Follow @PDXSEMINARY

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 Dr. 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 an insightful way of interpreting our 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 symbols, signs, images, and stories seriously. He helps students unpack cultural and biblical 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 biblical and cultural metaphors, narratives, and images to recognize the signs of Jesus' work in the world
Competency to confidently lead in a fast-changing culture
Ability to communicate the gospel in a compelling manner
A lifelong learning community
Expertise to become a "Doctor of the Church"

Graduates serve as denominational leaders, pastors and church planters, nonprofit leaders, educators, etc.

Learn more...

Napkin Scribbles

Listen to Dr. Sweet as he explains "Jesus Semiotics" in more detail in this six-minute Napkin Scribbles podcast:

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 the first two years. The lead mentor teaches sessions at the advances, faciliates weekly video conversations with the cohort, and participates in the Project Portfolio examination.

Online and flexible

Cohorts meet once a week for a Zoom video-conference conversation with the lead mentor and engage in online forum discussions with the cohort on their own schedule throughout the week. Students also regularly interact with their Project Faculty in small peer groups each semester.

Cohort-based

Groups of 12 to 16 students journey together through the entire program. The cohort provides a peer-learning network for research, insights, and personal ministry experiences.

Advances

Note: Due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis, we are prepared to adjust Advance experiences as necessary to ensure student and faculty safety.

Students participate in one Online Orientation to begin the program and three face-to-face intensives (i.e., "Advances") in Portland, Oregon, Cambridge, UK, and Orcas Island, Washington. During the intensives, 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 some Advances and meet regularly online in peer groups 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.

Related DMin Tracks

Leadership and Global Perspectives

with Dr. Jason Swan Clark

Develops confident Christian leaders who make a difference in an interconnected world. Face-to-face intensives meet in Cape Town, Hong Kong and London.

Leadership and Spiritual Formation

with Dr. MaryKate Morse

Forms Christ-centered professionals to re-imagine God’s mission in diverse environments.

Doctor of Ministry - Semiotics, Church, and Culture Track
Program length	3 years
Credit hours	38
Cost per credit hour	$604, plus $1,900 per in-person Advance intensive
Tuition cost for entire program	$28,652* (financial aid available)
Accreditation	ATS (Association for Theological Schools); NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities)
Format	Online, with 3 in-person Advance intensives in Portland, OR; Cambridge, UK; and Orcas Island, Washington.
Early application deadline	February 1
Final application deadline	June 1. Applications accepted after the deadline when cohorts are not filled.
*All stated financial information is subject to change.

Alumni Stories

Portlander Brandon Rhodes delivers organic vegetables by bicycle. His venture “has the fixings of some stereotype of Portland,” Rhodes admits with a laugh, yet Rolling Oasis Grocers is not a mere Portlandia- esque hipster gig. Rhodes, who holds a DMin from Portland Seminary, found the inspiration for Rolling Oasis when he clarified his vision as putting down deeper roots in his own Lents neighborhood by connecting his neighbors with nourishing food. Read more