Semiotics, Church, and Culture
Proactive ministry in an always-changing culture with Len Sweet.
The Semiotics, Church, and Culture Doctor of Ministry (DMin) with Lead Mentor, Leonard Sweet, prepares ministry-oriented semioticians.
Jesus had a favorite saying (paraphrased):
“Red sky in the morning, sailors taking warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight. You know how to read the signs (semeia) of the sky, I want you to know how to read the signs of the times (Matt. 16:2-3)."
The program revolves around three core emphases:
- Semiotics is the hermeneutics of the Google world: Like the Tribe of Issachar in ancient Israel, students learn to “read the signs of the times and know what to do” (1 Chron. 12:32). They learn how to recognize the signs of Jesus' work in the world and proactively guide their churches and ministries into the future.
- Telling the story of Jesus: Dr. Sweet takes the symbols, signs, images, and stories seriously. He helps students unpack cultural signs and symbols - so that we can tell the story of Jesus in a way that is compelling, convincing, and transformative. The ultimate sign to read is Jesus himself.
- Guided research: Students address a ministry challenge from their own context through the Project Portfolio process.
Students gain:
- Skills in exegeting metaphor, narratives, and images to recognize the signs of Jesus' work in the world
- Competency to confidently lead others in a fast-changing culture
- Skills to communicate the gospel in a compelling manner
- Life-long learning community
- Expertise to become a 'Doctor of the Church'
Graduates serve as denominational leaders, local church pastors, nonprofit leaders, professors, etc.
Napkin Scribbles
Listen to Dr. Sweet as he explains 'Jesus Semiotics' in more detail in this 6-minute Napkin Scribbles podcast:
Join the conversion at the Napkin Scribbles facebook page.
Access Napkin Scribbles on all of the major platforms, including:
Program Delivery Model
Lead-Mentor directed
The Lead Mentor, Dr. Leonard Sweet, sets the overall inspiration, ethos, and direction of the program. Students take six courses related to program themes with the Lead Mentor over two years. The Lead Mentor teaches sessions at the advances, faciliates weekly video conversations with the cohort, and participates in the portfolio examination.
Online and flexible
Cohorts meet once a week for a Zoom video-conference conversation with the Lead Mentor. Students also engage in online forum discussions with the cohort on their own schedule throughout the week.
Cohort-based
Groups of 12-16 students journey together through the entire program. The cohort provides a peer-learning network for research, insights, and personal ministry experiences.
Advances
Students participate in three face-to-face intensives (Advances) in Portland, OR, Cambridge, UK, and Orcas Island, WA. Students participate in sessions with Len Sweet, connect with their cohort, and engage with their Project Faculty around their research. Learn more...
Project Faculty
Students are paired with a Project Faculty (PF) member for three years. The PFs join students at the Advances and meet regularly online to guide them in their research.
Project Portfolio
Students journey through a series of research milestones to generate the final Project Portfolio that addresses a Need, Problem, or Opportunity (NPO) in their context.
Spotlight on Student Experience
Pastor Jeff Tacklind shares about his experience in the Semiotics, Church, and Culture Doctor of Ministry program.
