The Preacher as Lifelong Learner...Continued from page 2

3. Ask for a list of recent graduates and phone numbers and ask them what they thought of the program. Was it worth the time and money?”

Sunukjian adds a fourth question: “Who will be the faculty resources? Who are the people you’d be learning from? You can’t always know that in advance, especially in the cafeteria model. So it all depends on what your model is. You need to know who the experts are in the course areas. Is it a name you recognize because of publications or the esteem they have in the field? Will you have faculty who are real experts in that particular course of study?”

A Doctor of Ministry degree carries a cost -- anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on where you attend. Most of the programs operate just two to four weeks a year of campus residency, where you stay at the campus and have intensive training. During the rest of the year, you do the reading, keep in contact with your mentor, and work on various projects. It normally takes three years to complete a program, but for some it takes longer.

Robinson is particularly proud of the program at Gordon-Conwell. They have had at least seventeen of their students get their D.Min. final projects published by mainstream Christian publishers. They also have one of the largest programs in the U.S., with about 590 students enrolled at present.

Today, most theological schools have a D.Min. program, and it might be wise to check out what’s available in your own region, as opposed to enrolling in a distant program which will require you to travel and pay room and board in addition to the normal tuition costs. Nevertheless, the quality of a particular program’s offerings or resources may outweigh the additional cost required.

Beyond the D.Min., though, there are many other resources. Sunukjian says, “There are seminars all over the place and conferences worth attending. You can simply take a course here or there, as needed. Large churches like Saddleback and Willow Creek offer leadership and pastoring conferences every year. You can do a lot just by reading books and journals.”

Michael Duduit, who edits this publication and has directed the National Conference on Preaching for more than 15 years, says that the number of ministry development opportunities for ministers has exploded in recent years. “When we started the National Conference on Preaching in 1989, there were few events of that kind available apart from denominational training programs. Today it would be possible for a pastor to attend a conference or seminar virtually every week, based on the programs now being offered. I just encourage preachers to carefully select those events that will be helpful to them in their own ministry journey, based on their own gifts and calling.”

Cardoza recommends that you make it an individual journey, tailored to your needs. All have different personal needs. He says, “Explore the world of knowledge and growing as a human being. Take individual classes. Those who have professional needs on new perspectives may take advanced degrees. There are also online programs. A doctorate is especially for people who like to do research. The D.Min. is great, too. But they’re not always practical for some people. Today, though, educational institutions offer many things from which to choose. The learner can come in and take what he needs. Ask yourself: Where am I individually?”