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Redemptive Ministry

Informing spiritual passions by…
Forming mentored learning communities, thereby…
Transforming ministers and ministries for a lifetime.

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Forming

“Redemptive Leaders not only unleash men and women to fulfill their calling – they reclaim them and show that even failure is never wasted.

Redemptive Leaders model that God doesn’t use you IN SPITE of who you are – He uses you BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.” Rodney L. Cooper, mentor

Increase the ability to facilitate a redemptive culture by developing a reflective ministry, that you may unleash the individuals around you to minister effectively with their god-given talents. This Redemptive Ministry track track is designed to help pastors and /or Para-church workers grow in understanding the foundations for leadership development from a multi-ethnic, team based, and theological context.

Guest lectures and strategic site visits with multi-ethnic leaders and ministries will give practical insight and application from those who have applied the principles both personally and organizationally taught in class. Plus, exposure to premier leadership spokespersons in the country.

Informing

“Gordon-Conwell was the place where God met me through community, challenged me through curriculum, and strengthened me in my core convictions.  I now have the tools I need, both as a disciple and as a leader, to help redefine the significance of the church in these critical times. Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin, track graduate

As a Doctor of Ministry student, you attend three two-week intensive residencies which consist of lectures, case studies, participant reports and individual consultations. The classroom sessions are collegial in style and stress learning within a community context.

Following each of the first two residencies, students complete a project related to the residency topic. After the third residency, they complete a major thesis-project under the guidance of their directing faculty.

In preparation for each residency, you read between 2,000 and 3,000 pages of assigned and collateral reading. Sample reading from this track includes:

• DeYmaz, John M., and Li, Harry W.  Leading a healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Seven Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them.  Zondervan/Leadership Network, 2010.
• Emerson, Michael O.; Smith, Christian. Divided By Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America.  Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Ajith Fernando. Jesus Driven Ministry.Crossway, 2002.
• Joseph P. Folger, Scot Marshall and Randall K. Stutman. Working Through Conflict, 3rd Edition. Longman Press, 1997.
• Leighton Ford. Transforming Leadership. IVP, 1991.
• Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading. Harvard Business School Press, 2002.
• Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima, Sr. Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership. Baker Books, 1997.
• Peter Scazzero. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.Integrity Pub. 2006.

To order these books through Christian Book Distributors, go to our online bookstore:

GCTS Bookstore

Transforming

Here is how your studies will transform you and your ministry by seeking to fulfill our general Doctor of Ministry goals in some track-specific ways:

• To resource students through a biblically-grounded educational program taught by faculty who are committed to God’s Word and the application of principles of Scripture to the issues of contemporary culture.
  • The first residency begins with the historical and Biblical foundations of leadership.
  • In the second residency, this study will develop into the Biblical and Theological foundations for teams.
  • During the third residency, students will be taking these foundations and assessing real ministry settings based on the foundations laid during residencies one and two.
• To form in students a sound foundation of theological and biblical inquiry in their professional doctoral program’s specialized track that they are able to integrate into the life of Christian ministry.
  • This track is developed and designed to help ministry professionals grow personally and professionally by understanding the foundations for leadership development, develop a solid understanding of a team based ministry and understand how to facilitate a redemptive culture in their particular ministry environment, thus unleashing the individuals around them to minister effectively with their god-given talents.
• To provide students with the skill set and understandings in a specialized area of ministry to such an extent that they can impact their congregation or community more powerfully for God.
  • This track is designed for the professional pastor and/or para-church worker who desires to develop and facilitate growth in their ministry and ministry personnel.
• To create through the cohort model of the program a dimension of Christian community and spiritual nurturing so that students form strong friendships with one another and enter long-term relationships with the scholars who guide the learning experience.
  • The first hour of every day will be used for devotions.
• To develop in students a deeper understanding of Christ’s lordship in all areas of life for the common good of the contemporary world.
  • Students will develop both intellectually and affectively as they are exposed to information that will hopefully buttress their recognition of Jesus working in them before He can work through them.
• To cultivate within students through critical reflection and careful research through the residencies and projects an enriched Christian witness in the places of society they are called to serve.
  • The third residency of this track is unique in that it will take place at various places around the country. Various ministry contexts will be explored in a case study format. The participants in the various sites will demonstrate practically the critical issues that have been covered in the first two residencies (such as team development, developing and open system, developing community among staff, etc.)
• To instill in students a refreshed view of their ministry as it relates to the proclamation of the Gospel among all people.
  • This track is designed for the professional pastor and/or para-church worker who desires to develop and facilitate and develop a healthy multi-ethnic ministry and personnel.