ABSW PARTNERS TO OFFER D.MIN.

For many years ABSW has been the place to engage in the theological, biblical and practical dimensions of urban ministry. Now that rich history is being combined with the international emphasis of the Bakke Graduate University of Ministry (BGU) in Seattle to offer a doctor of ministry degree focused on transformational leadership for the global city.

"If you're going to be serious about the mission of the church, then you have to have more than a North American view," says ABSW President Keith Russell. "And increasingly in our globalized world, cities are the primary population centers, the hotbeds of social and economic issues, and therefore the focus of ministry."

Beginning in January, the new program will include an intensive two-week introduction at BGU followed by a two-week summer session in Asia, India, Africa or the Philippines. Students will complete elective courses at ABSW, which will also provide advising for the dissertation or doctoral project. The three-year program will award the D.Min. degree from BGU in partnership with ABSW.

The schools envision cohorts of students, including international students, moving through the program together.

"The composition of our cohorts and the location of their study — from Berkeley and Seattle to Bangalore or Man— seriously opens up the question of what the church is," Russell says. "Much of the global church is identified today with the mega-church movement and the prosperity gospel. But this new D.Min. program will emphasize a more prophetic, change-oriented mission for the church, focusing on justice and transformation."

BGU, formerly Northwest Graduate School of Ministry (NWGS), was founded in 1990 by Overlake Christian Church in Seattle, growing out of the church's annual pastor's conferences held in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2001 ownership of the school passed from the church to an independent board organized through the cooperation of Serve Seattle, Northwest Leadership Foundation and International Urban Associates. Dr. Ray Bakke, a well-known expert in ministry and the global city, was asked to serve as the chancellor.

Today, BGU is a cutting-edge leader in theological education that combines the best of traditional seminary training with inventive methods of delivery and relevant content. BGU's mission is to strengthen leaders "who steward resources with and for vulnerable people and places, by means of contextual, Christian-based education innovatively delivered throughout the urban world."

ABSW has hired Sangyil Park as the director of the D.Min. program. He will join the seminary faculty on a half-time basis.

ABSW will hold informational sessions on the program early this fall. If you are interested in being placed on the mailing list, contact the school at 510-841-1905 or send an e-mail to admissions@absw.edu. Visit Bakke Graduate University to learn more.