History
“Chronology of DMin Education, Past Presidents, Distinguished Leaders.”
Chronology of Doctor of Ministry Education
Birth
1937 The American Association of Theological Schools (now ATS) appointed a committee to study program length and nomenclature.
1960-1969
1962 Claremont introduced a new degree, the Doctor of Religion (D.Rel.)
1964 The University of Chicago Divinity School moved to a four-year program, the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
Vanderbilt Divinity School announced a four-year professional doctoral degree to ministers who engaged in seven to eight years of part-time study (Doctor of the Science of Theology degree or S.T.D.).
1966 Appointment of committee—chaired by Seward Hiltner—to draft standards for a professional doctorate.
1968 The Hiltner Committee supplanted by a new committee chaired by Krister Stendahl, which issued its report in 1970.
1970-2009
1970 Member schools of the American Association of Theological Schools (AATS) authorized to award the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree.
1984 ATS D.Min. Standards revised.
1990 Association of Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME) established.
1996 New ATS Standards adopted for the D.Min. degree.
2009 By-laws revised and new Policy and Procedures Manual developed and approved.
2010-2019
2018 Preparation for revision and renewal of ATS Standards for D.Min. degree.
2019 ADME facilitates professional development through online dialogue (ATS Engage), webinars, roundtables, and peer-mentoring groups.
2020-Present
First online video conferencing-based ADME annual conference in response to COVID-19
Presentation, approval, and adoption of the new ATS Standards for the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree.
Past Presidents
1988-1990 J. Randall Nichols, Princeton Theological Seminary; William J. Close, St. Stephen’s College
1989-1991 William Johnson Everett, Candler School of Theology
1991-1993 Christine (Tina) E. Blair, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
1993-1994 Stephen C. Rasor, Interdenominational Theological Center
1994-1996 William J. Close, St. Stephen’s College
1996-1997 Philip Douglass, Covenant Seminary
1997-1998 J. Dorcas Gordan, Toronto School of Theology
1998-1999 John Mehl, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
2000-2001 Christine (Tina) E. Blair, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
2001-2002 Bruce Shields, Emmanuel School of Religion
2002-2003 David R. Osborn, Denver Seminary
2003-2004 Dorothy McDougall, Toronto School of Theology
2005-2006 John W. Reed, Dallas Theological Seminary
2006-2008 Martin Crain, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
2008-2010 David Lee Jones, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
2010-2012 Carl Savage, Drew University
2012-2014 James W. Lewis, Anderson University
2014-2017 Reggie Ogea, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
2017-2019 Barney Wells, Lincoln Christian Seminary
2019-Present Kurt Fredrickson, Fuller Theological Seminary
Distinguished Leadership Award Recipients
2006 J. Randal Nichols, PhD – Princeton Theological Seminary
2007 Stephen C. Rasor, PhD – Interdenominational Theological Center
2008 John W. Reed, PhD – Dallas Theological Seminary
2010 David Lee Jones, ThD – Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
2012 Ron Blue, PhD – Dallas Theological Seminary
2015 David Osborn, DMin – Denver Seminary
2016 Lester Ruiz, PhD – Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
2022 Reggie Ogea, ThD – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
2022 Barney Wells, DMin – Lincoln Christian University