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.
"'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:
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Called and committed to compassionate ministries, rural or urban community development, and multicultural collaboration
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Already involved in community-based, non-profit ministry connected to local churches
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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
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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)
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.
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.
Director of The Center for Theology, Spirituality, and Ministry at Northwind
Professor of Theology, Academic Dean
Michael is an ordained United Methodist minister and Executive Director of WorldHope Corps—an international development agency that provides clean water and community development training in Africa and elsewhere. Formerly National Director of Communities of Shalom of The United Methodist Church, he is the author or editor eleven books on spirituality and social justice, including: Children of Chernobyl, City Streets City People, The Samaritan’s Imperative, and Equipping the Saints: Mobilizing Laity for Ministry.
Faculty Mentors in Northwind’s Faith-Based Community Development
Core faculty, visiting professors, and guest lecturers serve as Faculty Mentors in the program, offering original lectures, recommended resources, and periodic participation in group discussions and doctoral committees. In addition to Professor Christensen, this year’s program faculty include:
Listen to Amy Moritz’s interview with Northwind Faculty mentor Annie Allen on her personal story of institutional racism, and the hope she finds today in new stories of faith-based community development and fresh expressions of church as a healing and reconciling body:
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Master's Degree
Contextual Ministry
30 Credit Hours
Prerequisite:(Option to Test Out)
Christian Tradition
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 Project
Capstone Paper
Doctoral Degree
Contextualized Ministry
36 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: (Option to Test Out)
Christian Tradition
Four 3- Credit Courses:
Theology of Place
Specialized Skills for Community Development
Community Social Innovation
Collaborative Organizational Development
-- or --
Social Justice and Community Development
Four 6-Credit Courses:
Portfolio Methods
Portfolio Research I
Portfolio Project
Portfolio Paper
Master's Degree
Specialized Ministry
30 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: (Option to Test Out)
Christian Tradition
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
Capstone Paper
Doctoral Degree
Specialized Ministry
36 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: (Option to Test Out)
Christian Tradition
Four 3- Credit Courses:
Theology of Place
Specialized Skills for Community Development
Community Social Innovation
Collaborative Organizational Development
-- or --
Social Justice and Community Development
Four 6-Credit Courses:
Portfolio Methods
Portfolio Research I
Portfolio Research II
Portfolio Paper
Faculty-Mentor Directed
The Faculty Mentor facilitates scheduled video conversations and participates in the portfolio preparation and examination.
Online and Flexible
Students set their own schedule and proceed at their own pace. Each course can be completed within 30 to 90 days.
Capstone Experience
Students in Master's Programs journey through a series of research milestones to generate the final Capstone Project that addresses a
Need or Opportunity in their ministry context.
Portfolio Experience
Students journey through a series of research milestones to generate the final Project Portfolio that addresses a new understanding of their approach to ministry.