A.J. Gordon Guild

The A.J. Gordon Guild is a doctoral-level support and study program in relationship with London School of Theology that includes mentoring, peer support, guidance on academic writing skills, research direction and supervision, resource counsel and guidance in the composition of theses.   The Guild will encourage collegiality and cooperation in the pursuit of an evangelical graduate-level educational experience.

Requirements

Participants must be M.Div. graduates (normally Th.M. or D.Min. graduates) who have been accepted into a doctoral program (Ph.D., Th.D. or another graduate degree) either in the Boston area or in a recognized extension program from a graduate school (LST/Middlesex University). Guild scholars are expected to participate in the Evangelical Homiletics Society (EHS) https://ehomiletics.com/.  Guild scholars will have the opportunity to meet with other Guild members at the annual EHS meeting.

The Guild has particular interest in promoting and developing men and women of all ethnic, racial, class, and gender representations in the area of homiletics in order to strengthen the field of homiletics in theological education in the United States and around the world.

The Guild: Named for A.J. Gordon

Dr. Gordon's pulpit was Boston, but his congregation was the world.Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836-1895) was the founder of the Gordon (1889) side of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Gordon was a scholar-preacher who served at Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston from 1869 until his death in 1895. His twenty-five years of preaching at Clarendon Street had a profound impact not only on Boston, but beyond. As one observer wrote, “Dr. Gordon’s pulpit was Boston, but his congregation was the world.” A.J. Gordon’s commitment to study and to the preaching the gospel to all people and to the world made his preaching ministry distinct.

Relationship with London School of Theology

Guild Scholars will be enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program through Middlesex University/London School of Theology (LST). The program is three (3) years full-time or four and a half (4.5) years part-time. Prospective candidates must:

  1. have at least two to five years experience in pastoral ministry as the preaching pastor.
  2. possess the Master of Divinity (M.Div.).
  3. secure a thesis supervisor from the preaching faculty at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
  4. complete the London School of Theology application form by contacting Doreen Rosser at [email protected]
  5. complete the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary application forms.
  6. secure a London School of Theology second supervisor.
  7. undergo an interview with members of the preaching faculty at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  This can be done via Skype.
  8. pay tuition and fees to London School of Theology for three years full-time or four and a half years part-time.
  9. pay tuition and fees to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for three years full-time or four and a half years part-time.
  10. travel to London School of Theology for one to two weeks each year of the program.
  11. participate in the Evangelical Homiletics Society.

FAQs

What is the A.J. Gordon Guild?

The GCTS A.J. Gordon Guild is a doctoral-level support and study program in relationship with London School of Theology that includes mentoring, guidance on academic writing skills, research direction and supervision, resource counsel, and guidance in the composition of theses.

Is it a Gordon-Conwell Degree?

No.  Although supervision is provided by the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary preaching faculty for the degree, the degree is offered through London School of Theology and Middlesex University in England.

Do I pay tuition and fees to London School of Theology, Middlesex University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary?

Yes.  Essentially, half tuition is paid to London School of Theology and half to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for three years full-time or four and a half years part-time, and in addition yearly fees are paid to all three schools.  Students must have the ability to pay their tuition and fees on time.  Students are expected to purchase the necessary books for their program of study in order to develop a scholar’s library.  There are no scholarships available for this program.

How long is the program?

36 months (3 years) full-time or 54 months (4.5 years) part-time.  Full-time students should expect to pursue their research five days a week (at 45 hours a week).  This is a distance education program.

Can I enroll into the program immediately upon completion of a Master of Divinity or Master of Theology in Preaching?

Not usually.  Since the emphasis is on preaching, admission to the program requires at least two to five years experience in pastoral ministry as the preaching pastor.

Are there any classes in which a student is enrolled?

No. The degree is modeled on the British system and is completed by independent research under the supervision of a Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary faculty mentor and a London School of Theology second supervisor.  Students write a thesis.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) thesis will have no more than 80,000 words (including footnotes) of an independent and original contribution to the field of homiletics.

What are the costs?

Tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year in rough terms is approximately $12,500 full-time and $8,300 part-time (tuition is split between Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and London School of Theology).  There will be a modest increase in tuition every year.

In addition to tuition are fees charged by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, London School of Theology and Middlesex University. Yearly fees include: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Student Services fee ($175 per semester) and London School of Theology (approximately $1270 Registration fee and $350 Administration fee).

Continuation fees are assessed yearly by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary ($500 per semester) and London School of Theology (approximately $500) for students who extend their study beyond three years full-time or four and a half years part-time.

Can I defer my loans?

Please contact London School of Theology for further information.  Contact Mr. Peter Mills, School Accountant for London School of Theology for updates on loan deferment by email.

Is the program open to international students?

Yes!

Who was A.J. Gordon?

Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836-1895) was the founder of the Gordon (1889) side of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  Dr. Gordon was a scholar-preacher who served at Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston from 1869 until his death in 1895.  His twenty-five years of preaching at Clarendon Street had a profound impact not only on Boston, but beyond.  As one observer wrote, “Dr. Gordon’s pulpit was Boston, but his congregation was the world.”  A.J. Gordon’s commitment to study and to the preaching of the gospel to all people and to the world made his preaching ministry distinct.

Is admission limited?

Yes.  The A.J. Gordon Guild accepts two students a year to the program.

What should I do first?

Apply by submitting the application form below to Dr. Patricia Batten, Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching.  Applications are screened by the Gordon-Conwell preaching department. The committee will determine eligibility and possibly schedule an interview in person or by Skype for admission to the A.J. Gordon Guild.  Only after a favorable interview with the preaching department at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and admission to the A.J. Gordon Guild, may the applicant proceed in contacting the Research Administrator at London School of Theology to begin the application process to London School of Theology.

Application to the A.J. Gordon Guild

https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-preaching/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/08/AJGordonGuildApplication-revised-2.pdf

Please do not contact the Admissions Office of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  Information for the A.J. Gordon Guild is coordinated by Dr. Patricia Batten, Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching

Dr. Patricia Batten
Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
130 Essex Street
South Hamilton, MA  01982
Email:  [email protected]

 

For Further Information:

Patricia Batten
Associate Director of the Haddon W. Robinson Center for Preaching
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
130 Essex Street
South Hamilton, MA  01982

[email protected]

 

A.J. Gordon Guild/Ph.D.

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