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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.

Learn more...

Napkin Scribbles

Listen to Dr. Sweet as he explains "Jesus Semiotics" in more detail in this 6-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 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 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 Advance intensive to begin the program and two face-to-face intensives (i.e., "Advances") in 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 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.

Related DMin Tracks

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with Dr. Jason Swan Clark

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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	$590, plus $1,900 per in-person Advance intensive* or $500 per Online Advance.
Tuition cost for entire program	$28,120* (financial aid available)
Accreditation	ATS (Association for Theological Schools); NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities)
Format	Online, with 2 in-person Advance intensives in Cambridge, UK; and Orcas Island, Washington. Due to COVID-19, the Orientation Advance will be held Online at a reduced fee of $500.
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