Doctorate in Christian Ministry
Accelerate Your Learning with the Doctor of Education in Christian Ministry
The College of Doctoral Studies’ Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Christian Ministry is a perfect fit for active church leaders and pastors seeking entry into seminary or ministry. Our accelerated doctorate in ministry program combines your passion for the Christian faith with the pursuit of academic excellence to deepen your understanding of biblical stewardship. In evening or online courses, you can balance theory with strategy and reflective practice, helping you refine your skills in leadership.
Grand Canyon University's (GCU) dissertation process begins in your first course, where you are introduced to dispositions and techniques for writing. This approach helps you research, write and defend your dissertation. In GCU’s small, dynamic learning settings, you can analyze and apply evidence-based research relating to modern day Christianity and network with peers of diverse backgrounds and perspectives as you discuss topics such as change management in ministry.
In-person Doctoral Residencies throughout the program allow faculty, practitioners and mentors to provide the support you need to master the doctoral journey.
Degree Outcomes
Enhance Your Skills in Christian Leadership
In the doctorate in ministry online, you review pertinent literary works that discuss leadership and existing theory. Identify the appropriate applications to postmodern cultures. With the program’s distinctive resources, you can progressively hone the skills necessary to lead others in the delivery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What You Will Learn
Study Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility
In this doctorate in Christian education program, you can explore the following topics:
- Contextualization as a means for the church to remain relevant to the culture and community
- The role of leadership in the disciple-making process and the interrelationship between disciples and volunteers
- Opportunities and challenges facing Christian leaders in diverse settings
Career Outcomes
Propel Your Career with Bible-Based Ministry Skills
The doctorate in ministry provides you with the skills necessary to facilitate change and become a leader within a Christian ministry and society. This EdD program also prepares you for seminary or discipleship.
Program Core Courses
Course Description
This course introduces students to the principal elements of research and scholarly writing. Learners explore approaches to synthesizing literature and the application of the major components of APA form and style, and learn to coordinate literature searches. Furthermore, they learn how to discern principal arguments, analyze research questions, and clearly identify the key scholarly attributes to journal articles and other sources of scholarly data. This course also introduces learners to the University’s overarching values and beliefs regarding research and the responsibility scholars have in continuing a tradition of contributing to an ever-growing body of knowledge.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of seminal leadership theories and models. Learners focus on understanding the development and evolution of leadership theories and the range and emphasis of leadership research. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course examines multiple ethical frameworks, principles, and theories as they apply to the study and practice of leadership. Corporate social responsibility will be addressed from the perspective of ethical decision making. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
This course provides a broad overview of foundational elements for conducting independent, original research. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods are introduced and applied. The template for developing a research prospectus is also introduced, with emphasis on identifying a researchable topic related to the learners’ degree specialization. Prerequisite: RES-811.
Course Description
The course examines the role of leadership in the disciple-making process. The interrelationship of disciples and volunteers is discussed. Prerequisite: RES-850.
Course Description
This residency allows students to begin developing their skills as academic researchers. Residency sessions address topics such as research question development, design, item generation, subscale development and analysis, and basic hypothesis testing. Students have hands-on experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis software.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the theories, theorists, and theology of leadership. Change management in ministry is addressed through the lenses of these theories and theology. Prerequisite: RES-850.
Course Description
This course is designed to train learners in the conduct of a systematic literature review related to their research topic. Emphasis is placed on creating structure for reading, analyzing, synthesizing, and organizing prior research necessary for drafting the first iteration (draft) of Chapter 2 of the dissertation. Learners use the research prospectus template to guide the development of their Chapter 2. Prerequisite: RES-850 or MGT-810 or RES-825.
Course Description
The intersection of Christian ministry and culture is the primary focus of this course. Contextualization is explored as a means for the Church to remain relevant to the culture and community in order to bring about enduring change. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
Contemporary Christian ministry faces a set of challenges that are often unique to postmodern culture. This course explores those challenges and the role of the Christian ministry leader in mitigating them. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This course provides learners with an overview of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches with emphasis on conceptual and practical aspects of data collection, management, and analysis. Learners use their research prospectus to align the research question(s) and variables of interest with the appropriate data collection and analytical techniques. Prerequisite: RES-861.
Course Description
This residency prepares students to present their scholarly work and to thoughtfully critique the work of others. Students orally present papers developed in their own classes and respond to questions from colleagues. Students are further prepared to become active members in academic communities by learning how to review papers and provide comments.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the impact of leadership and the effects of behaviors on the formulation and execution of strategy within an organization. Topics include the increasing importance of resilience and change in today’s global and turbulent economy. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
This course explores the opportunities and challenges facing leaders in the global environment. The course topics focus on aspects of leading global and diverse workforces, and on theories of leadership and leadership development in diverse and global cultures. Prerequisite: RES-861 or RES-866.
Course Description
Learners complete a cogent research prospectus as the foundation for their dissertation research proposal. Emphasis is placed on fully articulating a study design and methodology that is aligned with the research questions and developing the first iteration (draft) of Chapter 3 of the dissertation. Prerequisite: RES-855 or RES-866.
Course Description
This course presents potential applications of topics in Christian ministry leadership. Learners connect these ideas to their research interests.
Course Description
In this course, learners formalize their research proposal specific to their topic. Emphasis is placed on fully developing Chapter 1 and incorporating Chapters 2 and 3 (drafts) from previous research courses. This proposal becomes the first three chapters of the dissertation upon approval of the final draft by the College of Doctoral Studies. Prerequisite: RES-880.
Course Description
This course provides learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: RES-871 or RES-885.
Course Description
This course continues to provide learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: DIS-955.
Course Description
This course continues to provide learners with individualized support in their dissertation journey. Learners work directly with their dissertation chair and committee members to continue their research endeavors as aligned with their individual progress plan. Prerequisite: DIS-960.
Program Locations
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom.
Online and Evening program disclosures Additional Disclosures
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.