​Summary

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Expository Preaching is a thirty-four credit hour professional degree program designed to provide churchmen with an advanced grasp of biblical and theological studies. The program is designed for pastors who already possess a Master of Divinity (or equivalent) and who have substantial pastoral experience. Students can expect extensive reading and considerable writing assignments that involve significant research. 

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Our Unique Approach to the D.Min.

The Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching is designed for experienced pastors who desire to sharpen their ministerial skills and broaden their understanding of biblical and theological studies. Unlike other D.Min. programs requiring a ministry project, the FTS D.Min. culminates in an expository thesis completed under our expert faculty's careful guidance. The goal of the D.Min. is singular: To equip men to serve the church with excellence in preaching. 

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Course Format

Doctor of Ministry courses are delivered via a learning management system. The courses consist of considerable reading and writing assignments. Students can expect approximately 2,500 pp. of reading and an average of 30-40 pp. of written assignments per course. D.Min. courses are undertaken as semi-independent study. Following the completion of each course's written and reading assignments, students complete a live one-on-one competency review with a professor.

 

Doctoral Professors

All doctoral-level professors possess a terminal degree and have significant experience in full-time ministry. They have learned to integrate biblical, theological, historical, and practical resources into successful ministries. These professors serve as Pastor-Theologians who, having considerable educational credentials, have demonstrated longstanding competence in pastoral leadership.

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Meet the Director of the FTS Doctor of Ministry

Dr. Kevin Hay serves as the director of the FTS D.Min. program. Dr. Hay is pastor of Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX) and a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from the Master's Seminary (Los Angeles, CA). ​​​​​​​​​

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D.Min. Courses (23 Credit Hours)

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Theological Research, Writing, and Rhetoric (3 Credit Hours)

Theological Research, Writing, and Rhetoric is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to engage in rigorous theological research and produce high-quality academic writing. This course aims to cultivate critical thinking, research competence, and effective communication within the realms of theology, biblical studies, and ministry.

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​Marriage and Family (4 Credit Hours)

This course consists of an advanced biblical overview of the unique challenges faced in ministry to families. It is focused on accurately and appropriately instructing families in varied situations. Careful attention will be given to pursuing biblical fidelity, genuine heart change, and apprehension of the basis for marriage and the ethical and theological issues surrounding divorce and remarriage.

 

Ecclesiology (4 Credit Hours)

This course focuses on major issues concerning the doctrine and practice of the church from a biblical context. This will include such topics as the relationship between the church and Israel, the governance structures of the church, the traditional marks of the church, the ordinances of the church, as well as the church’s mission in the world. In addition, current methodological issues surrounding the doctrine of the church will be addressed.

 

Biblical Counseling Theory and Method (4 Credit Hours)

Biblical Counseling Theory and Method is designed to equip ministry professionals for leadership in ministering and counseling from a biblical foundation. Specifically, the course is designed for congregational ministers and others who may serve in counseling roles, whether vocationally or on the one-another level. Students will complete a significant amount of the requirements for IABC certification.

 

Hermeneutics (4 Credit Hours)

This course will provide an expansive immersion in biblical hermeneutics and exegesis with particular emphasis on New Testament interpretation. Students will consider comparative and historical methods for biblical interpretation and delineate theological implications for faith and practice. Drawing upon the course content, students will develop an in-depth exegesis of a specified pericope.

 

​​​​Pastoral Theology (4 Credit Hours)

Pastoral Theology provides an advanced grasp of the qualifications, responsibilities, and calling of the local church pastor. Significant attention is devoted to pulpit ministry, homiletical theory, and sermon development. Students will develop an exegetically informed view of key elements in pastoral theology.

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​Thesis (11 credit hours)

The final portion of the D.Min. program is the creation an expository thesis that includes a seven part exposition of a selected book or section of Scripture. Each sermon will constitute a masterful exposition of the pericope consisting of approximately forty five minutes to one hour of material. D.Min. candidates will work together with a supervisor to select their passages, and the resultant sermons will constitute the thesis, in conjunction with an introductory chapter and a chapter on the biblical and theological basis for expository preaching. 

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Time Limitations

Although Doctoral courses are asynchronous, each course has a time limitation of 20 weeks.

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Schedule of Fees

All doctoral students pay a flat tuition subscription of $80 established by the seminary administration. This fee covers tuition only and does not cover the cost of books and the graduation fee. Matriculated students who fail to meet their tuition requirements are placed on academic probation for a period of one calendar week. Students who exceed that week are suspended from their program. Reinstatement involves remitting all past-due tuition fees and the payment of a reinstatement fine of $50.

• Tuition | $80 per month.

• Graduation Cost | $65

• Textbook Costs | Students should expect to invest $60-120 in textbooks for each course. Acquiring used books may significantly reduce this expense.

 

Admissions Prerequisites

• An undergraduate degree consisting of at least four years of full-time study.

• A Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. 

• A minimum of three years of documentable work as a pastor in a local church context. 

• General agreement with Forge Theological Seminary’s doctrinal stance.

• Advanced proficiency in English.