Doctor of Ministry Program Philosophy

How Can You Achieve Your Goals?

That's the key question our Doctor of Ministry program is designed to answer. There are five steps to
the answer:

  • Know God
  • Know Yourself
  • Know Others
  • Know the Way Forward
  • Move Forward

 

There is a logic to these steps.

To know God involves Bible study and spiritual disciplines. Growth in knowing God and theological truth results in goals which increasingly conform to his will. How long do you have to pray for somethings that is not God’s will before He will do it? Forever! If we stumble in this step, God will not help us achieve our goals.

To know yourself requires first knowing God. God helps us see ourselves as we really are. To move toward our goal requires that we start where we are. When we try to start where we aren't, we are destined to failure or at least reduced achievement. An accurate assessment of ourselves is critical if we are to move toward our goal. There may be gifts we need to develop or training that we need before our goal will be achievable.

To know others requires first knowing ourselves. Otherwise we will project our weaknesses on them. If we think we are good communicators but aren't, we will consider those who misunderstand us to be poor listeners or worse. In a group situation, not only must we start where we are, but we must also start where others are. We must know others to move toward a group goal.

To know the way forward to our goal from where we are requires more than knowing where we are and where we are going. When we ask for directions on a trip, the fact that a person knows where we are and where we are going does not mean that that person can tell us how to get there. I know that from experience! Many frustrated leaders have learned that all the assessments and demographics they are urged to do can leave them wondering what to do with the data. We not only need to know where we are and where we are going, but we must know the way forward to get there. That does not  follow automatically from knowing God, knowing yourself, and knowing others. Knowing the way forward is an additional step that must be learned.

To move forward accomplishes what simply knowing can't. The feedback that results from action reveals previously unseen flaws in our thinking. More accurate knowledge brings about revisions which start the whole process over in a continuing circle of growth. That growth makes our goals attainable.

Ways Our D.Min. Program Helps Students Achieve Their Goals
Scholars and practitioners gifted in one or more of the five steps to achieve goals are asked to lead seminars. They come from Denver Seminary, other seminaries, and Christian churches or organizations. Seminars are designed to help students understand how to apply the steps to achieve goals in specific areas of ministry. Experienced practitioners help students discern the way forward through the seminars they conduct.

Students write a self-evaluation essay in the beginning and an integrative essay at the end of their studies to assess where they are and the progress they are making. They set goals as a part of this process. The research methods and strategies seminar is designed to help students master all five steps. They will practice evaluating a ministry need and designing a program that will effectively meet that need. They learn the entire process from initially seeking the guidelines of God's will, to setting a goal and working toward it from where they are. This results in a project and doctoral thesis, but the process is needed in any area of ministry. Students are assigned a first reader, a second reader, and a research consultant to help them apply the five steps to their project and thesis.

We want students to succeed. Students are supported with regular prayer in the Doctor of Ministry office.