.”
A reading assignment is due prior to the beginning of each course. Following the course, there will be a project or paper assigned.
Each student will also be required to submit a final dissertation in addition to the other coursework.
Admission
Requirements for admission include a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent and three years of ministry experience. (Equivalency is defined as having taken a M.Div. program and having completed at least 82 semester hours of religious graduate study, including one year of a biblical language.)
Tuition
The tuition rate is $200 per credit hour. Tuition will be due according to the following schedule:
- $600 for each course due at the beginning of the class.
- $1200 will be due with the submission of the dissertation.
- Total tuition will be $6000
Additional costs:
- Application fee $20
- Graduation fee $25
- The additional cost of editing and printing the dissertation
Tuition for auditing will be $50 per credit hour.
Scheduled Courses
There will be eight total courses in the doctorate program. Each course will be a week in length, with two courses taught per year in January and August.
- DM 840 The Use of Creeds and Confessions in Pastoral Ministry – Dr. Frank Walker, Professor at City Seminary, Sacramento, CA – Jan. 15-19, 2018
The following courses are also proposed and instructors are being sought:
- Challenge of the Ministry in the 21st Century
- Confessional Theology
- Effective Church Planting
- The Office of Minister/Teaching Elder in the Church Today
There is some potential for adjustments for the last five courses, depending on the availability of instructors.
Courses Already Taught
- DM 820 Effective Worship — Dr. Maynard Koerner — Jan. 18-22, 2016
- DM 825 Hermeneutics — Dr. Warren Embree — Aug. 8-12, 2016
- DM 830 Pastoral Counseling — Dr. George Scipione, Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary — Jan. 16-20, 2017
For More Information
Call 605-595-5850 or email [email protected].