The Doctor of Ministry program according to International Ecclesiastical standards is the highest offered at JETS. It is designed to offer the best training possible in the context of ministry in the Arab World. A profound aspect is that this program involves rigorous theological, Biblical and cultural studies in the context of the students’ present and continuing ministry in their countries.
The Tracks. The program includes four major tracks:
- Biblical and Theological Studies: emphasis is on the Trinity, Eschatology and Hermeneutics.
- Apologetics and Evangelism Studies: emphasis is on evil and suffering, OT genocide, creation science, and religious cults.
- Historical Theology Studies: emphasis is on Christian Arab Heritage, and Christian-Muslim relationship.
- Leadership Studies: emphasis is on denominational distinctives, leadership succession; church government and expository preaching.
The Modules. The modular approach of the D.Min. program facilitates a forum for discussing and thinking through essential ministerial issues and procedures. The aim is to greatly enhance and empower pastoral leadership, and more generally, Christian leadership in the Middle East.
Students must complete nine modules offered on the JETS campus. Three are offered every year over three weeks, one week for each module. The student must complete all reading and research assignments for each course before the next set of modules are offered. The student is expected to finish the nine modules in three years.
The Dissertation. The fourth year is dedicated to the doctoral dissertation in one of the tracks above. The procedure and plan for the dissertation is provided when the student is approved to begin the process of writing. The program is to be completed in a maximum of 7 years. Any exceptions must have the approval of the Academic Committee.
The Value. Over the years of the D.Min’s existence, the D.Min program has demonstrated its importance in several ways. (1) While it does not award a Ph.D., because uses Arabic as the main language of study, it is academic in its orientation, awarding a doctorate degree to qualified Arab leaders without them having to leave the Middle East to earn it. (2) This program provides a combination of subjects and the thesis of the student’s choice. (3) The dissertation provides a strong message to the Arab world in areas that the Church in the region needs in order to meet special challenges that it has not been able to effectively address in the past. (4) As indicated above, 5 hours (or 7.5 ECTS units) from the Th.M. program are counted towards the D.Min. program. (5) The JETS D.Min. program is the only program that is not yet recognized by the agencies that evaluate us. Careful evaluation is being made in order to decide when to seek formal recognition.
List of Required Studies. The following is a list of the required studies in the D.Min. program:
| D.Min. Studies according to the International Ecclesiastical standards |
| For Those with a Th.M. from JETS |
| Biblical and Theological Studies (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Apologetics and Evangelism Studies (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Historical Theology Studies (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Leadership Studies (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Credit from the JETS Th.M. program (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Dissertation (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Total 36 Credit Hours/54 ECTS Units |
| For Those with a Th.M. or Equivalent from Outside JETS |
| Biblical and Theological Studies (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Apologetics and Evangelism (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Historical Theology (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Leadership (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| The Book of Revelation & Eschatology (3 hours/4.5 ECTS) |
| The Trinity (3 hours/4.5 ECTS) |
| Dissertation (6 hours/9 ECTS) |
| Total 36 Credit Hours/54 ECTS Units |
