In this course we will wrestle theologically with the praxis of creatively communicating the gospel in the unique, diverse spaces to which we have been called exploring means and mediums of communication most effective for these spaces. The course will have a focus on communication—understood expansively, which includes public speaking, creating content for social media and websites, expressing yourself clearly in podcasts and vlogs, and writing to publish. Topics explored will include digital theology, contextualizing the gospel for individuals and communities in a dominant digital world, creating gospel narratives for public spaces, and leading and equipping others to form their own contextualized narratives of communicating the gospel in their own unique physical and digital spaces.

Designed to deepen our understanding of how to communicate the gospel in different parts of the biblical text as a theological and pastoral activity of proclamation in the world. Different topics are offered each year. The emphasis is on how one can practice intergenerational and intercultural proclamation of the Word in the places of ministry to which we are called.

Provides a biblical theological understanding and practical tools for Christian pastoral care in times of grief, transition and loss. Topics include how the Christian tradition portrays death, grief and lament; how Christians have practiced care for the dying and grieving over the centuries; and how to offer appropriate care to others in times of loss, including home and hospital visitation, planning and conducting funerals, and ongoing support.

Provides an exploration of trauma and traumatic loss, with a particular focus on the relationship between grief, mourning, and the psychological and emotional processes that accompany different forms of trauma. Students will examine the distinctions between normal grief responses and complex, often prolonged, healing processes associated with traumatic loss. Through engagement with the course readings, case studies, and practical applications, students will develop an understanding of trauma informed care. Special attention will be given to pastoral ministry approaches, equipping students with practical strategies and theological insights to provide compassionate, effective support to help survivors heal.

Students will explore the history of Thanatology, foundational and contemporary grief theories/models, the dying process, and end-of life care. To understand grief and loss, students will examine their own loss stories and those of others. Further, students will develop a biblically and theologically grounded definition of grief and bereavement care to use in the design of a grief or bereavement care program. The definition and program will be described in words, images and/or diagrams and used as a chapter in the research portfolio, and as a bridge to the field research project.

Thoroughly investigates the goal and purpose of the church and why that matters for the church and for the world. Students will robustly engage the practice of hospitality in both theological understanding and practice in their ministry context. Participating in the life, ministry, and mission of the Triune God will lead to new insights concerning host, guest, food, and formation connected with the table, as well as relationships within the church congregation and connections with the local neighbourhood. Students further explore the inter-connection between worship and witness to understand the practices appropriate to their context, such as gratitude and communal discernment.

Equip students with the tools and disciplines necessary to apply appropriate discernment amidst conflict and change in their community. By exploring the disciplines of epistemology, contextualization, and biblical/theological reflection, this course will utilize an interdisciplinary approach to help students build a local imagination for how hospitality is extended in their context. This course is paired with DMML 0952 Integration Proposal.

Equip students with practical strategies and experimental approaches to cultivate radical hospitality within their faith communities. Building on the foundations of communal discernment and a theology of hospitality, students will engage deeply with biblical texts, strategic frameworks, and practical tools to reframe their personal and communal "plausibility structures". There will also be an exploration of shifting from a posture of "domesticated faith" to one of active, transformative engagement with the broader public. Emphasizing both theoretical insight and practical experimentation, this course challenges students to develop strategic plans that extend the table of hospitality, address roadblocks to reframing, and integrate sustainable rhythms of discipleship in their contexts.

An exploration of the place of discernment in the life of the Christian and of the church, including such topics as attending to the Spirit, and developing individual and communal discernment practices.

An overview of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation including historical background, foundational issues, and current movements including such topics as the nature of Christian experience, transformation, and caring.

An analysis of selected historical and contemporary movements and models intended to cultivate spiritual growth, including such topics as Ignatian, revivalistic, contemplative, and missional spiritualities.

An integration of Biblical and psychological insights, formational prayer, and transformational spiritual direction, using teaching, modeling, and group experience and including such topics as woundedness, addictions, and healthy ego development.

An investigation into how the Bible presents spiritual formation and how the Bible can be employed in spiritual formation, including such topics as worship, Bible study, and lectio divina.

An exploration of ancient practices of the church that will enhance one's spiritual well-being in the midst of the busyness of daily life and ministry. This will include practices such as contemplative prayer, being in silence and solitude, listening to God to discern his voice and discovering what it means to rest in God.

A theoretical and practical review of dyadic relationships such as mentoring, discipleship, and spiritual direction that play a critical role in spiritual formation. This integrative course explores Christian spiritual formation in community, providing a theoretical and practical review of the relational and communal context of Christian formation. This includes an examination of the identity, structures and practices of Christian community. It also explores historic Christian disciplines and relationships to cultivate a theologically reflective practice of Christian discipleship. Includes application of learning to ministry.

Directed Reading and Research (DRR) courses allow students to study in a specific area of interest not addressed by the scheduled course offerings. Permission required.

An exploration of the issues related to suffering, adversity, death, dying and grief. These issues will be examined from a theological, psychological and spiritual perspective in order to be able to respond in an appropriate pastoral manner. What is critical in all of this is to discover God's role in all of life including the end of life.

Provides support and guidance for continuing in and completing work for the DMin program. Pass/No Pass. No credits. Permission required.

An overview of the ancient and contemporary practice of writing a spiritual autobiography and the composition of one's own spiritual memoir. Project report will be included in your research portfolio.

Students will develop a biblically grounded and informed spiritual formation model and describe it with words, image and/or diagram. Students will learn the components of a spiritual formation model, be able to identify spiritual formation models in Christian history and Scriptures, and other forms of stories. They will also develop a theological foundation for their own models. The model will be a chapter in the research portfolio and will provide a thematic bridge to the field research project.

A research project on a ministry of spiritual formation leading to experimental findings, the development of applied ministry competences, and practical positive changes to an individual's ministry. Project report will be included in your research portfolio. Pre-requisites: DMSF 0941 and DMSF 0942.

Facilitates the completion of the summative Doctor of Ministry document, integrating the main three research projects in a portfolio that meets publication standards. Includes a public presentation and an oral hearing based on the portfolio and the objectives of the program. Normally the last course; normally runs from January to December. Prerequisites: DMSF 0941, DMSF 0942 and DMSF 0943.

Long before the year 1500, global Christianity stretched from Iceland and Ireland to Mongolia and south to Ethiopia. Across this vast area, people of faith confronted dramatically differing and constantly changing circumstances. They made decisions about culture, political power, the spiritual life, the canon of Scripture, and doctrine, decisions that shaped the flow of human history, and they experienced both success and loss on the grand scale. The narrative of the course and the reading from materials they wrote carries students into the dynamism of early Christian life.

The excitement and the trauma of the reformation period in Europe extended over two hundred years. Events changed the face of the continent. However, as the period came to an end, Christians emerged with another focus, and it was once again global. Migrations and missions saw them establish their faith around the world. However, intercontinental conditions, coupled with emerging attitudes in Europe and the Americas, stimulated surprising changes. By the middle of the 20th century, the centre of Christian life was shifting from the northern hemisphere to the south. Tracks with these developments and the thought underlying them. Writings from the participants lead students into the fervor of the times.