Start Your Doctorate of Ministry in Missional Church Studies Program Today
English | 100% Online | 30 Credits
You can gain the knowledge, personal insight, and performance skills necessary to deepen the spiritual and missional formation in your ministry practice with Central Seminary’s Doctorate of Ministry in Missional Church Studies (MCS) program.
The program’s opportunities for self-assessment and engagement with others are designed to strengthen your leadership skills and enhance your ability to empathize with others.
What Is the Missional Church Movement?
The Missional Church Movement emphasizes how believers can live out the missionary nature of God in their local community.
For many Christians, missions are seen as focusing on the idea of sending missionaries to a specific location rather than the viewpoint that we are already living in our mission field. As a result, there is an overemphasis on supporting missions rather than seeing the Church and all the people in it as sent by God.
This isn’t about what the Church does, but what the Church is—missionaries who actively participate in God’s mission in every area of their life.
The characteristics of a Missional Church emphasize the building of the Church as the place where Christians are trained to better reach the people in their communities. Churches are often a hub of community activities, not just services. Inviting others to those activities is a type of evangelism where an expert teacher will share the Gospel.
The Missional Church Movement is a biblically based emphasis to fulfill the Great Commission through evangelism and discipleship in local communities.
Doctor of Ministry in Missional Church Studies Program Details
The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry in Missional Church Studies degree is to provide advanced, practical theological education for experienced ministers, chaplains, and other faith leaders who hold the Master of Divinity degree or equivalent.
Expected student outcomes of a DMin in Missional Church Studies include the ability to:
- Utilize social scientific research methods to analyze ministry situations appropriately and develop practices conducive to congregational health.
- Use best practice methodologies employed by the classical theological disciplines to critique ideas, beliefs, and practices regarding their implications for congregational health.
- Demonstrate high proficiency in the art of ministry praxis and leadership that contributes either to healthy faith communities that are missional in nature or to pastoral care that holistically develops healthy individuals and families.
- Demonstrate commitment to continuing growth in personal, spiritual, and professional maturity.
- Acquire essential skills for mentoring new generations of leaders and equipping them for healthy ministry practices.
- English Languages Offered: English
- 30 Credits Program Length: The program requires 30 credits and can be completed in three years.
- Six Semesters Calendar: Students complete six semesters. Semesters begin in August (Fall semester) and January (Spring semester) of each year. Students can begin their coursework in either the Fall or Spring term. Students can finish in three years. Two years are dedicated to coursework, and students complete their dissertation projects during the third year. There are two 15-week semesters per year.
| Session | Start Date | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester August 2023 | August 21, 2023 | July 21, 2023 |
| Spring Semester January 2024 | January 22, 2024 | December 13, 2023 |
Tuition
$515 per credit
Registration Fee
$250 per term
Dissertation Fee
$850 at the start of the dissertation
Graduation Fee
$250
Applicants must have a master degree in a field relevant to their ministry plus a minimum of three years of experience in their ministry context after receiving the master degree. All applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee as part of their application process. Students for whom English is not their first language will be required to demonstrate their English proficiency.
Schedule
The program requires 30 credits and can be completed in three years. Two years are dedicated to coursework, and students complete their dissertation projects during the third year. There are two 15-week semesters per year.
Coursework
- Orientation to the DMin Program
- Missional Church Theory and Practice
- Mentoring, Coaching, and Learning Communities for Missional Ministries
- Missional Leadership: Theology and Practice
- Incarnational Theology
- Community Analysis and Engagement
- Congregational Development of New Faith Communities
- Entrepreneurial Ministry
- Research Method and Project Design
John S. Park
Director of the DMin Program & Des Peres Associate Professor of Congregational Health
DMin MCS Schedule Flexibility
When you complete your training online, the classroom is wherever you live. You can work at your own pace and on a schedule convenient to your learning preference. Additionally, there is a seamless admission and registration process.
Affordable Costs
Tuition at Central Seminary is affordable. Degree-seeking students also have access to scholarships. Additionally, there are individualized pay-as-you-go payment plans available.
Accelerated Program
The flexibility of this accelerated program allows students to complete their Doctorate of Ministry in Missional Church Studies in as little as three years.
Why Students Choose the Missional Church Studies Program
In our dynamic DMin in Missional Church Studies program at Central Seminary, students can grow naturally into their next ministry roles.
Many Doctor of Ministry students are already serving as ministers, chaplains, and other faith leaders. Throughout the program, they are able to apply the learning outcomes from their coursework in their current roles.
Students worldwide choose Central Seminary because the learning outcomes are designed to help prepare them for ministry in multicultural contexts, and our programs are offered in multiple languages. The online format of many of our academic programs also makes it convenient to complete the course while still having the opportunity to build lasting relationships with peers.
Testimonials
“My faith was stretched and grown at Central. Professors were not out to impart doctrine to us. Instead, they created a space to explore, discern, question, and think critically about theology, worship, church history, ministry, and spiritual formation. I am forever grateful for this.”
Jennifer Judd
MDiv
What You Will Learn in the Doctorate of Ministry in Missional Church Studies Program
The DMin in Missional Church Studies program strengthens students’ leadership skills and ability to empathize with others.
1. How to strengthen congregational health
In Central Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry (DMin) focusing on Missional Church Studies, students learn best-practice methodologies for strengthening congregational health that align with classical theological disciplines.
2. Research methods for assessing ministry
After completing the Doctor of Ministry in Missional Church Studies program, students will be able to apply research methods to analyze various aspects of their ministry effectively.
3. Strategies for continuing spiritual education and personal growth
The MCS program is not meant to be an “end” to a student’s spiritual education but rather a catalyst for continuous improvement. A primary focus of the program is to inspire personal, spiritual, and professional growth that is everlasting and unique to each individual.
4. Prepare for your next chapter in ministry
The goal of the capstone project and dissertation process is to help students prepare for their next chapter in ministry. Throughout the program, students work with instructors to develop goal-oriented project concepts. Instructors are also there to provide guidance and mentorship as needed throughout the process.
Missional Church Studies FAQs
Learn more about the Doctorate of Ministry in Missional Church Studies Program.
Why earn your DMin at Central Seminary?
In the Doctor of Ministry focusing on Missional Church Studies program at Central Seminary, students will learn best-practice methodologies for strengthening congregational health that align with classical theological disciplines. Upon completion of the Doctor of Ministry program, students should also be able to apply research methods to effectively analyze various aspects of their ministry. The DMin program is not meant to be an “end” to your spiritual education but a catalyst for continuous improvement. A primary focus of the program is to inspire personal, spiritual, and professional growth that is everlasting and unique to each individual. Central is a dynamic, welcoming seminary community that celebrates students from all walks of life. We all have unique experiences that bring us together. Celebrating your specific path and goals will be the focus of our guidance and your project dissertation. Beyond the quality of this program, Central has a long history and track record of providing accredited seminary programs to students. With our technology-enhanced approach to education, managing your coursework throughout your education is more than possible.
Can I earn a DMin fully online?
Yes! The DMin in Missional Church Studies is offered 100% online.
Can I teach with a DMin?
The Doctor of Ministry degree is a professional doctorate. Depending on the program and the course, seminaries and theology schools may have need for the knowledge and skills of a DMin graduate. Most universities and colleges, however, prefer to utilize graduates with a research doctorate. (i.e., Ph.D.)
Reach Your Potential at Central Seminary