HSU Insider

"When the phone rings at 2:00 AM, it's an ominous sound to any of us," says First Baptist Church pastor Dr. Phil Christopher. "As a pastor, that 2 A.M. call means having to draw on your experience, theology, and education." Christopher says, "There aren't many words that one can speak in moments of such incredible pain, when a family has lost a 20-year old son, grandson, cousin, or nephew." According to Christopher, that scenario is just one of many things pastors need to know how to handle during a lifetime of ministry.

Because of the great challenges ministers face today, a new degree is being offered this fall by Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University. The new Doctor of Ministry degree is about teaching pastors how to handle issues from crisis and counseling to focusing on a vision for their churches.

"The Doctor of Ministry degree offers the most advanced preparation for ministry," says Dr. Tommy Brisco, Dean of HSU's Logsdon School of Theology. "Those who qualify to enter the program must have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent and a minimum of three years of ministry experience." He explains, "The unique combination of ongoing ministry experience and a previous degree provides a wonderful platform for advanced study that benefits both ministers and the churches they serve."

According to Brisco, "The Doctor of Ministry degree provides ministers with an opportunity to develop new insights and skills for effective church leadership in a rapidly changing world. The curriculum integrates Scripture, worship, spiritual formation, and theological reflection as students address real life ministry under the supervision of gifted faculty mentors and field supervisors."

Dr. Bob Ellis, Associate Dean for Logsdon Seminary, adds, "Our churches reflect the culture; this degree gives pastors the tools and insight to understand cultural changes and how to minister to them."

For instance, says Ellis, "Abilene, Texas, is one of the places where hundreds of refugees are brought to resettle. The community has received more than 400 refugees from places like Burundi, Africa, through the International Rescue Committee, and they are finding their way into local churches. Ministering in a changing cultural context is one of many reasons," he says, "why ministers seek fresh ideas in theology and ways to integrate new thinking into the churches they serve."

The degree will take about three years to complete. "Ministers may come from all over the country for this kind of training," says Ellis, "so you have to be able to deliver instruction in weekend and week-long seminars scattered through the year, with the minister going home and using the ministry setting as a laboratory. That also means," he adds, "having to recruit and train field supervisors who can engage and challenge the Doctor of Ministry students while in their own communities."

"As pastors are called on to point people to life and hope - to the love of God - they can never forget they are human," says Christopher. "There is always the pressure of the illusion that we have to be perfect. There is always another sermon to write and the feeling at the end of the day that we didn't get everything done, all as we struggle with our own questions, humanness, and grief."

"When a family has lost a loved one, you have to draw on your education and experience. The pastor cannot come with pious answers or quoting scripture, but seeking to offer the ministry of comfort." Christopher continues, "The minister acts as a symbol of the congregation, that the family is not alone -- seeking to incarnate the love and compassion of Christ."

Christopher adds, "Pastors need learning experiences that provide a larger perspective on their work and calling. There must be opportunities for growth, reflection, and study."
The new D.Min. Degree at Logsdon Seminary is specifically designed to meet this need.

Applications are being taken now for the first D.Min. course that will start in August at Hardin-Simmons University's Logsdon Seminary.

Photo: Dr. Bob Ellis (top), Dr. Tommy Brisco (right)