Leadership

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 Mission 

 

The mission of a concentration in biblical social engagement is to equip pastors, Christian leaders, and practitioners with the theological understanding, practical skills, and spiritual development necessary to engage in effective social ministry.
Also to help Christian leaders integrate biblical principles with contemporary social realities, understand and address complex social issues, and develop innovative approaches to social ministry that are grounded in biblical principles.

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 Concentration Goals 

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The outcomes for the concentration include; 1) a knowledge base, 2) a transformational emphasis on being, and 3) doing evidenced in skill training for missional church practitioners.

Knowing: The knowledge base has the following components:

Being: In the process of the concentration, participants will experience development in the
following areas:

Doing: Participants in the concentration demonstrate competency in areas fitting their context
selected from the practices listed below:

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 Learning Modalities 

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The following nine learning modalities will be included in the concentration’s andragogy:

1. Ministry Development Plan (MDP)
2. Journaling
3. Context support group
4. Learning groups including collective assignments, consultations, and accountability
5. Mentoring as a professional relationship
6. Classroom consultation including didactic and experiential learning, as well as networking with top practitioners and experts in the field of multiethnic/multicultural ministry
7. Research including current literature, assigned readings, and case studies
8. Praxis including implementation of leadership interventions in the context of ministry
9. A project including theological reflection, field research, and intervention involving a specific challenge in their ministering context

 

 The Cohort Experience

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The program is delivered in the cohort model, wherein participants proceed through the sequence of courses together. Study and learning are year-round, with pre-intensive, during-intensive, and post-intensive activities and experiences. Pre-intensive assignment preparation can begin as early as six months prior to an intensive. There are four annual teaching sessions presented by ministry professionals. During the program, you will participate in regional workgroups, follow a ministry development plan, read and reflect on the best literature in your concentration area, and develop and evaluate a professional project within the context of your own congregational or other leadership responsibilities.

 

Cohorts are identified by the year in which they formed. For example, if you are a member of a cohort that formed in 2023, during the five-six years you expect to be in the program, the title of your group will be "the 2023 Mass Media for Ministry Cohort."

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 Module Descriptions 

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CONCENTRATION-SPECIFIC MODULES (17 Credits)

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DEPT 7XX – A Centrist Biblical Hermeneutic for Social Engagement / Credits: 4

This course seeks to provide a balanced scriptural approach to social issues, as seen by the manner in which various Old Testament prophets addressed matters of justice and equity. A particular emphasis is placed on Jesus’ treatment of marginalized individuals, as well as on relevant passages, such as Matthew 25.

DEPT 7XX – History of Social Involvement by the Christian Church / Credits: 4
History records multiple accounts of individual Christians and organizations that provided for
orphans, slaves, lepers, war-wounded, etc. This course, by reflecting on and analyzing causes of
injustice over time, seeks to identify solutions that pursue social justice, and to train leaders to be
effective change agents in communities and organizations.

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DEPT 7XX Adventist Heritage on Selected Social Justice Activities / Credits: 4
The apocalyptic vision of early Adventism broadened to include concern for the treatment of
fellow humans. Lessons can be learned from how the pioneers moved beyond emphasizing a
healing ministry, through hospitals, clinics, etc., and got involved in transformative justice
movements (e.g., anti-slavery activities, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, etc.).

DEPT 7XX Theopraxy: Multi-Level Engagement in Social Concerns / Credits: 5
Utilizing socially-engaged spiritual leadership, this course fosters practical, relevant
opportunities to work with marginalized individuals and groups. The strengths, needs, and
aspirations of those who experience societal inequality and/or injustice will be assessed, and
analyzed, with a view to promoting and integrating social justice and compassionate whole
person care.

 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (15 Credits)

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GSEM 706 – Spiritual & Theological Foundations for Mass Media Ministry / Credits: 4

This module builds the spiritual and theological foundation from which the practice of mission and ministry grows and seeks to lead the participant into a self-reflection and examination of life and belief with annotated Scriptural references for the development of a biblical theology of media ministry.

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GSEM 790 – DMin Professional Dissertation Seminar / Credits: 2

Forming the project proposal and issues related to completing the professional dissertation successfully. Areas of focus include literature review, theological reflection, critical thinking, experiential learning, reflective observation, research design and techniques, reading and evaluating research, academic writing, an effective work plan for completion of the project, and other project-related topics.

 

 

GSEM 793 DMin Research Methods Seminar / Credits: 2

Forming the action plan for successfully implementing and evaluating the DMin project. Areas of focus include action research, research design and methods, descriptive statistics, methods of evaluating the project, IRB approval, and other project-related topics.

 

 

GSEM 796: DMin Professional Dissertation

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Credits:

- 2 in YEAR 2

- 2 in YEAR 3

- 3 in YEAR 4

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 Contact 

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The coordinator for this cohort is Dr. Ron du Preez  He can be reached at *******

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 Schedule 

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Travel and lodging information is provided in the links under the "Intensive Location" column. 
Cohorts are identified by the year in which they formed. Cohort participants will take these courses and modules:

 

202X Biblical Social Engagement Cohort

Course requirements and schedule for the cohort that begins in 202X:

Online registration must be completed before the course start date. The course registration number (CRN--in parentheses) is the number that registers the course.

Follow the linked course names to obtain the course syllabus: