NORTHWIND DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Center Director

The Master and Doctor in Specialized or Contextual Ministry degrees with a concentration in Faith-Based Community Development at Northwind Seminary prepare leaders to help communities and congregations engage the systems of power in neighborhood settings (new parish model), and work for the peace and shared prosperity (shalom) of the place that they have been sent by God to minister.

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"'Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper… For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" – Jeremiah 29:7-11

Beyond personal acts of kindness, church outreach, and ministries of service, God’s mission in the world includes social justice, reconciliation, collaborative ministry, and community transformation. Northwind offers a professional certificate and degree concentrations in faith-based community development and fresh expressions of ecclesia for the postmodern, post-denominational era of missio dei.

Students will learn how to study their communities, engage systems of institutional racism, generational poverty, immigration, environmental crises, and changing neighborhoods.  

Graduates will know how to lead congregations and community organizations in ministries of healing, health, and reconciliation so that all people in the neighborhood parish can flourish.  

This program is ideal for those who are:

• Called and committed to compassionate ministries, rural or urban community development, and multicultural collaboration  

• Already involved in community-based, non-profit ministry connected to local churches

• Community leaders and practitioners inspired by the place-based community development work of Communities of Shalom, Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), or the Parish Collective

• Church leaders with a personal passion for congregational revitalization and community transformation in the NeXt Church or “New Thing” God is doing in the world (Isaiah 43:19)

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A Doctor in Specialized Ministry degree is a professional doctorate in a specific understanding of ministry. Similar to the Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin), the DSMin requires 36 credit-hours of professional study leading to portfolio research, and paper which is reviewed by a faculty committee. 

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A Doctor in Contextualized Ministry degree is a professional doctorate in a specific practice of ministry. Similar to the Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin), the DCMin requires 36 credit-hours of professional study leading to portfolio research, project, and paper, reviewed by a faculty committee. 

These degrees are ideal for those who desire guided education and supervised project development with direct application to the understanding or practice of ministry.

Though not academic teaching degrees, these doctoral programs prepare 
candidates for the highest level of professional development offered by a theological seminary. 

Prerequisite:(Option to Test Out)

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Christian Tradition

Six 3- Credit Courses:

Introduction to Graduate Studies

Theology of Place

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Specialized Skills for Community Development

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Community Social Innovation

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Collaborative Organizational Development

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Social Justice and Community Development

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Two 6-Credit Courses:

Capstone Project

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Capstone Paper

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Prerequisite: (Option to Test Out)

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Christian Tradition

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Six 3- Credit Courses:

Introduction to Graduate Studies

Theology of Place

​

Specialized Skills for Community Development

​

Community Social Innovation

​

Collaborative Organizational Development

​

Social Justice and Community Development

​

Two 6-Credit Courses:

Capstone Research 

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Capstone Paper

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