Doctor of Ministry Program in the Renewal of Church and Community Ministries Bangor Theological Seminary,

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1 Doctor of Ministry Program in the Renewal of Church and Community Ministries Bangor Theological Seminary, D.Min. Intensive I -August (2 credits) Location: College Circle Campus/Peabody Hall in the Small Classroom The Nature and Purpose of the Doctor of Ministry Program Bangor Theological Seminary offers a three-year Doctor of Ministry program for experienced practitioners in a variety of ministry settings. This advanced professional degree, designed to emphasize a collegial model of practical inquiry and theological reflection with both professional peers and Seminary faculty seeks to foster the renewal of both congregational and community ministries. The D.Min. program also aims at renewing theological dialogue between the candidate and both local and global academic contexts, as well as integrating theological insight gained through active engagement in practice. Special attention is also given to the arts of biblical exegesis, the study of theology, and contemporary ethical perspectives. In addition to on-campus seminars, Doctor of Ministry candidates engage in study and theological reflection with a team of diverse lay leaders in their ministry context (the Team). The candidate and his or her Team together develop a project in shared ministry. In the third year the candidate and the Team implement the project, which then becomes the focus of the candidate's Doctor of Ministry Report. Religious institutions in the United States and Canada are in the midst of fundamental cultural shifts. This Doctor of Ministry program invites religious leaders in diverse contexts to revisit their calling, take time for disciplined study of recent developments in theology, ministry and cultural studies, enhance their leadership skills, and enjoy a sustained opportunity to work with and learn from colleagues in ministry. Doctor of Ministry candidates are also encouraged to honor their own wisdom as practical theologians, to examine critically their social, cultural and ministry contexts, and to explore new forms of theological education for congregations and communities. The Educational Experience The Seminary seeks to provide a variety of educational experiences which accommodate different teaching and learning styles, including seminars, text studies, lectures, workshops and electronic learning. One advantage of the Doctor of Ministry structure is the colleague group. Candidates work together in seminars to explore each other s ministries, learn from recent developments in a variety of academic fields, and work individually with faculty members. The colleague group meets with faculty over a twoyear period; the third year is devoted to the ministry project. The program begins with a week-long Intensive Session on the Bangor campus during August, which includes an orientation to the program. It continues with four two-day sessions per semester either on campus or in a regional location during the academic year, culminating in another week-long Intensive Session during June.

2 The same pattern is followed during the second year. The monthly sessions meet over two days for approximately twenty-four hours. These sessions allow learning to occur both inside and outside formal classroom time. Faculty and candidates can air issues in depth without interruption. Candidates have a place where they can form lasting friendships, deepen their worship life, share common meals, and serve as teachers for one another. The Seminary is committed to a program that enables all members of a class to finish the program on a reasonable schedule. In addition, the faculty has found that candidates benefit from the experience of a community of peers who work together long enough to know each other s strengths and weaknesses, as well as challenges and opportunities. Such communities of common inquiry are more often effective for adult learners than the more traditional classroom setting. D.Min. Program Goals: To encourage a shift in ministry from preoccupation with institutional survival to reviving faithful leadership for the transformation of church and society. To foster a shift from highly clericalized to more collaborative models of ministry. To nurture leadership skills, spiritual integrity, and collegial learning among reflective practitioners in diverse ministry settings. The August 16-20, 2010 Intensive Session The initial session begins with orientation to the program, the Seminary s Bangor campus, and library resources and sets the stage for the first seminar. (2 credits) Goals for the August Intensive: To provide a hospitable welcome and context for new D.Min. candidates to begin to know one another along with available faculty and staff at the seminary. To work together to establish a learning group and to form together a Group Covenant to guide our life together. To provide a careful orientation to the entire D.Min. program in all its aspects, including BTS Library resources, our approach to the educational endeavor, and especially to the work of the first Unit on Context and Vocation. Required Reading for the August Intensive: 1) The D.Min. Program Handbook 2) Embodying Forgiveness: A Theological Analysis by L. Gregory Jones (Eerdmans, 1995).

3 Please bring an English translation of the Bible with you to the August Intensive August Intensive Calendar: Monday August 16 Afternoon and Evening 12 Noon Arrival Lunch Provided in the Classroom Opening Prayers Led by Rev. Dr. Susan E. Davies, Intensive Instructor 1:30 PM Orientation begins -- Welcome and Introductions 2:00 PM--Logistical needs for the week: 1) Room assignments and keys, dining hall meal tickets, parking concerns Patricia Annis, Assistant to the President and Deans 2) Registrations with BTS Registrar Danielle Lavine 3) Financial Aid concerns with Fae Gilbride, Admissions and Financial Aid 4) Fees payment with Caroline Hammond, Staff Accountant 4::00 PM The D.Min. Program Handbook Presentation and Discussion 5:00 PM Vespers - Led by D.Min. Candidate 6:00 PM Monday Evening Dinner at the President Kent Ulery s Home at 782 Broadway -Introductions to available faculty Tuesday August 17 Morning and Afternoon and Evening 8:30 am Morning Prayers Led by D.Min. Candidate 9:00 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Ron Baard, Presentation 10:30 a.m. Orientation continues --Building the Learning Group --Sharing Current Contexts Noon - Lunch 1:00 p.m. Orientation continues -- Academic Dean T. Richard Snyder Overview of all the components of the 3 D.Min. years 3:00 pm Building the Learning Group Continue Sharing Current Contexts and Building the Group Covenant

4 5:00 PM Vespers Led by D.Min. Candidate 6:00 PM Tuesday Evening Dinner in small groups on your own: Preparing for Friday morning discussion of assigned reading. Wednesday August 18 Morning and Afternoon 8:30 am Morning Prayers Led by D.Min. Candidate 9:00 am Complete Group Covenant 10:00 am Library and Research Tools Orientation Laurie McQuarrie BTS Library Director Noon - Lunch 1:00 PM Present and discuss: Fall 2010 D.Min. Unit I Syllabus: Context and Vocation 3:30 PM Field Trip to the BTS Bookstore, Manager - Cheryl Hawkins 4:00 PM Brief Tour of Husson College led by President Ulery 5:00 PM - Vespers Led by D.Min. Candidate Wednesday Evening Free (Dinner on your own or in small groups) Thursday August 19 Morning and Afternoon and Evening 8:30 am Morning Prayers Led by D.Min. Candidate A day for spiritual refreshment 5:30 pm Thursday Evening Cookout for D.Min Candidates and faculty on the Husson College Campus Friday August 20 Morning thru Lunch 8:30 am Closing Worship Led by Dr. Susan E. Davies, Meditation by President Kent Ulery 9:00 am: --Group Discussion Theme: The Renewal of Vocation Resource Book: Embodying Forgiveness by L. Gregory Jones (Eerdmans, 1995) 11:50 am Closing Prayer led by D.Min. Candidate Noon: Lunch and Depart for Home

5 Unit I: Context and Vocation (Fall 2010) The opening seminar provides an opportunity for candidates to reflect critically on the meaning of vocation and ministry within the context of contemporary North American culture in a global context. It also prepares candidates for gathering their Teams. The Syllabus for the Unit I Seminar will be distributed and discussed at the August Intensive. (4 credits) Fall Unit I Seminar Meeting Dates (Each monthly meeting of the D.Min. seminar takes place from 11 am Monday to Noon Tuesday at The First Parish Congregational Church in Saco, Maine. Directions to the church will be provided.) Please mark your calendars for these dates: September 13-14: Required Reading: Elizabeth A. Johnson, Quest for the Living God: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God. October 11-13: Required Reading: Joerg Rieger, Christ and Empire: From Paul to Postcolonial Times November 8-9: Required Reading: Emanuel Larety, Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World December 13-14: Required Reading: Janet K. Ruffing, ed. Mysticism and Social Transformation, Unit I Seminar books can be purchased at the BTS bookstore located in the lower level of Bell Hall across from Peabody Hall on the College Circle Campus.