Director of Doctor of Ministry

At Houston Christian University, our Christian liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs have equipped students to lead, collaborate, and discover out of a deep sense of purpose for more than 60 years. We are driven forward by our central confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and defined by our “Ten Pillars” core convictions. From this foundation we guide students confidently into discerning discovery, preparing them to think biblically, critically, and holistically about how to engage the world. We aspire to care for every student by meeting their academic, spiritual, and social needs with mentorship and support. HCU is set in the heart of one of the most diverse and fastest-growing cities in the nation—and our growth and diversity match the dynamism of the city we call home.

About the School of Christian Thought & Houston Theological Seminary

The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University is growing in size and the number of program offerings. We have embraced distance education while maintaining residential programs, with students across the globe pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degrees.

A central part of the School of Christian Thought is Houston Theological Seminary (HTS), an evangelical seminary strongly committed to Christian orthodoxy with an important Baptist heritage. Our students and faculty represent a variety of Christian traditions and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to Jesus’ Lordship and HCU’s preamble and Ten Pillars. The Doctor of Ministry program is supported by the generous Cole Scholarship fund and offers two tracks: New Testament and Faith & Culture. Launched five years ago, the DMin has over 50 doctoral students and an excellent roster of affiliated faculty and project supervisors.

Faculty join a warm community of scholars with active research projects, centered around fortnightly research seminars, weekly prayer gatherings, and meals with students.

About the Role

We are seeking a full-time faculty member to lead our Doctor of Ministry program. The successful candidate will have leadership and ministry experience, be dedicated to training others for service in ministry, and hold a terminal degree in Practical Theology, Biblical Studies, or Cultural Apologetics.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for the Doctor of Ministry program
• Promote the doctoral program and effectively recruit new DMin students
• Oversee the operation of the Doctor of Ministry, including planning for the 1-week intensives each semester and managing supervisory assignments
• Serve as a point of contact for prospective students interested in the Doctor of Ministry
• Provide mentorship and advising for current doctoral students
• Advance the Doctor of Ministry program through church partnerships, adjunct recruitment, and other proactive initiatives
• Lead program accreditation maintenance and renewal
• Work with the chair of the Department of Theology
• Oversee the DMin budget, including the awarding of the Cole Scholarship, in conjunction with the Dean’s office
• Teach the equivalent of a 4-4 load, with a 2-2 course reduction for administrative duties
• Integrate the Christian faith in teaching
• Engage in scholarly work in your related discipline
• Participate in service activities to the School, University, and community
• Maintain an active Christian faith and church participation

Qualifications

• Earned PhD or DMin in Practical Theology, Biblical Studies, Cultural Apologetics, or a related field
• Professional experience within the candidate’s discipline or in a related field (preferred)
• Substantial experience in organizational leadership and ministry
• Affirmation of HCU’s statement of faith encompassed in the university preamble and Ten Pillars (reaffirmed annually)
• Active Christian faith with a commitment to integrating faith and learning in the classroom
• Documented excellent teaching record and evidence of scholarly interests and achievements

Timeline

The ideal candidate will begin in January 2027. If a suitable candidate is unavailable for a January start, August 1, 2027, will be considered. Review of applications will begin on September 15th, and the position will remain open until filled.