Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Concentration

The Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Spiritual Formation is designed to equip ministry leaders to more effectively partner with God’s transformational work in the soul.

Leaders will explore the essential framework for biblical spirituality and spiritual formation with an emphasis on the holistic nature of sanctification. To minister well to others, students will first grow in self-awareness and learn how to steward their own soul well. After engaging in personal development, students will practice skills necessary for spiritual care so that authentic healing and growth can take place in the lives of others. The student’s biblical spirituality and soul care philosophy will be further developed by investigating effective methodologies for facilitating spiritual community.

Course Overview

Learners will grow in their understanding of the constructs of Christian orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and orthopathos in light of the doctrines of regeneration and sanctification. Biblical and theological underpinnings of the inherent value of the soul and the call to steward the soul well will be explored. Through this investigation, false paradigms of biblical spirituality will be uncovered. The divine-human relationship will provide the framework for students to embrace the imago dei in light of the tension of being redeemed and yet living in a broken world.

Learners will investigate those experiences within their own lives that have shaped their relational patterns to God, self, and others. They will understand their life’s journey within the larger redemptive framework in order to construct a personal narrative that is biblically informed. Historical practices of the Christian faith throughout the life of the church will be applied to promote growth in the life of the leader. With this deeper self-awareness and historical perspective, learners will be equipped to practice the stewarding of their own soul well.

Learners will be equipped to walk alongside people who are experiencing difficulty in trusting God. Theological and theoretical constructs will be examined in order to effectively shepherd others in pain. Learners will develop an interpersonal sensitivity and competency in discipling others into biblical spirituality. Emphasis will be placed on relational maturity, emotional intelligence, and attunement with a desire to refine these skills.

Learners will be equipped to develop an ethos of biblical spirituality for the life of the church. As a theology of the Triune God is studied, learners will construct a personal philosophy of love, relationships, and community. As God’s vision for spiritual community is explored, they will further develop their philosophy of biblical spirituality and soul care by recognizing how the relational nature of the church provides essential avenues for the restoration from sin and support for the sanctification journey. Effective methodologies, including interpersonal neurobiology, will be explored to provide theoretical constructs for facilitating transformational communities in culturally-sensitive ways.

Doctoral Seminar Schedule

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Entry Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for the Doctor of Ministry programs, the applicant must have a Master of Divinity and at least three years of ministry experience. Applicants with a Master of Arts degree in a theological or ministry field are eligible to apply but may require more ministry experience.

For more information please call or email our Admissions Department.

Admission Requirements

Grace Theological Seminary welcomes applications from all individuals who have a testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

To be admitted as a Grace Theological Seminary student, you’re asked to provide:

Official transcripts from the school where you obtained your degree. (If you are currently working on your degree, you can submit an unofficial transcript for admission until term completion, at which time an official transcript is required. Transcripts should be sent to admissions@grace.edu.
A spiritual life reference
International applicant must provide a copy of TESOL test scores, and provide a financial certificate indicating sufficient funding for the program of study.
Master of Arts applicants may have additional non-academic requirements as well as longer ministry experience requirements. MA applicants are encouraged to contact admissions for more information.