the doc tor of minis try progra m academic handbook · 2018. 10. 8. · 3 ligonier.org /dmin the...

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ligonier academy, doctor of ministry progra m

465 ligonier court, sa nford, florida 32771

T h e D o c T o r o f M i n i s T ry P r o g r a M

Rev. 10.17.11

AcademicHandbook

2 l igon i er.org/dm i n t h e doctor of m i n ist ry prog r a m

3Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry:

An Introduction

4Doctor of Ministry: Program Structure

5Is the Doctor of Ministry Program Right For You?

6Our Doctrinal and Spiritual

Commitments

7Our Motto and Logo

8Campus

9Authorization and Accreditation

10Board of Directors

11Leadership and Faculty

16Student Standards of Faith

and Conduct

17Application Procedures

18Course Offerings

21Academic Policies

24Tuition and Fees

7

18


The Doctor of Ministry degree is the highest professional degree for men in ministry. As ministers, you know that both theology and practice are of vital importance—yet so many in our day seem to value one at the expense of the other. Right theology is indispensible, but it’s also essential that

we communicate and impart God’s truths to God’s people in a life-changing way. True, God-glorifying church growth is always built from the centrality of Jesus Christ and God’s matchless, inerrant Word (1 Tim. 3:15). At Ligonier Academy, the Doctor of Ministry program provides a unique blend of coursework on the central theological issues of the historic Christian faith as well as the practical issues of preaching, worship, evangelism and missions—all taught by a first-rate faculty including seasoned theologians and experienced pastors such as Dr. R.C. Sproul, Dr. D.A. Carson, Dr. Michael S. Horton, Dr. Steven J. Lawson and Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson.

T H e D o C T o R o F M i n i S T R y p R o G R A M i S A p R o F e S S i o n A L D e G R e e F o R p A S T o R S , M i S S i o n A R i e S , A n D o T H e R S i n v o Lv e D i n F u L L -T i M e M i n i S T R y W H o D e S i R e T o R e A C H n e W L e v e L S o F R e F L e C T i o n o n A n D C o M p e T e n C e i n T H e p R A C T i C e o F M i n i S T R y . T H e p R o G R A M e M p H A S i z e S T H e A p p L i C AT i o n o F T H e o L o G y A n D T H e M e A n S o F G R A C e T o M i n i S T R y.


The Doctor of Ministry program consists of eight, one-week intensive courses in addition to the successful completion of a Major project. each of the courses

is three credits (24 total course credits) and the Major project is six credits. The tuition is $350/credit (subject to a possible increase once per year).

At this point, two courses are offered annually in January and two courses annually in July (four courses per calendar year). While a student can complete all eight courses in two years, they need not do so as long as they complete all requirements for the Doctor of Ministry degree (including the Major project) within six years from the time of matriculation.

After the student has completed at least six of the eight courses, he can advance to the Major project provided he has a cumulative GpA of at least 3.0. The Major project must be completed within one year from when it is commenced (by the acceptance of the project proposal by the Doctor of Ministry project Director).

The courses are further described under "Course offerings. The Major project is described under "Academic policies: Degree Requirements" and in much further detail in the Major project Manual.

PrograM sTrUcTUre


The applicant’s graduate level work must include a total of 90 semester hours with a minimum of the following:

18 hours of OT studies, covering introduction, survey, theology, and Hebrew (with at least 2 hours of Hebrew exegesis)

18 hours of NT studies, covering introduction, survey, theology, and Greek (with at least 2 hours of Greek exegesis)

12 hours of systematic theology, covering all theological loci 10 hours of practical theology (homiletics, missions, counseling, etc.)6 hours of church history or historical theology2 hours of hermeneutics

As part of the application process, every applicant is asked to submit a sample research paper in some area of biblical or theological studies. The paper should demonstrate a firm grasp of the research and writing skills that are expected of a D.Min. student.

p Rov i S i o nA L AC C e p TA nC e

exceptions to the admission requirements above will be considered on a case-by-case basis. in such exceptional cases, admission to the program may be granted, but only on a provisional basis. The conditions for full admission and a date for their fulfillment will be specified in writing to the applicant. up to that date, he may complete courses and earn credits in the program in accordance with the conditions set forward in the provisional acceptance. When the date for fulfillment of the conditions arrives, the Admissions Committee will conduct a review to determine if the applicant has satisfied those conditions and should be granted or denied full admission to continue in the program.

A D M i S S i o n T o T H e p R o G R A M i S L i M i T e D T o o R D A i n e D M e n W H o H A v e S e R v e D i n T H e p A S T o R A T e , i n T H e M i S S i o n F i e L D , o R o T H e R F u L L -T i M e M i n i S T Ry F o R AT L e A S T T H R e e y e A R S A F T e R R e C e i v i n G A G R A D u A T e ( p R o F e S S i o n A L o R A C A D e M i C ) D e G R e e i n A B i B L i C A L o R T H e o L o G i C A L D i S C i p L i n e . o R D i n A R i L y , T H e D e G R e e W i L L B e F R o M A M A S T e R o F D i v i n i T y pRoGRAM. DeGReeS in FieLDS SuCH AS CounSeLinG oR MiniSTRy ARe noT An ACCepTABLe SuBSTiTuTe.


T he institution’s doctrinal commitments also include endorsements of the Chicago State-ment on Biblical inerrancy and the Cam-

bridge Declaration of the Alliance of Confessing evangelicals. While the Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry stu-dents may represent a broad range of evangelical affiliations, all stu-dents are required to comply with the Student Standards of Faith and Conduct discussed on page six-teen. As a community of teachers and learners, Ligonier Academy is committed to promoting moral and spiritual excellence by openly requiring, regularly urging, and making every effort to display the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Good teaching, study habits, and intellectual ability are one

L i G o n i e R A C A D e M y ’ S D o C T o R o F M i n i S T R y p R o G R A M i S C o M M i T T e D T o T H e H i S T o R i C R e F o R M e D FA i T H A S e x p R e S S e D i n T H e s o l a s o F T H e R e F o R M A T i o n A n D i n T H e C o n S e n S u S o F THe ConFeSSionAL STAnDARDS: THe WeSTMinSTeR C o n F e S S i o n o F F A i T H A n D C A T e C H i S M S , T H e B e L G i C C o n F e S S i o n, T H e H e i D e L B e RG C AT e C H i S M , T H e C A n o n S o F T H e S y n o D o F D o R D T, A n D T H e L o n D o n B A p T i S T C o n F e S S i o n.

thing, what is truly indispensable for success at Ligonier Academy, however, will be the sober-minded and joyful ap-plication of Christian graces to all teaching and learning.

Ligonier Academy is also committed to pursue academic excellence. We do so by promoting a spirit of inquiry after the truth, by making every effort to sharpen students’ ability to distinguish between truth and error, by exhorting students to be faithful stewards of the abilities that God has given them, and by cultivating a spirit of accountability to the Lord our God.

Together, the Ligonier Academy community seeks to maintain an environment conducive to individual and corporate growth in the knowledge of God and the things of God.

— w est m i nst er assem bly —


H istorically, it has stood for the rediscovery of biblical truth in each generation—finding the “light” of truth following the “darkness”

of heresy and error that constantly creep in throughout church history, with the Roman Catholic Church of the 16th Century being only one example among many.

The Academy’s logo is a visual representation of our institution’s standing upon the unbroken pillars of Christian orthodoxy: history, truth, and faith. The pillar of history represents God’s sovereign actions throughout time, as the author and finisher not just of our faith, but of all that lives, moves, and has its being. The pillar of truth represents the high regard we place upon God’s truth as revealed in His Holy Word, as the only rule of faith and practice. The pillar of faith represents salvation: given entirely by God through faith, not by works or human merit.

L i G o n i e R A C A D e M y ’ S M o T T o , “ p o S T T e n e B R A S Lu x” ( “A F T e R DA R k n e S S, L i G H T ” ) , C A R R i e S n e A R Ly 5 0 0 y e A R S o F H i S T o Ry A S A M o T T o A n D R A L Ly i n G C R y o F T H e p R o T e S T A n T R e F o R M A T i o n. i T C A n B e F o u n D o n T H e R e F o R M A T i o n W A L L — i T S e L F M o R e T H A n 1 0 0 y e A R S o L D — i n J o H n C A L v i n ’ S A D o p T e D C i T y o F G e n e v A , S W i T z e R L A n D.


L i G o n i e R A C A D e M y i S p o i S e D T o S e e i T S v i S i o n AnD MiSSion ReALizeD AS, in THe GooD pRoviDenCe o F o u R G o D, W e H Av e B e e n T H e B e n e F i C i A R i e S o F 3 4 A C R e S o F p R i M e L A k e F R o n T p R o p e R T y.

When that property is fully built out, Ligonier Academy will sit on a strikingly beautiful campus, in close proximity to Ligonier International Headquarters and Saint Andrew’s church. Our campus is accessible from two airports: Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB).


Ligonier Academy is authorized to grant degrees by the State Board of independent Colleges and universities in the State of Florida. Ligonier Academy

is in compliance with Section 1005.06(1)(f ), Florida Statutes pursuant to religious institutions. Therefore, Ligonier Academy is an institution that is not under the jurisdiction or purview of the Commission on independent education, is not required to obtain licensure and does not operate under governmental oversight. The degree programs of Ligonier Academy are designed solely for religious purposes.

For those interested in accreditation and in receiving an education from Ligonier Academy, there are several considerations to keep in mind. The quality of the education delivered by a school depends on a number of factors, and accreditation is often counted among those factors. it is important for mutual understanding to define what the term accreditation commonly means: it refers to a school’s voluntary pursuit of approval for its work from a regional or national organization that is recognized by the federal government (the u.S. Department of education) or by a state government. Schools that pursue accreditation and agencies that grant it intend to communicate to the public, among other things, that the accredited school provides a quality education, that its credits will transfer to other schools, and that it is eligible to participate in the federal student loan program.

There is no doubt that accreditation can have its benefits, but it can also have its limitations. That is, the value of accreditation is always directly related to the standards and agency of accreditation (in other words, what is evaluated and who does the evaluation). in light of that reality, other factors are important to consider.

one key factor is the proven record of ability and dedication on the part of the school’s administration and faculty to do the work of education. The credentials and experience of Ligonier Academy ’s administration and faculty are straightforward predictors of quality education.

A second factor also comes into play. in the absence of accreditation from a government-recognized agency, the evidence of reputation with the public is valuable. over the years, the teaching fellowship of Ligonier Ministries has earned a reputation for the highest quality among a wide cross section of Christians. The recurring approval of Ligonier Ministries conferences as continuing education units (Ceus) for Christian education teachers by the Association of Christian Schools international (ACSi) is evidence of public recognition for the educational efforts of the organization. Ligonier Academy is no exception to this rule.

Finally, it is not unusual for a new institution such as Ligonier Academy and its programs to lack accreditation: new schools are not “born with” accreditation. The pursuit of accreditation is, however, a matter still under consideration by the Ligonier Academy’s leadership, and the process of accreditation ordinarily takes several years to complete.

All things considered, then, although Ligonier Academy’s Doctor of Ministry program is not presently accredited, applicants admitted to the program can be confident that they will be provided with a quality education.

T H e A C A D e M y i S Au T H o R i z e D T o G R A n T D e G R e e S By T H e S TAT e B o A R D o F i n D e p e n D e n T C o L L e G e S A n D u n i v e R S i T i e S i n T H e S T A T e o F F L o R i D A .


M R . J A M e S C A M p i S i

M R S . p A T D i z n e y

D R . R o B e R T G o D F R e y

M R . S T e p H e n L e v e e

M R . G R e G o R y M i S e y k o

D R . A R C H i e B . p A R R i S H

D R . R .C . S p R o u L , C H A i R M A n

M R S . v e S T A S p R o u L

M R . D Av i D S T o LT z F u S


R .C. S p Ro u L p R e S i D e n T D i S T i nG u i S H e D p Ro F e S S o R o F SyS T e M AT i C T H e o L o Gy

Dr. Sproul is the president of the Academy and the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is featured daily on Renewing Your Mind, an international radio broadcast that has aired for fifteen years with an estimated two

million people tuning in every week on hundreds of radio outlets in the united States and in more than 40 countries.

Dr. Sproul is a prolific author of more than 70 books, including expositional commentaries on Romans and the Gospel of John. He was the general editor of The Reformation study Bible and he is the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. As the founder of Ligonier Ministries, he has produced more than 300 lecture series and recorded more than 80 video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living. He was a signatory of the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical inerrancy and is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing evangelicals. Dr. Sproul currently serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s in Sanford, Florida.

Dr. Sproul holds degrees from Westminster College, pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the Free university of Amsterdam, and he has had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in orlando, Florida, and Jackson, Mississippi.

R .C. S p Ro u L , J R . A S S o C i AT e p Ro F e S S o R

in addition to his role as associate professor at the Academy, Dr. Sproul is a teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries and serves as director and teacher for Highlands Ministries. He is the editor of Every Thought Captive and travels extensively as a conference speaker. He earned his M.A. in

Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary, orlando, and his D.Min. from Whitefield Theological Seminary. He has contributed numerous articles to publications such as Chronicles; World; and Homeschool Digest. He has also published several books including Tearing Down strongholds; Bound for Glory; Biblical Economics; and Believing God.

T. D. A L ex A n D e R v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. T. Desmond Alexander is senior lecturer in Biblical Studies at union Theological College and associate director for post-g raduate Studies in the institute of Theology at Queen’s university, Belfast. He currently chairs the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, as

well as Southern Theological Seminaries, a uk based charity committed to the establishment of a centre for theological education and vocational training in the south of Argentina. He is the author of numerous books, including From Paradise to the Promised land: an Introduction to the Pentateuch; From Eden to the New Jerusalem: an Introduction to Biblical Theology; The servant King: The Bible’s Portrait of the Messiah; and Discovering Jesus: Why Four Gospels? He is the co-editor of the Dictionary of the old Testament: Pentateuch and the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

T H e L e A D e R S H i p A n D F A C u L T y o F L i G o n i e R ACADeMy’S DoCToR oF MiniSTRy pRoGRAM ConSiSTS oF SoMe oF THe MoST WeLL ReSpeCTeD ReFoRMeD S C H o L A R S A n D e D u C AT o R S i n o u R D Ay.


D. A . C A R S o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Carson is research professor of new Testament at Trinit y evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, illinois, having served there since 1978. He is a graduate of McGil l universit y (B. S.), Centra l Baptist Semina r y in

Toronto (M.Div.), and Cambridge university (ph.D.). A member of several scholarly societies, Dr. Carson’s areas of expertise include biblical theology, the historical Jesus, postmodernism, pluralism, Greek grammar, Johannine theology, pauline theology, and questions of suffering and evil.

Dr. Carson has written or edited more than fifty books, including Exegetical Fallacies (1984); Matthew (1984); showing the spirit (1987); The Gospel according to John (1991); a Call to spiritual Reformation (1992); New Testament Commentary survey (6th ed.; 2006) and Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church (2005). He co-authored an Introduction to the New Testament (1991) and edited such works as It Is Written: scripture Citing scripture (1988) and Biblical Greek language and linguistics (1993). His book, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (1996), won the 1997 evangelical Christian publishers Association Gold Medallion Award in the category “theology and doctrine.”

M A R k e . D ev e R v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Dever serves as the Senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. He is t he president of 9Ma rk s Ministries and has taught at a number of seminaries. A Duke university graduate, Dr. Dever holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M.

from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a ph.D. in ecclesiastical History from Cambridge university. Dr. Dever has authored several books and articles, including What is a Healthy Church? and The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (2007). earlier books include Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (2000, 2004); The Deliberate Church (2005); Promises Kept: The Message of the New Testament (2005); and Promises Made: The Message of the old Testament (2006).

S i nC L A i R B. F e RG uS o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Ferguson is a Teaching Fellow with Ligonier Ministries and serves as Senior pastor of First presbyterian Church of Colu m bi a , S out h Ca r ol i n a , a nd a s Dist ing uished visit ing professor of Systematic Theolog y at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is author of

numerous books, including By Grace alone: How the Grace of God amazes Me; In Christ alone: living the Gospel-Centered life; Taking the Christian life seriously; Discovering God’s Will; a Heart for God; John owen on the Christian life; Daniel (Communicator’s Commentary); The Holy spirit; The Big Book of Questions and answers; and The sermon on the Mount. Dr. Ferguson has also been a contributor to numerous books, including The Westminster Confession Today; The Preacher and Preaching; New Dictionary of Theology (editor); Dictionary of scottish Church History & Theology; Theonomy: a Reformed Critique; Blackwell’s Dictionary of Evangelical Biography 1730-1860; The New Bible Commentary; and The Glory of the atonement. He has also contributed to the following journals: The Christian Graduate; Discipleship; Banner of Truth; and Westminster Theological Journal.


R o n G L e A S o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Ron Gleason is the pastor of Grace presbyterian Church in yorba Linda, CA. He holds a Drs. from the Theological Seminary of the Re f o r m e d C h u r c h e s i n t h e netherlands and a ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary

in philadelphia. He is the Stated Clerk of South Coast presbytery of the pCA and president of the California chapter of exodus.org. He is the author of the biography of the Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck.

W. Ro B e RT G o D F R ey v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

A teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries, Dr. Godfrey has taught church history at Westminster Seminary California since 1981, where he also serves as its third president. A graduate of Stanford university (A.B., M.A., and ph.D.)

and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Dr. Godfrey is a minister in the united Reformed Churches and a speaker at conferences including those sponsored by the philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology and Ligonier Ministries.

He is the author of an Unexpected Journey; Reformation sketches; Pleasing God in our Worship; and God’s Pattern for Creation. He has written chapters or articles in John Calvin, His Influence in the Western World; Through Christ’s Word; Theonomy: a Reformed Critique; The agony of Deceit; Roman Catholicism; sola scriptura!; The Practice of Confessional subscription; The Coming Evangelical Crisis; and in such journals as archive for Reformation History; sixteenth-Century Journal; and Westminster Theological Journal.

M i C H A e L S. H o RT o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Horton has taught apologetics and t heolog y at West minster Semina r y California since 1998. He is also a minister in the united Reformed Churches in north America. He earned his B.A. degree from Biola university, his M.A. degree from Westminster Seminary California, and his

ph.D. degree from university of Coventry and Wycliffe Hall, oxford. He is also the editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine and the president of White Horse Media, for which he co-hosts The White Horse inn, a nationally syndicated, weekly radio talk-show exploring issues of Reformation theology in American Christianity. A member of various societies, Dr. Horton is the author/editor of twenty books, including The Gospel-Driven life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World; Christless Christianity: The alternative Gospel of the american Church; People and Place: a Covenant Ecclesiology; Covenant and salvation: Union with Christ; lord and servant: a Covenant Christology; Introducing Covenant Theology; a Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship; The Christian Faith: a systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way; and Putting amazing Back Into Grace. He has written articles for Modern Reformation; Pro Ecclesia; Christianity Today; The International Journal of systematic Theology; Touchstone; and Books and Culture.

J.v. F e S ko v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. J.v. Fesko is the Academic Dean and Associate professor of Systematic Theology and Historical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in California. He taught systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi,

for over eight years as a part-time professor. He is also a minister in the orthodox presbyterian Church (opC). He was ordained as a church planter in 1998 and was installed as a pastor in 2003, thus serving in pastoral ministry for over ten years. He has served on two committees appointed by the General Assembly of the opC. His present research interests include the integration of biblical and systematic theology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Reformed theology. He has authored several books on theology, including Justification: Understanding the Classic Reformed Doctrine, last Things First; and Word, Water, and spirit: a Reformed Perspective on Baptism. When asked what he hopes to instill in his students, Dr. Fesko says, “A passion to proclaim Christ and him crucified in word and deed and to serve the church to the glory of Christ.”


D e n n i S e . Jo H nS o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Johnson is professor of practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, where he has taught since 1982. A graduate of Westmont College (B. A .), West minster Theological Seminary (M.Div.; Th.M.), and Fuller Theological

Seminary (ph.D.), Dr. Johnson previously pastored orthodox presbyterian churches in Fair Lawn, new Jersey, and east Los Angeles, California. After teaching new Testament for 16 years, he now teaches primarily preaching and ministry courses, in which he applies his background in biblical studies to the issues of ministry, the church, and the culture. He is Associate pastor of new Life presbyterian Church, a growing presbyterian Church in America (pCA) congregation in escondido. Dr. Johnson has preached and taught in Chad, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, and the ukraine. He is the author of Triumph of the lamb: a Commentary on Revelation; let’s study acts; The Message of acts in the History of Redemption; and Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from all the scriptures, as well as articles and reviews in Westminster Theological Journal; Journal of the Evangelical Theological society; Journal of the Evangelical Homiletical society; and Ligonier Ministries’ Tabletalk. Dr. Johnson and his wife, Jane, have four married children, whose families are scattered from Florida to Asia.

ST ev e n J. L AWS o n v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Lawson is a teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries and is the Senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, having served as a pastor in Arkansas and Alabama. He is also president of new Reformation, a ministry committed to biblical reformation in the

church today. Dr. Lawson’s ministry finds him speaking in church, seminary, and conference settings in the united States and through the world. He is a graduate of Texas Tech university (B.B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D. Min.).

Dr. Lawson has authored several books, including Famine in the land: a Passionate Call to Expository Preaching; Faith Under Fire; The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards; The Expository Genius of John Calvin; Foundations of Grace 1400 BC-aD 100 (volume one of a five-volume series), and three titles in the Holman old Testament Commentary series (Job, psalms volume i [psalms 1-75], and volume ii [psalms 76-150]). He has contributed articles to Bibliotheca sacra; The southern Baptist Journal of Theology; The Faith and Mission; Decision Magazine; and Discipleship Magazine; among others.

Ro B e RT L e T H A M v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Robert Letham is Lecturer in Systematic and Historical Theology at Wales evangelical School of Theology. He has been in pastoral ministr y for 25 yea rs a nd ser ved at emmanuel orthodox presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware for over twenty years. He has taught at London Bible College

and is Adjunct professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in philadelphia and visiting professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington/Baltimore. He is the author of several books including The Holy Trinity; Through Western Eyes: Eastern orthodoxy, a Reformed Perspective; The lord's supper; The Westminster assembly; The Work of Christ; and Union With Christ.


A R C H i e pA R R i S H v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. parrish is founder and president of Serve international, which trains and equips evangelical churches in k i n g d o m - f o c u s e d p r a y e r discipleship to prevent loss of vitality in new and/or healthy churches and to correct loss of

vitality in churches on plateaus and in decline. Through events such as the embers to a Flame Conference, the Convocation for Revival and Reformation, and kingdom intercessor Training events, church leaders are equipped and encouraged to guide their churches in prayer, evangelism, personal and corporate spiritual growth, and discipleship. Dr. parrish formerly served the presbyterian Church in America (pCA) as Coordinator for Church vitality with Mission to north America and also evangelism explosion as the international Director. He has authored numerous publications and serves on the Board of Directors for Ligonier Ministries and Mission to north America.

S A M L A R S e nv i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Samuel Larsen, professor of Missions emeritus at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, is known for his contagious love for Christ and for global missions. He holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Reformed

Theological Seminary and a Doctor of philosophy in intercultural Studies from Trinity international university. A graduate of the united States naval Academy, Dr. Larsen once served as naval line officer with the rank of Commander. Called to the Gospel ministry, he completed seminary and served as a missionary first in kenya and later in Australia. Dr. Larsen subsequently served again on active duty as a navy Chaplain until his retirement from the navy in 1996. He has had pastoral and urban church planting experience on three continents and is a former church planting team leader and regional director with Mission to the World. He has also had previous teaching experience both at the united States naval Academy and as dean of a theological college in Australia. professor Larsen’s special interests are globalization and contextualization issues and intercultural education.

M A R k e . Ro S S v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Ross is Associate Dean and Associate professor of Systematic Theology at the Columbia campus of erskine Theological Seminary and Director of the institute for Reformed Worship. A graduate of the university of pittsburgh (B.A.), pittsburgh Theolog ical Seminar y (M.Div.), and

university of keele, england (ph.D.), Dr. Ross holds the First presbyterian Church John R. de Witt Chair of Systematic Theology. prior to joining the erskine faculty in 2004 he served for twenty years as Associate pastor for Teaching at the First presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. From 2003-2008 he chaired the Special Committee on Worship in the Associate Reformed presbyterian Church, which produced the new Directory of Public Worship adopted by the church in 2008.

D e R e k W. H . T H o M A S v i S i T i nG p Ro F e S S o R

Dr. Thomas is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing evangelicals and the Distinguished visiting professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, northern ireland, Dr. Thomas came

to the uSA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he served as the minister of preaching and teaching at First presbyterian Church in Jackson. Dr. Thomas now serves as the associate pastor at First presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. in addition to serving in the pastorate, Dr. Thomas has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A graduate of RTS in 1978, he gained a ph.D. from the university of Wales, Lampeter in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written or edited several books, including Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God; Making the Most of Your Devotional life (based on the Ascent psalms); and Praying the saviors Way (based on the Lords prayer). He has contributed commentaries to a variety of series, including let’s study Revelation and let’s study Galatians; God Delivers: Isaiah simply Explained; The storm Breaks: Job simply Explained; and God strengthens: Ezekiel simply Explained. He also co-edited Give Praise to God: a Vision for Reforming Worship.


STA n DA R D o F FA i T H

A L L S T u D e n T S o F T H e A C A D e M y A R e R e Q u i R e D T o A F F i R M T H e F o L L o W i n G STAT e M e n T o F FA i T H :

The scriptures of the old and New Testaments (excluding those books commonly called the apocrypha) are the Word of God written, given by inspiration of God to be the infallible and inerrant rule of faith and life.

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the son, and the Holy spirit.

our lord Jesus Christ is God and man in one person. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, and vicariously atoned for sin through His shed blood and death. He was bodily resurrected from the dead. He ascended to the right hand of God the Father and will personally return in power and glory.

Regeneration by the Holy spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of sinners.

God justifies sinners on the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone. Christ’s righteousness is imputed to sinners by grace alone and is received by faith alone.

Eternal life is received by faith; that is, by receiving and resting upon the lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

The Holy spirit indwells all true believers and enables them to live godly lives.

Both the saved and the lost will be resurrected from the dead; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

There is spiritual unity of all true believers in our lord Jesus Christ.

Students acknowledge their understanding of and agreement with these essential truths, which are vital to the gospel.

STA n DA R D o F C o n DuC T

A L L W H o W o u L D B e C o M e A n D R e M A i n A C A D e M y S T u D e n T S A R e e x p e C T e D T o ConDuCT THeMSeLveS in A MAnneR THAT R e F L e C T S T H AT T H e y A R e G R o W i n G A S D i S C i p L e S o F T H e L o R D J e S uS C H R i ST i n F e L L o W S H i p W i T H A C o n G R e G AT i o n o F H i S C H u RC H .


A p p L i C AT i o n A n DR e G i S T R AT i o n D e A D L i n e S

The application fee is $50. no application can be considered until the Academy receives every required document. on-time, completed applications are considered promptly, in order to meet the registration deadline for the academic term.

Students may be matriculated into the Doctor of Ministry program at two times per year. For students to begin taking courses in the winter (generally January), applications are due no later than September 1. For students to begin taking courses in the summer (generally July), applications are due no later than March 1. The registration deadline for winter courses is September 15, and for summer courses, March 15. Continuing and new (incoming) students are to register by the same deadline.

September 1: Winter term (January) application deadline September 15: Winter term (January) registration deadline

March 1: Summer term (July) application deadline March 15: Summer term (July) registration deadline

note that tuition for the D.Min. program is $350 per credit hour ( for credit) and $175 per credit hour ( for audit). Full payment is due at the time of registration for all courses to be taken that course period. All courses count for 3 credits, and are described under “Course offerings.”.

Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. if an application arrives prior to the start of a course the prospective student wishes to take, the Admissions Committee will make every effort to process both the application (and, if accepted) the registration so that the prospective student can take the class. Since the courses are in a week-long intensive format, most professors will assign significant out-of-class work to be done and submitted on the first day of class. This being the case, at the Admissions Committee’s discretion, some late applicants will be considered in the next application cycle.

Late registration creates logistical difficulties for the professors and staff of Ligonier Academy and for students needing to complete assigned pre-course work. Consequently, late registration will be at the discretion of the Ligonier Academy staff. Accepted students will be assessed an additional $25 late registration fee.

S p e C i A L n e e D S

Students requiring special attention, including seating arrangements and alternative forms of testing, must provide to the Registrar's office documentation of professional evaluation of the disability, date of said evaluation and specifications of assistance required. Such documentation must be provided upon application for admission to Ligonier Academy’s Doctor of Ministry program unless the need for special attention is discovered thereafter. if the need for special attention is discovered after initial admission, written notification and documentation must be provided to the Registrar's office no later than 15 days after the date of evaluation.


T H e R e A R e T W o T y p e S o F C o u R S e S o F F e R e D i n T H e D o C T o R o F M i n i S T Ry p R o G R A M : C o u R S e S o n pRACTiCAL THeoLoGy AnD CouRSeS on SySTeMATiC T H e o L o G y. A L L C o u R S e S C o u n T F o R 3 C R e D i T S . T H e C o u R S e S A R e G e n e R A L L y o F F e R e D i n A C o M p R e S S e D, o n e -W e e k F o R M AT.

For each course, the professor will provide a syllabus, specifying assignment and/or examination dates. please note that there are three kinds of assignments in these courses:

Pre - cOurSe a SS igNMeNT S A large amount of course work is to be completed prior to the first day of class. Students are encouraged to register early to allow for ample time to complete all required class preparation.

iN - cl a SS a SS igNMeNT S these assignments are due on a particular day of class.

P O S T- c l a S S a S S i g N M e N T S . A large written assignment is usually due approximately four months after the last class meeting date.

Any and all exceptions to assignment due dates must be approved by the professor.


DM801 The Doctrine of Justification

A study of the biblical and Reformed doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone, the article upon which the church stands or falls. This study will examine the biblical basis for the doctrine, comparing it with the many false doctrines that exist and emphasizing its fundamental importance in the ministry of the church. The purpose of this course is to equip students to proclaim and defend this vital Christian doctrine from their pulpits.

DM802 issues in Theological Studies

The subject matter of this course will vary each time it is offered. The course will cover a topic of the professor’s choice in one of the following fields: systematic theology, historical theology, ethics, or Christianity and culture. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of a particular theological topic that is deemed to be of par t icular impor tance to the contemporary church. The nature of the course is such that the emphases may depend on the interests and expertise of the professor. For example, when Dr. Horton taught this course, he focused on Covenant Theology. Please visit the Ligonier Academy’s D. Min. website to learn about specific topics to be covered in the next DM802 offering. Syllabi are posted as soon as they are available, several months before the course is taught.

DM803 issues in Biblical Studies

The subject matter of this course will vary each time it is offered. The course will cover a topic of the professor’s choice in one of the following fields: exegetical theology or biblical theology. Possible topics include studies of a biblical book or biblical genre, studies of an important biblical theological theme, studies of ancient Near Eastern or first-century historical contexts, and more. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an in-depth knowledge of a particular subject that will help him better understand and preach the Word. The nature of the course is such that the emphases may depend on the interests and expertise of the professor. For example, when Dr. Carson taught this course, his focus was the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament. Please visit the Ligonier Academy’s D. Min. website to learn about specific topics to be covered in the next DM803 offering. Syllabi are posted as soon as they are available, several months before the course is taught.

sysTeMaTic Theology


DM804 reformed Philosophy of Ministry

An in-depth examination of the distinctively Reformed understanding of the nature and purpose of the Christian minister and the Christian church. This examination will include study of foundational Reformed documents such as the liturgies of Geneva and the Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God. The reformed view of the ministry will also be compared and contrasted with other views such as the Pr ies thood v iew of Rome and the CEO view of many contemporary churches. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a solid grasp of the distinctively Reformed understanding of the purpose and calling of the minister.

DM805 Preaching

A study of the Reformed view of the preaching of the Word of God. This course will look not only at the basic Reformed philosophy of preaching but also at historical examples of Reformed preaching. Particular attention will be given to the importance of expository preaching that focuses on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the absolute necessity of biblical, God-centered preaching.

DM806 Worship

An examination of the Reformed understanding of the nature and purpose of Christian worship. This examination will include a study of the history of worship in scripture and in the church with a focus on the history of worship in the Reformed churches. Topics include the regulative principle, the place of the Word and sacraments, catechizing, prayer, music, and family worship. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the importance of God-centered worship.

DM807 Missions and evangelism

A study of the biblical philosophy and means of missions and evangelism. This course will look at the biblical mandate for evangelism and missions and survey the history of missions and evangelism in the church. This study will compare and contrast the biblical model of evangelism with unbiblical forms such as those developed in the Second Great Awakening. Different views of the relationship between evangelism and Lord’s Day worship will also be covered. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the biblical view of evangelism and missions in order that the Great Commission might be carried out more faithfully.

DM808 Pastoral care

An in-depth examination of the minister’s role as a shepherd and servant and the many facets of pastoral care involved in this calling. This examination will include discussion of topics such as counseling, home and hospital visitation, dealing with death and grief, and many others. Particular focus will be placed on problems and pitfalls such as counseling of members of the opposite sex. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with practical knowledge and wisdom in order that he may more effectively care for the flock God has entrusted to him.

PracTical Theology


D e G R e e R e Q u i R e M e n T S

The Doctor of Ministry degree is earned upon the successful completion of all eight courses listed above (24 credit hours) and the writing and oral presentation and evaluation of the Major project (six credit hours), 30 credits in all, with a cumulative GpA of 3.0 or higher.

The Major project can be started as soon as a student has completed at least six of the courses listed above, assuming the student has, at that point, maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The Major project is initiated by the completion of a 500-1,000 word proposal due on May 15th (no later than one year prior to the intended date of graduation). At this time the student will be assigned an advisor for their major project. please note that advisors will be contacted by Ligonier Academy—if a student has a request for a specific advisor, they are encouraged to inform the Academy of their preference. if a student is unable to submit their proposal by the May 15 deadline, they will have to wait until the next Major project cycle begins the following year. on a case by case basis, students may request and be granted a second year to complete their Major project. if the student is granted a second year for completion, tuition costs for six credit hours will apply. More details about the Major project are delineated in The Major project Manual (available as a download at Ligonier.org/DMin).

Bear in mind that although the student can initiate and (upon approval) begin the Major project after completing as few as six courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, ultimately he must complete all eight courses to graduate.

C L A S S AT T e n DA nC e

Attendance is tracked by professors, and students are required to attend all classes. Absences do occur, however, and are categorized as excused or unexcused. excused absences are those resulting from providential hindrances such as personal illness, jury duty, active military service or death in one’s immediate family. All other absences are considered unexcused. excused absences must be approved by the professor. unexcused absences, along with tardiness and early departures, are recorded and will reduce a student’s grade in a course. Students with more unexcused absences than there are credit hours for the course will fail the course.

every effort is made to assist students who are providentially hindered from attending classes. The student is responsible for notifying the professor of his absence and for contacting the professor to arrange for all make-up work. exceptions will be considered by the professor on a case-by-case basis.


G R A D i nG

The Academy uses a four-point grading system with 12 levels as follows:

Grades are released within one month of the submission date for a course’s final paper/project.

The grade scale is as follows:

A+ = 100-98 A = 97-93 A- = 92-90

B+ = 89-87 B = 86-83 B- = 82-80

C+ = 79-77 C = 76-73 C- = 72-70

D+ = 69-67 D = 66-63 D- = 62-60

F = Below 60

G R A D e D e F i n i T i o nS

a raNge: The student’s work is outstanding, exceeding course requirements and exhibiting an exemplary and demonstrably superior grasp of course content and method.

B raNge : The student’s work is sound, meeting course requirements and exhibiting a solid grasp of course content.

c raNge: The student’s work is satisfactory, meeting some course requirements or exhibiting an uncertain grasp of course content and method.

D raNge: The student’s work is unsatisfactory but passable, meeting few course requirements or exhibiting a minimal grasp of course content and method. Any student who receives a grade of “D” in a course must retake the course for credit and may be required to do so in order to graduate.

F: The student’s work is unacceptable, meeting no course requirements or exhibiting no grasp of course content or method. Any student who receives a grade of “F” in a course is required to retake the course in order to graduate.

R e TA k i nG C o u R S e S

no course in the DMin program may be retaken except for courses in which a student earns a grade lower than C. in the event that a course is retaken, the previous course grade remains on the transcript along with the most recent course grade, but only the most recent course grade will be counted toward the student’s GpA. no more than three of the eight required Doc-tor of Ministry courses can be retaken. Students who are granted an extension for one of the three credit hour courses will be subject to a $120 late fee for the first extension of a month and a half and another, $220, late fee if there is a second extension.

Students who receive an extension for the Major project will not be subject to a late fee, but will be required to enroll and pay tuition ($350/credit hour) for a second year (beginning in May) of the six credit project.

Grade a+/a a- B+ B B- c+ c c- D+ D D- F

Points 4.0 3.67 3.33 3.0 2.67 2.33 2.0 1.67 1.33 1.0 0.67 0


exT e nS i o nS F o R i nC o M p L e T e C o u R S eWo R k

Ligonier Academy recognizes that a student may be providentially hindered (by extended illness, death in the family, etc.) from completing a course according to the academic calendar. This possibility is enhanced by the fact that a large written assignment is generally due several months after the last day of each Doctor of Ministry course. in such cases, an incomplete (“i”) grade may be given by the professor. To receive an incomplete grade, the student is required to secure the professor’s written approval, and to forward Ligonier Academy this written approval no later than one month prior to the post-class written assignment’s due date (e.g., if the post-class written assignment is due June 1, Ligonier Academy must be informed of the professor’s approval for an extension prior to May 1). if the professor prefers that Ligonier Academy consider extension requests, students are required to submit requests to the Registrar's office prior to this same date.

in the case where an extension is granted, the professor will grade the work once it is submitted. The professor will then notify the Registrar's office in writing of the final grade. if the student is unable to meet the agreed upon extended deadline, the student must immediately inform Ligonier Academy. The Academy, after conferring with the professor, will inform the student on how to proceed. Ligonier Academy reserves the right to deny requests for additional extensions, at which point the student must immediately submit the assignment to the professor or forfeit the opportunity to do so. The professor will assess any work submitted, and inform Ligonier Academy in writing of the final grade.

T R A nS F e R o F D. M i n. C R e D i T S

Students who wish to transfer Doctor of Ministry credits earned at other institutions should understand that Ligonier Academy will review such requests to see if the courses previously taken correspond with any of the eight required Ligonier Academy courses. please submit all materials for consideration to the Registrar's office. no more than three of the eight required courses at Ligonier Academy can be transferred from other institutions.

Students who wish to transfer credits earned through Ligonier Academy’s Doctor of Ministry program to another institution should understand that the decision to accept credits earned through the Ligonier Academy’s Doctor of Ministry program is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

T R A nS C R i p T R e Q u e ST S

Student requests for transcripts of Doctor of Ministry coursework completed at Ligonier Academy are to be directed to the Registrar’s office. The fee is $5 for each official transcript. Transcripts are issued only after a student has settled all financial obligations to Ligonier Academy.

G R A DuAT i o n H o no R S

Students must have a cumulative GpA of 3.0 to graduate. Students who have achieved a cumulative GpA of 3.55 will be graduated with cum laude honors; a cumulative GpA of 3.75 qualifies the student for magna cum laude honors; and a cumulative GpA of 3.90, with faculty review and approval, qualifies the student for summa cum laude honors. Honors will appear on transcripts and on the student’s diploma.

Graduation occurs annually in mid-May. students must notify the Registrar in writing on or before January 15th of their intent to graduate in that year, at which time they must also pay the graduation fee. This matter is further delineated in The Major project Schedule found in The Major project Manual.


Tuition per course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,050

Tuition per credit hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350

audit Fee per course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $525

audit Fee per credit hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $175

application Fee non-refundable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50

graduation Fee non-refundable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25

late registration Fee non-refundable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25

course extension, late Fee first extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120

course extension, late Fee second extension . . . . . . . . . . $220

Because of increasing costs over time, note that the Ligonier Academy Board of Directors reserves the right to make changes to tuition charges and other fees associated with the Doctor of Ministry program. These changes will be announced annually (for the coming academic year, beginning in the summer) no later than February 1.

pAy M e n T p Ro C e Du R e S

All tuition payments are due in full at the time of registration (associated deadlines are mentioned elsewhere in this Handbook). The following are acceptable forms of payment: Check, Credit Card (visa, MasterCard, Discover, or Amex; paypal), Money order, Cash (note: cash is not accepted through the mail). Checks are to be made payable to Ligonier Academy, Doctor or Ministry program.

M A i L - i n pAy M e n T

if you mail your payment, please put your student number on your check or money order. payment must be postmarked by the published fee payment deadline. please address payments to the following address:

Ligonier Academy Registrar’s Office421 Ligonier CourtSanford, Florida 32771

C o u R S e C A n C e L A T i o n , R e G i S T R A T i o n T R A nS F e R o R R e F u n D R e Q u e ST p o L i C y

We know that, as pastors, students may be called away at the last minute due to a church emergency. in such cases, students must complete the Course Cancelation, Registration Transfer, or Refund Request Form found on the DMin webpage. The form asks for a brief explanation of the circumstances. For explanations deemed legitimate and extenuating, the following refund schedule will be implemented:

Prior To Start Of course 100% Refund

after Day 1 80% Refund




after Day 5 No Refund

A student who changes from credit to audit after the first week will receive a percentage refund based on full tuition charges.

Ligonier.org/DMin

the doc tor of minis try progra m academic handbook · 2018. 10. 8. · 3 ligonier.org /dmin the...

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