One of the more exciting recent developments in Christendom is the radically changing nature of ministry training. Education in general is being severely tested in our rapidly shifting culture, and seminary education is not immune to those pressures. Consequently, we’re seeing some interesting experiments on the landscape.
I was fortunate to be part of one of those experiments. Many of you know I just finished an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. Rather than train college graduates how to be professional ministers in Christendom churches, the MAGL was designed to equip ministers from all over the world to be missionaries in their own context, and to shift the locus of learning from the teachers to the students by grouping experienced and highly diverse students together in small learning communities called cohorts. It was an amazing experience that deeply affected my perspective on the Kingdom and on culture. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a ministry education that challenges the status quo.
Since the MAGL started about 10 years ago other schools and programs have followed suit, developing their own highly unique approach to missiological training programs for ministry in the 21st century.
One of the latest programs to enter the fray is the Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership from Northern Seminary in the Chicagoland area. My good friend, and fellow Fuller alum, JR Rozko has been working with some amazing missional thinkers and scholars like David Fitch, Alan Roxburgh, and Craign Van Gelder to put together an exciting new program of missional training that not only unique in content and format, but relatively affordable as well.
Things are changing fast. If you’re a minister looking to be further equipped at the graduate level for leadership in a post-Christian and post-Secular Western world, consider checking these programs out. You won’t be sorry.
UPDATE #2: Sadly, while I was able to get into MC535, all the other classes were full. Some of you are thinking, “That’s what he gets for waiting until the last minute!” but believe it or not, I’ve always waited until the last minute and never had any trouble before. (Sigh.) So, my second class is now “CN568: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on the Contemporary Family,” which I’m still excited about because the professors – John and Olive Drane – are stellar.
UPDATE #1: The people have spoken! According to your votes I will be taking “MC535: The Emerging Church in the Twenty-First Century” and “TH550: World Religions in Christian Perspective” (see vote totals below). Thank you for voting, classes start tomorrow!
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I need to take two Fuller Seminary courses this Spring and I’m having a hard time choosing. So, I thought, why not let my friends pick for me? You can skip to the poll below to choose two classes for me, or take a minute to read the course descriptions:
MC535: THE EMERGING CHURCH IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
Identifies characteristics of churches in postmodern and post-Christian contexts. Examine and consider how these communities embody their faith and what value it has for the broader Church. Explore the dynamics of the sacred/secular split, forms of community, contextual forms of apologetics, hospitality, new forms of participation, creativity, leadership, and the spirituality of everyday life. Theologically, the class will explore how the reign of God might manifest in worship, in formation, and in witness in postmodern cultures.
Upside: I already know a lot about this subject, it’s highly relevant to my mission, and it’s taught by a friend, JR Rozko.
Downside: I already know a lot about the subject : )
TH550: WORLD RELIGIONS IN CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The purpose of this course is twofold. First it will provide an overview of the world’s major religions–Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism–focusing on their emergence and history, core beliefs and practices, religious texts and interpretations, as well as contemporary influence and expressions. Second, this course introduces various approaches on how Christianity relates to other religions and religious pluralisms, technically known as the “theology of religions.” We will critically discuss Catholic and Protestant proposals and responses and attempt an outline of Evangelical approach. Case studies will be conducted regarding Islam-, Hindu-, Buddhist-, and Sikh-Christian encounters.
Upside: New material for me, plus living in SoCal, this should be highly relevant : )
OT502: THE HEBREW PROPHETS
The course studies the contents of the Former Prophets (Joshua to Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah to Malachi), their possible historical backgrounds, different approaches to their interpretation, and their significance for us today.
Upside: I’m really into the OT lately, and it’s taught by Fuller legend John Goldingay, whose Writings course I very much enjoyed.
Downside: I’ve had plenty of OT and NT classes in my life. At this stage of my education it’s nice to take more specialized courses, like…
TC530: THEOLOGY AND FILM
This course will consider a theology of culture by focusing on one particular aspect: theology and film. The course will (1) view, discuss and analyze a multicultural and global selection of films, (2) provide the student methodological and critical perspectives for engaging culture, both from the humanities and the social sciences, and (3) explore theological and biblical perspectives foundational to theology and film criticism.
Upside: This fits the “Theology and Culture” focus of my degree perfectly, and I very much enjoyed the Theology and Contemporary Literature course taught by the same professor, Rob Johnston.
Downside: I’ve already taken a film course (Engaging Independent Film), and this would probably be somewhat redundant, as that course drew heavily on Johnston’s work.
So, those are your (my) choices. Please pick two in the poll below before Sunday afternoon:
I was fortunate to be part of one of those experiments. Many of you know I just finished an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. Rather than train college graduates how to be professional ministers in Christendom churches, the MAGL was designed to equip ministers from all over the world to be missionaries in their own context, and to shift the locus of learning from the teachers to the students by grouping experienced and highly diverse students together in small learning communities called cohorts. It was an amazing experience that deeply affected my perspective on the Kingdom and on culture. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a ministry education that challenges the status quo.
