Doctor of Ministry

Overview

The mission of APNTS is to prepare men and women for Christ-like leadership and excellence in ministries. At a high degree, the Doctor of Ministry fulfills this mission. The D. Min. program is an advanced, professional theological degree intended for practitioners of ministry who desire to be more effective in their calling and context of ministry. Its aim is to integrate theory and practice. The focus is in an Asia-Pacific context. Readings, discussions with mentors and peers, and, finally, a major project related to the student’s ministry, readies faithful pastors and other church leaders for the challenges of the twenty-first century church. As a program of APNTS, the Doctor of Ministry is committed to revitalizing Wesleyan perspectives. The D.Min. degree seeks no less than to be a catalyst for transformation within the Church and throughout the world primarily through its practicing ecclesial church ministers and leaders.

Doctor of Ministry students reflect upon the practices of ministry from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives. Out of the deep resources of Wesleyan-grounded paradigms they reflect upon the work of the Church and its mission in the world. They will see ways in which their ministry flows from their understandings of the missio Dei and develop ways in which their ecclesial leadership may more adequately and authentically flow from aWesleyan ecclesiology. The goal is for the student’s ministry to be enhanced and enriched by study, discussion, mentorship and research. The student should grow in knowledge and spirit, and such growth should be evident in ministry practice.

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Ministry is to provide continuing education for practicing ministers. The D.Min. degree is not intended to prepare graduates for academia or academic positions. The Doctor of Ministry is offered in consultation with the Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST), Philippines. The APNTS Doctor of Ministry degree in Transformational Ministry is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines.

Program Outcomes

1. To integrate theory and practice in an Asia-Pacific context of ministry to increase the effectiveness of pastors and other church leaders for the challenges of the twenty-first century church.
2. For the students to reflect upon the practices of ministry from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives and develop ways in which their ecclesial leadership may more adequately and authentically flow from a Wesleyan ecclesiology.
3. For the student’s ministry to be enhanced and enriched by study, discussion, mentorship and research; the student should grow in knowledge and spirit, and such growth should be evident in ministry practice.
4. To be a catalyst for transformation within the Church and throughout the world primarily through its practicing ecclesial church ministers and leaders.

Admission Requirements

All Doctor of Ministry students begin with the formal APNTS application process. Admission to a graduate program at APNTS is based upon:

1. Graduation with a Master of Divinity degree from a government-recognized or accredited seminary or divinity school. The Master of Divinity represents a core of biblical, theological, historical, and practical subjects that has required three ears of full-time graduate-level study.
2. The applicant must be currently involved in ministry, and must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the admissions approval team their having been in full-time ministry for at least five years (or the equivalent). Typically, the applicants would be ordained ministers who have served for atleast five consecutive years in their ministry.
3. A graduate seminary or divinity school academic average grade of at least B.
4. Completion of the application process. The prospective student must submit the following:
   • An application form carefully filled out by the applicant. The form can be obtained online: http://www.apnts.edu.ph/prospectivestudents/application.
   • Four letters of recommendation. The Registrar will correspond directly with individuals indicated by the student on the application form, and these will include the applicant’s District Superintendent or Ministry Supervisor.
5. The applicant will also submit a letter from the church or ministry in which he or she is serving indicating the ministry’s knowledge of and prayerful support for the applicant in this program.
6. Official and original transcripts of record sent by the schools from which the student has graduated and showing al college, graduate, and professional courses the applicant has taken, sent directly to the APNTS Registrar. The transcript should have the institution’s seal.
7. One small-size recent photograph.
8. An application fee of US $65 for developing countries and $100 for developed countries.
9. Two short papers:
   • Personal and professional identity paper that identifies the student’s spiritual and professional journey, and philosophy of ministry (1000 – 1200 words).
   • Goals for continuing education through the Doctor of Ministry (300- 500 words) and a possible focus for the Ministry Research Project (300 – 500 words).
10. The student should be able to document an English Equivalency score at or above 540.
    APNTS offers the exam.

Course Offerings

The focus of the Doctor of Ministry is “Transformational Ministry.” The Foundational Core subjects are offered in two-week blocks twice a year. Students will have read considerable materials before the classes, and will undertake assigned projects after the classes.

For more information about the Doctor of Ministry, contact the Registrar’s Office for the D.Min. Handbook.