Perkins offers the Doctor of
Ministry degree with an emphasis in spiritual life and
formation. Building on
the leadership track of the program, this emphasis is
designed to meet a series of goals:
- To encourage a deeper and more dynamic understanding of
the Christian spiritual tradition that is, at once, more
conversant with the Christian tradition and sensitive to
the spiritual practice of others
- To advance the study of spirituality
- To provide pastors, priests and other ministers with
conceptual understandings needed to distinguish between
spiritual direction, pastoral care and therapy
- To foster an understanding of the world’s changing
spiritual landscape
- To nurture the spiritual humility making it possible
not only to tolerate, but also to learn from spiritual
traditions differing from our own
- To encourage an awareness of that landscape’s
diversity
- To explore the intersection between issues of
spirituality and other dimensions of life
- To explore the complementary relationship between
spirituality and theology
- To provide the understanding and skills needed to
provide others with spiritual direction and guidance
The four core courses to be taught as a part of the
emphasis will be drawn from the following list:
Making Sense of the American Spiritual Landscape
Examines social and cultural forces that shape spiritual
practice in the United States and addresses the relationship
of Christian spiritual practice to those forces.
Spirituality and Theology
Focuses on the complementary relationship between
spirituality and theology, examining the way in which
spiritual practice shapes and is shaped by theology.
The History of Christian Spirituality
Focuses on the history and diversity of Christian spiritual
practice, examining the theological assumptions, social
context and shape of major Christian traditions.
Spiritual Traditions and World Religions
Focuses on spiritual traditions beyond the Christian
tradition, including differences, similarities and the
possible shape of dialog between them.
Boundary Issues
Focuses on the complementary, but distinctly different
character of spiritual formation/direction, pastoral care and
therapy.
Application materials and information on current
course offerings are available upon request. If you
have any questions, please contact the Doctor of Ministry
office at 214.768.2124 or the Office of Spiritual Life and
Formation at 214.768.2292. |
