★ About my Doctorate program

Published by

Pat L

May 23, 2008

As you’re noticing if you’re reading much around here, I’m writing a lot that’s coming out of my grad school work. A bit of background.

I’m studying at Bakke Graduate Unversity in the Doctor of Ministry program. The D. Min program’s focus is on Transformational Leadership for hte Global City, and here’s how the program is described:

Thank you for looking into the Bakke Graduate University of Ministry doctoral program. We are pleased to offer a robust Doctor of Ministry program focused on transformational leadership for the global city. These few words, ‘transformational,’ ‘global,’ and ‘city,’ mean a great deal to us. We are convinced that Christian leaders today need to understand the realities of ministry in difficult places, where clashing cultures, diverse peoples, and unjust systems converge. The rapidly growing cities of our world are the most profound human laboratories of our time, and we believe Christians need to be there, present and fully engaged. Whether you serve in a rural or urban setting, you are living and leading in a complex world impacted by these growing global and urban challenges.

BGU seeks to recruit ministry practitioners who have already proven that they have a heart for God and for people. Those who enter this program will find that it introduces them to a vast global network of seasoned and gifted leaders who have a track record of bringing Christ-like change wherever they serve. In this program you will gain perspectives on emerging trends in transformational leadership as you explore contextual and incarnational principles, global realities, the practice of reflection, and consider your personal gifts and calling.

BGU uses an adult learning methodology which incorporates multiple voice lectures, peer-to-peer interaction, field experiences, mentoring, ministry models, journaling, research, reflection, and practical ministry projects. Graduates often tell us upon completion of this program that their entire world view has been turned upside down

I certainly can say that my world view has been turned upside down. I don’t feel that it’s been deconstructed so much as that it’s been expanded beyond anything I ever planned for or dreamed of. I mean, I’m a kid who grew up on Montana, on 10 acres of land, 7 miles outside of a town of 250 people, and 2.5 hours drive to the closest city of 100,000 or more (Missoula or Spokane, equidistant away). And now, I’m studying and learning from Christian practitioners in Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lindisfarne, Iona, Bucharest, Istanbul, and across the planet. And I love the city. I don’t just tolerate the city; I love it. Because I sense a whisper of what God is up to in her, and because I know that I have a small part to play in this.

6 responses to “★ About my Doctorate program”

Rachelle Mee-Chapman

May 24, 2008

Pat,

As alwawys, I love how you are thinking and seeing the world. Anyone who truly loves the city is alright by me…especially when they describe the city as 'her.' 🙂 Keep going!

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haitianministries

May 28, 2008

Pat, Elsewhere on your blog you've said that you are called to minister to the suburban lonely, not the urban poor. Fair enough. But how do you reconcile that calling with doctorate studies focusing on global urban ministry? Not that knowledge of the global urban world isn't relevant for your particular situation, but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the matter. Blessings!

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Pat

May 28, 2008

Hi sis – thanks! It's been a progressive revelation, as they say 🙂

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Pat

May 28, 2008

Hi Dan –

First, welcome to this blog! I look forward to hearing more from you, and also reading your blog in more depth too.

That's a perceptive question, and one that I wish I had a clear answer for. There are a few elements to the story that bring me to this place, but the blunt truth is, "I'm still working on that one myself" :-). I should probably make this a full blog entry, but for now, here are my thoughts.

I started out at Bakke in the Masters of Theology Studies program, and with a particular focus on spiritual formation. When I began, I was a church planter and wanted more grounding. I really liked BGU's missional church approach, and especially how they emphasized incarnational ministry – living and being with the folks we serve. But the urban focus was something I wondered if it would fit me. I talked to the registrar about my own situation, my sense of call to the suburbs. She assured me that I still fit :).

Along the way, I moved from the MTS program into the "extended D. Min" program, which basically combines the two together. I also began working in the city, taking a bus and transferring in the heart of downtown (Pike Place Market, for those familiar with Seattle). I also discovered street photography, which I think of as a spiritual discipline (again, another blog entry in that one). I began to understand the city better.

I do still wonder if I am like a fish out of water, but I can certainly see 99% of what I'm learning applying in my neighborhood, but with a different spin. The greater Seattle area includes us, and the uniqueness of a bedroom commuter community makes my job of contextualizing the Gospel story even more challenging.

And the global perspective – well, that's been very helpful for me, as I discovered Benedictine, then Celtic spirituality, both of which have some direct implications for my neighborhood. I suspect Eastern Orthodoxy to have striking implications as well. But also, as my neighborhood becomes more and more multiracial, multicultural and blended, a global understanding of the faith will only be beneficial.

It could be that over time, God shifts us. But I am happy where I live, and my family is as well, so here we are, looking for signs of hope in the suburbs 🙂

Hope that helps with some context. Ask questions, please!

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haitianministries

May 29, 2008

Thanks for sharing, Pat! I'll look forward to reading your continued reflections on this issue.

I actually stumbled across your blog a few months ago. I'm considering the possibility of enrolling in the DMin program through Denver Seminary/BGU so I've found your reflections on the BGU coursework to be helpful.

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Pat

May 29, 2008

Dan, I'm really happy with how my time at BGU has gone. I recommend it highly! The learning model works well for me; the coursework is good, and the requirement that everything I learn has to be placed into my own context is awesome. Feel free to ask me about any BGU stuff and I'm happy to give you info.

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I’m Pat

Passionate about the common good, human flourishing, lifelong learning, being a good ancestor.

Things I do: Engineering leadership; Grad Instructor in spirituality, creativity, digital personhood, pilgrimage.

Powerlifter, mountain biker, Gonzaga basketball fan, reader, urban sketcher, hiker.

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