About
Welcome to ADME
“Our mission is to help strengthen directors and leaders of professional ministerial doctoral programs through annual conferences, workshops, webinars, peer-groups and networks.“
Dear friends and ministry colleagues!
Being a Doctor of Ministry director, or a leader of a professional doctoral degree in ministry, is a special calling. We stand at the intersection of academia and ministerial practice with the commission to connect the two at the highest and most useful levels. Our purpose is to equip ministry leaders to consider afresh their calling and potential in the contexts where God has placed them to serve.
Since you have found your way to this page, we trust that you have a genuine interest in deepening and expanding your own insight and capacity to accomplish your special leadership calling in the best possible way.
The Association of Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME) aims to bring leaders of professional doctoral programs in ministry together through various means so that we may learn from one another and together be able to enrich the usefulness of the degree in general, and of our specific programs in particular. Furthermore, as an organization, we function as advisors to ATS as they set the academic standards for our programs.
Members of ADME are about as diverse as they come. We come from all across the United States and Canada, from large and small programs, from established programs with long track records and from newly started programs, and we represent just about every Christian denomination. Some of us have directed doctoral programs for a long time, while others have recently been tasked with such leadership. Yet, we all share the unique calling to walk alongside experienced ministry practitioners with the aim of encouraging and guiding them to expand their ministry vision, enrich their theological reflection, and ignite their spiritual passion
I have been given the honor to serve as the President of this marvelous association. Please allow me to invite you to become an active member. We rejoice in hearing testimony after testimony from participants about how much their ADME membership—and the subsequent learning, friendships, and networking—have meant to them and have empowered them to fulfill their calling in the best way possible.
Here are just some of the benefits from ADME membership:
Professional Impact: ADME is the only professional association for theological education that holds affiliate membership with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada.
The Annual Conference: Each spring, ADME hosts a conference focused on current and pressing issues facing DMin programs. These conferences include extraordinary plenary speakers, workshops, networking opportunities, reports from ATS related to our degrees, banquets, practical resource sharing, and more.
Peer Groups: You are invited to join a small peer group that meets online monthly to discuss, learn, network, and empower one another for even greater effectiveness in DMin educational leadership.
Webinars: Several times a year, ADME offers webinars on pertinent topics related to practical issues important to the degrees we lead.
The Journal of Christian Ministry: Our annual, peer-reviewed publication provides space for theological reflection on ministry practice, as well as opportunities for members to publish articles and book reviews.
Dr. Preben Vang
President,
Association for Doctor of Ministry Education
Executive Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary
174
ATS schools that offer DMin
29
Countries combined students represented
1863
DMin Completions for 2022
12305
Students pursuing DMin or other Prof. degree (2022 ATS)
Why ADME?
“Let’s Strengthen DMin education together.”
The Association for Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME) was established to cultivate discussion, research, and the interchange of information regarding DMin programs with the intent of strengthening them and advancing DMin concerns in theological education by:
1) Encouraging students to think deeply in order to minister effectively;
2) Facilitating collaboration among DMin programs regarding best practices;
3) Creating venues for thoughtful and scholarly discussion of contemporary ministry issues and concerns;
4) Developing consensus in excellence for DMin education;
5) Providing venues for mutual support among DMin champions; and
6) Promoting the DMin degree as an essential contribution to theological education.
All these purposes are pursued in regular dialogue with The Association of Theological Schools.
ADME holds affiliate status with The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
If you are a DMin dean, director, associate director or serve in other related educational leadership capacities we invite you to partner with ADME.
Dr. Meredith Hoxie Schol
Vice President, Association for Doctor of Ministry Education
Director of Doctoral Studies
Drew University
Welcomed Newcomer!
I attended the ADME conference the very first year I became director of the DMin program at Denver Seminary. As a newcomer, I was welcomed into the guild, and my myriad questions were answered with grace and wisdom.
ADME Experience
"Getting to know other key influencers in the DMin world of education is critical for all our success."
A Premier Opportunity
"ADME is the premier professional organization for leaders in DMin programs across the United States and Canada. While we differ in size and focus, we have a great deal to learn from each other."
Essential Space
"ADME is an essential space to 1) network with experienced academic leaders that champion DMin education, 2) collaborate around best-practices in overseeing a DMin degree program, and 3) better understand ATS accreditation standards and support.”
Tools for Effectiveness
“Through this collegial group all of our DMin programs are strengthened. Leaders of DMin programs are encouraged and given tools to make their programs more effective.“
We’ve Gained Perspective
"The opportunity to meet other leaders serving in Doctor of Ministry education has proved to be invaluable. We've gained perspective, learned about ways to strengthen our program, and have made new friends."
Great value!
"The resources and engagement fostered within each and every conference I have been able to attend have provided a great value to our own DMin program."