Doctor of Ministry introduces a new track
Tyndale’s Doctor of Ministry program will launch its new Spiritual Formation track in 2014 and begin its fourth cohort in the Leadership track in February 2013.
Spiritual Formation is an integral part of being a leader in the Christian community both for self-development as well as for the community. For this reason, spiritual formation is part of the curriculum of the Doctor of Ministry, Leadership track. “The DMin program forced me to look at myself and my ministry with fresh eyes,” explains Les Galicinski, a recent DMin graduate who runs Deposits of Faith, a ministry where people participate in spiritual retreats aboard his sailboat. “As a result, my thinking has been stretched and I have introduced a more participative approach to my spiritual retreats.”
Some of the beneficial aspects of the leadership track will be included in the DMin’s new offering. Heike Geist (DMin 2012), who teaches at Bieneberg Theological Seminary Switzerland observed, “Tyndale’s DMin program has sown seeds in my life in a tremendous way. It was a multi-ethnic experience. The cohort and my peer group became close friends—we shared some of our burdens and joys, we prayed for each other, and we were proud as parents seeing what developed in each other lives.”
The Spiritual Formation track starting in 2014 will build on the existing spiritual formation curriculum as well as including 2 multi-day, retreat-styled residencies per year for the three-year program. These retreats will take place in the Tyndale residence and will include times of teaching, worship, communal meals and prayer throughout the day and evening. Counsellors, pastors, Christian educators, spiritual directors and small group leaders who pursue a Spiritual Formation DMin will be able to learn in an environment that furthers personal transformation. Drawing upon insights from a wide range of disciplines, students will find their understanding and practice of Christian Formation will be expanded and deepened.