David Wells writes in No Place for Truth, a book that is required reading for my Doctor of Ministry program:
Not surprisingly, in recent years seminaries have found it important to think of themselves as comparable to other professional schools, such as those for law and medicine, and many now offer the Doctor of Ministry degree as a further means of establishing this parity. Unfortunately, the typical seminary does not offer training that can compare with the rigor of these professional schools. The Doctor of Ministry degree is in fact not much of a doctorate; the standards one must meet to receive this degree are frequently below those required of candidates for the Master of Divinity (a degree that not too long ago was called the Bachelor of Divinity). It is a case of professional elevation not by accomplishment but by linguistic inflation. What used to be the minimum level of knowledge for entry into Christian ministry, gauged by a bachelor's degree, has out of professional necessity and a wave of the magician's wand now become a doctorate by the addition of what may amount to little more than refresher courses.
Last year, I passed this passage around to a couple of my friends in the same program. You could see one of them turn red with anger. Dr. Wells teaches at Gordon-Conwell, where we were, and I'm sure my friend was thinking of storming his office. I can understand why. It's hard to pay what we�re paying, both in money and time, and then to feel that it's not worth it.
When we head down to school next week, three of us are scheduled to go out with Dr. Wells. No, we�re not going to give him a noogie. I actually think his book is very good, and it is going to be fascinating to talk to him.
It feels funny to be enrolled in a D.Min. program in preaching of all things. D.Min. sounds so modern and is almost enough to get you kicked out of some circles these days. There are probably fewer programs that could be less trendy than one in preaching.
I�m glad to be able to spend time with someone like Haddon Robinson. It�s about the friendships you form in the cohort. And I still believe that preaching has relevance, even though the forms of preaching may change.
Should be fun. A week to go.
*Linguistic inflation.*
I like this guy:^)
They seem to be getting a lot of mileage out of this book in the D.Min. program. Our reaction to it was much the same. All this from the guy (Wells) who almost killed GCTS-Charlotte in the crib when he was here.
By the way, when barked down by peers in relation to Gordon's D.Min., he allowed that of course he wasn't referring to THEIR program, but to all the OTHER programs that he deemed not up to snuff.
How can you deny though the downgrade and slide in terms of requirements for degrees nowadays. The requisites for course programs get so watered down. A D.min from what I read sounds easy compared to a true doctorate.
Careful now, people! We do not want to say anything to bruise Darryl's ego for mercy's sake!We have to at least allow him to THINK that he has worked hard enough to earn a "true doctorate."
SSSHH! Don't tell him I said anything, okay?