A Letter from the Director of Ministry Studies
Welcome to Ministry Studies at the Divinity School!
From its inception, the Divinity School at the University of Chicago has been dedicated to the preparation of learned, relevant, and influential leaders for church, academy, and community. Distinctively, the scholarly discourse here has always included deep concern for religion's voice in the public square—how do people and communities of faith impact their wider worlds, how do cultures and contexts in turn shape religious meanings and practices, and how can the practical wisdom of religious traditions sponsor deeper understanding and human flourishing in our time?
Ministry students in Chicago's Masters of Divinity programs enjoy the best of many worlds: course work on the cutting edge of religious studies taught by world-class scholars; fieldwork in the highly interesting and innovative parishes and community agencies of Chicago's fascinating urban neighborhoods, villages and suburbs; wide-ranging intellectual conversation that includes the Divinity School's Ph.D. and M.A. students, as well as the other graduate and professional schools of the University and several local seminaries; the dynamic support and encouragement of a small, select M.Div. student cohort; and ample opportunities for personal, professional and academic supervision and mentoring.
Chicago's M.Div. students come from many backgrounds and religious traditions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Southern Baptist, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Reformed, Unitarian, Mormon, and Pentecostal students comprise the current cohort. Some come to Divinity School certain of their vocations in parish or pastoral ministry, while others want to test the pastoral waters; some students are drawn to work in counseling or to military, hospital, or campus chaplaincy; still others anticipate advocacy or community ministries in the U.S. or abroad; some students plan careers in teaching and choose to pursue the M.Div. degree in preparation for further Ph.D. study. This rich mixture of traditions, interests, and directions is in itself a valuable resource for students in the process of clarifying their own vocational and religious identities, preparing for leadership in a culture of pluralism.
On these pages you will find information about the design of the M.Div. degree program, the required course work and field education opportunities, and our emphasis on practical theology with its culminating senior ministry thesis and project. Links will lead you to additional information about M.Div./dual degree programs with the University's schools of social work, public policy, and law, and to student and alumni pages, where you will read about the interests, activities and accomplishments of current students, as well as graduates of the program. If what you read and see on these pages intrigues you, I encourage you to call, write, or visit us, and explore how you might join the lively conversation about public ministry at the Divinity School.
Cynthia Lindner
Director of Ministry Studies
For more information about Ministry Studies at the Divinity School, contact us at:
Ministry Studies
The University of Chicago Divinity School
Swift Hall
1025 East 58th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone: 773-702-8280
Fax: 773-834-4581
E-mail: clindner@uchicago.edu
