palmer seminary`s smith school of christian ministries

palmer seminary ’s
smith school of christian ministries
offering certificate to doctoral programs
for men and women
Palmer Seminary’s
SMITH SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
Serving a global community
ABOUT THE SMITH SCHOOL
The Smith School of Christian Ministries is named for Palmer Seminary’s 12th
president, Wallace Charles Smith, who serves as its Dean. The Smith School
oversees the operation of four educational programs: the Doctor of Ministry in
Leadership of Missional Church Renewal; MTS Openseminary™ Blended Online
program; Eastern’s School of Christian Ministry (diploma and certificate program)
and the Priscilla Institute for Women, a certificate program leading to a B.A. degree
from Eastern University. It also coordinates the Mitchell and Costas lectureships
and develops partnerships with various denominational and ministry entities.
The Smith School also works to establish and build relationships
with area churches for the purpose of equipping pastors, developing
leadership skills, and transforming churches and communities. As
part of this effort, the Smith School oversees Palmer’s two major
annual guest lecture programs: the Orlando Costas Lecture (in the
Fall) and the Frank B. Mitchell Lecture in February.
In addition to serving as Smith School Dean, Dr. Smith serves
as the Senior Minister at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in
Washington, D.C. His ministerial career includes pastorates at First
Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, in Nashville, Tennessee (1985-1991);
and Calvary Baptist Church in Chester, Pennsylvania (1974-1985).
In addition to teaching at Palmer he has served as a professor
(Practice of Ministry) at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in
Nashville, Tennessee and as an adjunct faculty member at Howard
Divinity School and Wesley Theological Seminary, both located in
Washington, DC.
Contact
Dr. Wallace C. Smith
Dean
[email protected]
484.384.2950
Ms. Ruth McFarland
Executive Assistant
[email protected]
484.384.2950
Dr. Charles L. McNeil, Sr.
Executive Director of Church Partnerships
Doctor of Ministry Program Director
[email protected]
484.384.2951
WALLACE C. SMITH
DEAN
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY IN LEADERSHIP
OF MISSIONAL CHURCH RENEWAL
Palmer Seminary’s pioneering Doctor of Ministry in Leadership of Missional
Church Renewal focuses on helping Christian leaders grow as responsive agents
of God’s transforming power. The program affirms a vital relationship with
Jesus Christ as the source of renewal. It looks inward at the transformation of
individuals and churches, and outward at the transformation of communities
and the world. In short, it captures the essence of what it means to be the Church.
Student-learners explore the dynamics of
transformational leadership, examine the
church’s missional role in light of demographic
megatrends, and focus on how to assess
congregations and communities for the purpose
of leading in the effort to renew them.
Contact
Dr. Charles L. McNeil, Sr.
Doctor of Ministry Program Director
[email protected]
484.384.2951
As is the case with D.Min. programs in general,
most of the work takes place in the student’s
own setting. His or her church or ministry
becomes a site for field education, and thus
realizes benefits throughout. Over the course of
its three years, the program requires four twoweek periods of residency at or near the Palmer
campus. Requirements include the development
of three professional papers of at least 40 pages
in length. The final paper integrates theological
instruction, field experience, quantitative
research, and analytical insights as each student
creates a missional strategy (strategic plan) in
his or her ministry context.
Prerequisites: This program is designed for
pastors and others who have a Master of Divinity
degree and at least three years of subsequent
ministry experience.
MTS OPENSEMINARYtm
This blended online degree program enables students from across the
country and around the world to earn a Master of Theological Studies
degree (with a concentration in Ministry and Culture) in just three years
without relocating. The program requires two week-long residencies per
year at Palmer.
The Openseminary™ model is built around
the goal of strengthening local churches by
increasing the theological knowledge and
ministry effectiveness of men and women,
including laypersons. Each of the program’s six,
21-week modules focuses on a particular local
church practice:
Module 1: Theologia
Doing Theology in Context
Module 2 : Koinonia
Leading and Building Community
Module 3: Kerygma
Communicating the Gospel)
Module 4: Leitourgia
Leading People in the Presence of God
Module 5: Diakonia Missional Service
Module 6: Paideia Spiritual Formation
Contact
Dr. Rodney Ragwan
OpenSeminary Program Director
[email protected]
484.384.2941
Each module is divided into three phases:
Reading (online, 12 weeks); Residential (one
week, full-time) and Research (online, eight
weeks). Prerequisites include a bachelor’s degree
from an accredited college or university and at
least 12 months experience in church
or ministry leadership.
WYNAND DE KOCK
FOUNDER OF
OPENSEMINARY
eastern’s school of christian ministry
Palmer’s School of Christian Ministry (ESCM) certificate and diploma
program equips men and women for effective Christian leadership
and service by providing academically challenging, practical, and
faith-affirming theological education. In essence, Eastern’s School of
Christian Ministry makes high quality theological education accessible
to those who are not eligible for—or who choose not to pursue—
a graduate theological degree.
For more than three decades, ESCM has
equipped men and women—including lay
leaders, bi-vocational pastors, chaplains,
church-based community development leaders,
Bible teachers, neighborhood evangelists, and
church administrators—for leadership and
service in a variety of urban, suburban, and rural
ministry settings. Many over the years have
valued ESCM simply for its contribution to their
own spiritual and intellectual growth.
ESCM offers two diploma programs (in Pastoral
Studies and Biblical and Theological Studies)
and four certificate programs (Biblical Studies,
Christian Leadership, Christian Studies, and
Youth Ministry.) Students typically complete the
diploma program in two years and the certificate
program in one. Courses are offered at various
times and locations in the Philadelphia area.
Contact
Cheryl S. Hargrave
[email protected]
484.384.2970
PRISCILLA INSTITUTE
The Priscilla Institute (PI) at the Hestenes Center for Christian Women
in Leadership is uniquely designed for women who serve on the front
lines in various ministry capacities in churches and other organizations.
The program, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational
Leadership from Eastern University, exemplifies koinonia in practice.
The PI program combines courses from various
schools within Eastern University to produce
a comprehensive, outcomes-based, learnercentered education. It affords women with little
or no college education the opportunity to earn
a degree and, in the process, enhance their skills
as leaders, including as pastors and ministers.
The program combines pastoral
and Biblical education with courses (offered in
six-week modules) in organizational leadership.
Priscilla Institute students begin their journey
towards the B.A. degree as part of a group, or
cohort, the members of which move through the
program together. In Phase One of the program,
students earn the Diploma of Pastoral Studies,
which is one of the tracks offered through
Palmer Seminary’s Eastern’s School of Christian
Ministry (ESCM). Students complete 24 credits
in Bible, ministry, and theology.
Contact
Dr. Gail Randolph-Williams
Director
[email protected]
484.384.2985
For Phase Two, students move on
to Eastern University’s School of
Management Studies, where they
take courses in the Associate of Arts
(AA) degree program. In Phase Three
students take courses in organizational
leadership from Eastern University’s
School of Management Studies in order
to complete the B.A. (Organizational
Leadership) degree, awarded by
Eastern University.
Annual women’s fair
The Priscilla Institute celebrates its Anniversary and Annual Women’s Fair
each year on the first Saturday in May. The theme of the Fair each year
explores some aspect of “Women Living in the Promise.”
The purposes of the Fair are to:
•H
eighten women’s awareness of the opportunities that exist for them to
realize their highest level of leadership potential.
•P
resent plenary sessions and workshops.
•R
aise scholarship funds for the women studying in the Priscilla Institute.
The Women’s Fair is a free event. The Fair begins with a Continental
Breakfast followed by a plenary session and workshops. A sit down lunch
is served at each table and during the day women have the opportunity to
interact with wise and seasoned women leaders, get information about the
programs at Palmer Seminary and Eastern University and visit the various
vendors. A free will offering is received to support the women studying in
the Priscilla Institute.
serving a global community
FOR Full details on SMITH SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Programs VISIT
Updated: 4/1/13
www.palmerseminary.edu
588 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Admissions Office: 800.220.3287