A PhD Update: Summer 2025

Hey, it’s me, I’m still here … still in school … still plugging along. 

I noted in my first post that I intended to write about this process as it goes along. (Thanks for the reminder Elizabeth and Nicole!) So, this post is for two groups in particular: 

• The first is my friends, family, church members, and others who are interested in my school journey. 

• The second is other brother-pastors who may be considering a PhD. Hopefully, this will give you some insight into the program and how it’s been for me. Certainly, feel free to reach out personally with questions. You can find my contact info here.

It’s hard (for me, at least) to believe that I’m already entering year 3 of the PhD program! I applied in late 2022, sat for entrance exams in early 2023, and began my first seminar in the fall of 2023. I am now entering the 25-26 academic year, which makes me a third-year PhD student. 

Here’s what I’ve been doing … 

I’ve completed five of eight major seminars in my discipline of Pastoral Theology. A PhD seminar is approximately five months long and is roughly laid out as follows: 

• Pre-class reading and writing. 

  • There are typically 15-25 assigned books. The reading load generally is 4,000+ pages pre-class.

  • A 2-3 page book review for each assigned book. 

  • A 10-12 page position paper related to the seminar topic, or something similar.

• 1-week Seminar in the middle of the five months during which all assigned reading is discussed at length.

  • There is usually also a presentation from each student, along with either the presentation of a research topic proposal, or presenting the paper itself. 

• Post Seminar Work: Major Research Paper. 

  • This is typically a 25+page paper consisting of 7,000-10,000 words. 

  • The expectation for a PhD-level research paper is that for every 10 pages written, 1,000 pages of research stand behind it. So, there is substantial post-seminar research reading as well.  

  • The major research paper is also expected to aid the student in his/her dissertation preparation. 

The five major Seminars I have completed are: 

• Intro to Higher Education 

• Theology of Preaching 

• Theology of Pastoral Care and Counseling 

• Historical Readings in Pastoral Ministry 

• The Church in Its Cultural Context

I’m planning for my dissertation to explore the presence and use of power in pastoral and religious contexts. For those who might be interested, here are the titles of my research papers thus far: 

• Preaching as Power: The Institutional, Coercive, and Sense-Making Power of the Pulpit. 

• Vulnerance in Pastoral Counseling: The Presence of Power and the Capacity to Harm 

• An Evaluation of the Multisite Preaching Model Through the Homiletical Theology of Karl Barth. The Power of Simony. 

• Artificial Intelligence, Preaching, and Power. 

I have also completed all 3 of the PhD Colloquium Seminars. These are interdisciplinary seminars focused on engaging the student in cross-disciplinary work,

• I have completed Colloquium work in the fields of Biblical languages, Theology of Biblical Liturgy and Worship, and, most recently, the discipline of History.  

• The work for these seminars has included 3-5 books with a review of each book, and a deep engagement with a particular scholar presenting on the area of focus. 

That’s what I’ve been working on. And for those who may be considering a similar program, I would plan for 15-20 hours per week of school during seminars. My approach has been to work a little each day so as not to be overwhelmed. So far, that's going well (assuming my wife would agree).

What’s Next? 

I am all set to begin my sixth seminar next month, which is the Doctrine of the Church with esteemed Baptist Ecclesiologist, Dr. John Hammett. I will also begin serious consideration of what research language(s) I will need to focus on before starting my dissertation. The options for my research will likely be German or French, and potentially Research Statistics. 

By this time next year, I will have completed all 8 major PhD seminars and will spend the Summer and Fall in the Mentorship phase. During this period, the student works 1-on-1 with their major professor to begin serious preparation for Comprehensive Exams and the Dissertation phase of the degree. 

Late next Fall, I hope to sit for my Comprehensive Examination. This is the conclusion of the seminar portion of the PhD and consists of two three-hour exams. One exam is written, and one exam is with a group of professors. These exams test the student on all material covered in the Seminar phase. 

Upon successful completion of the Comprehensive exams, the PhD student is promoted to a PhD Candidate and permitted to begin work on his/her dissertation. The dissertation typically takes between 1-3 years, depending on the efficiency and skill of the student. 

We will cross that bridge when, Lord willing, we get there! 

I’m learning that while it does take some measure of academic and intellectual skill to gain entry into a PhD program, the primary skill is the determination to do the work. As one of my classmates said recently, “I was worried that I was going to be in here with a bunch of guys way smarter than me. But, the truth is, we’re all just average guys willing to grind out the work.” 

And that is very true. 

I am loving every step along the way. This program is everything I hoped it would be. I am growing as a thinker, writer, scholar, pastor, and more. I do not want to waste this time. I'm trying to enjoy every part of it.

My hope going in was to become a better pastor and theologian for the church. And that’s still the goal.

Thanks for tuning in, and hope you enjoyed the update …