Feb 16, 2025  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Urban Ministry Concentration

Students in degree programs may choose to concentrate in an area of theological studies. Concentrations may be used to fulfill denominational requirements (concentration in Anglican studies), to ascertain preparedness for future licensing or advanced study (concentration in pastoral care), or to complete an intensive study in an area of benefit or priority for the church (concentration in Hispanic studies, concentration in African-American church studies, concentration in urban ministry, concentration in women’s and gender studies, concentration in social innovation and nonprofit engagement, concentration in church/nonprofit management).

With its main campus in Dallas and a program in Houston-Galveston, Perkins School of Theology is well situated to equip church leaders to serve as transforming agents in an urbanizing world. In the 21st century, ministry will require understanding the dynamics that create tension and oppression in our society, a willingness to hold up the vision of God’s justice and a commitment to work for righteousness in the social, economic and political realms of life.

The concentration in urban ministry is available to students enrolled in the M.Div. degree program and is intended especially for those called to engage communities in articulating and living the Gospel personally and socially in ways that bring healing to the lives of men, women and children.

The concentration is administered through the Urban Ministry Steering Committee, which designates the list of courses meeting concentration requirements. Students who declare their intent to pursue the concentration normally will be advised by the urban ministry concentration adviser. The concentration adviser is Harold Recinos.

Competencies

Students pursuing the concentration will be expected to work toward developing the following competencies:

  1. Learning how to appreciate, analyze and cope with the complex connections between congregations and their communities in the process of urbanization.
  2. Learning how to engage biblical and theological studies with contemporary urban problems, especially in areas of social justice, peacemaking and mission.
  3. Learning how to assess the importance of issues such as culture, ethnicity, language, gender and age as these affect congregations in urban settings.
  4. Learning how to deal with inequalities manifested in poverty and wealth in class-based urban systems.
  5. Learning how to understand the interaction of diverse communities in America, especially in transnational urban environments involving global population movements.
  6. Learning how to develop effective pastoral and spiritual leadership, advocacy and relationship building in the urban community within and beyond congregational settings.

Concentration Requirements

  1. Formally register for the concentration through the Office of the Registrar and the concentration adviser. To qualify, students must have signed approval from their academic adviser. Candidates must have at least 24 hours remaining in their degree program and a GPA of 3.000 in order to register. M.Div. candidates should not yet have applied for internship.
  2. Complete at least 15 credit hours in approved urban ministry concentration courses (designated courses listed below).
  3. By the senior year (or before entering into a full-time internship), demonstrate involvement in urban ministry outside of formal coursework, usually through participation in an urban community project (approved by the urban ministry concentration adviser) connected with a faith-based organization.
  4. Complete an internship (nine credit hours) in an urban or peri-urban community setting identified and approved by the Intern Office. In lieu of the internship, M.T.S. students, in consultation with the concentration adviser, must complete a major research project that addresses issues concerning urban ministry. This requirement is in addition to the thesis or summative project required in the M.T.S. program.

Designated Urban Ministry Courses

The following courses are currently designated among those that can be taken to fulfill the 15 credit hours required for the concentration in urban ministry. Students should consult the list of designated courses each term for new courses.

Note:

In addition, students may do independent reading or field-based courses in urban ministry with the approval of 1) a sponsoring faculty member willing to supervise the course and 2) the urban ministry concentration adviser, Dr. Hal Recinos, before proceeding through the normal channels for obtaining permission to take such courses.

Students pursuing the concentration in urban ministry and the concentration in Hispanic studies may double-count those courses designated for both certificates.