Overview

Doctor of Ministry in Pentecostal Leadership

*Pending WSCUC and ABHE approval

Launching in 2026: Advanced Training for Ministry

Life Pacific Seminary is excited to announce it is planning to launch the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Pentecostal Leadership program in 2026. This distinctive program is designed for experienced ministry practitioners seeking to deepen their spiritual formation, expand their leadership skills, and creatively address ministry challenges from a Pentecostal worldview.

Purpose of the DMin

This program will serve as the highest professional degree for those involved in local congregational or related ministries. Unlike other doctorates focused primarily on research, the DMin prioritizes solution-based applications of relevant scholarship to real-world ministry problems. It integrates the best of pentecostal theology with advanced leadership training, spiritual formation, and personal reflection, tailored specifically for those with a background in Spirit-empowered ministry.

Why Choose Life Pacific Seminary?

Life Pacific Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry in Pentecostal Leadership will be one of the few programs on the West Coast addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of Pentecostal ministry. Our program will equip pastors, church leaders, and ministry professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead in diverse and dynamic environments. With an emphasis on spiritual formation, transformational and adaptive leadership, and contextual ministry, this program will provide a robust educational experience for those seeking to make a profound impact on their communities.

Program Highlights

• Pentecostal Leadership Focus: Develop advanced skills in leadership, theology, and practical ministry within a Pentecostal context.
• Personal Mentorship: Receive exceptional mentorship from experienced Pentecostal leaders throughout the program.
• Cohort-Based Learning: Learn alongside peers in a collaborative, cohort-based format that encourages community and networking.
• Flexible Delivery: Experience a blend of online coursework and two in-person residencies in various locations around the world. 
• Portfolio-Based Research: Complete a practical research project that directly addresses real-world challenges in your ministry context.

Program Structure

The program can be completed within three years and consists of 33 credit hours comprised of core courses, research design courses, and a final doctoral project. Students will engage in advanced studies in Pentecostal theology, leadership, spiritual formation, and ministry practice, alongside project-based courses tailored to study their unique ministry context.

Core Courses:

• Advanced Leadership in Pentecostal Contexts
• Adaptive Leadership and Pentecostal Ministry
• Spiritual Formation and Personal Renewal
• Global Pentecostalism: Theology and History
• Spirit-Empowered Ministry and Missional Engagement

Research Sequence:

• Needs Assessment and Collaborative Project Design
• Advanced Literature Review and Theological Framing
• Research Methods and Project Implementation
• Evaluation and Impact Assessment
• Doctoral Project Integration and Presentation

Program Goals

1. Apply advanced leadership skills grounded in Pentecostal theology.
2. Critically evaluate contemporary theological and cultural issues.
3. Foster a dynamic Pentecostal spirituality in both personal life and community settings.
4. Develop effective missional strategies that promote human flourishing.
5. Conduct relevant research that contributes viable solutions to ministry challenges.

Admission Requirements

• A Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent theological degree.
• Minimum of three to five years of consistent vocational ministry experience.
• Current involvement in ministry leadership.
• Letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary schools attended.
• An essay articulating one’s personal calling and ministry leadership journey.