Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, announced its new Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) program called "Missional Leadership Concentration." The new professional doctorate degree program will address the increasing complexity of mission work in North America by equipping pastors for a higher level of competence in the pastoral ministry.

"The United States is now recognized as one of the largest mission fields in the world," commented Dr. David Peter, director of the Doctor of Ministry program. "The cultural landscape of this country is largely de-churched or unchurched. This is a significant challenge for pastors and their congregations. But it also provides a tremendous opportunity to bring Christ to those who do not know Him, as well as to strengthen the faith of disciples, all through the means of grace. This is the mission of Christ's church. And this is what we seek to support through this new concentration."

The purpose of the Missional Leadership Concentration is to transform pastors and their congregations in their commitment and ability to witness in Word and deed to God's salvation in Jesus Christ and to share the reconciling Gospel with those alienated from God by unbelief. This concentration includes subjects such as outreach/evangelism, assimilation, formation of lay leaders, stewardship development, change and conflict management, strategic planning, church planting and extension, and administration. The goal for students is to discern opportunities formission in their distinctive contexts of ministry and then exercise missional leadership in a theologically competent and confident manner.

Students enrolled in the Missional Leadership Concentration will be required to take 24 credit hours selected from class offerings approved for the concentration. Included in this requirement are classes on the Mission of God (Missio Dei), leadership in the congregation, a cross-cultural practicum and electives within the concentration. Elective classes also may be taken outside of the concentration. Completion of 54 credit hours is required to receive the Doctor of Ministry degree.

The D.Min. program is an in-service program enabling students to complete the doctoral degree while remaining in full-time ministry. Two other concentrations are offered—in Homiletics and in General Pastoral Ministry. For more information about any of the concentrations, contact Dr. David Peter, director of the D.Min. program, at (314) 505-7100 or [email protected].