Wholehearted Leadership: Cultivating an Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Grounded Ministry

Imagine a Doctor of Ministry program that propels you to strengthen your ministry and impact the church.


Scroll down to discover more about this distinctive program or fill out the form to connect directly with a member of our admissions team.

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What is a Doctor of Ministry?

The Doctor of Ministry program equips participants to develop their ministerial knowledge and skills, preparing them for meaningful service in congregational, parachurch, and missionary contexts.

This program helps students integrate practical ministry, academic learning, and thoughtful reflection within a supportive community of peers. Unlike an academic or research degree, it is designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want to grow in their calling and serve the unique needs of their communities with greater depth and effectiveness.

Under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, each cohort engages in a carefully structured curriculum centered on their chosen area of study.

Each three-year cohort focuses on timely and relevant themes, with new cohorts introduced each year.

Through collaboration with fellow students and faculty, you’ll have the flexibility to shape your learning in ways that are meaningful and relevant to your unique ministry context.

About This Cohort

In the last few years, a growing number of resources have exposed the dangers of emotional unhealth among church leaders. 

In many instances, gifted leaders are given a pass on character issues and power abuses because of their charisma and skills. An integrated approach to ministry, however, argues that unhealthy leaders will lead unhealthy teams, and that, in time, unresolved personal and spiritual issues in the leader will emerge in his or her tone, posture, and relationships.  


The goal of the Wholehearted Leadership: Cultivating an Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Grounded Ministry DMin model is to help students understand that all ministry is ultimately embodied in the leader and, as such, the well-being and flourishing of the leader is critical for compelling ministry. Content on emotionally healthy preaching, family history, creativity, soul care, self-awareness (enneagram), positive accountability, and encouragement networks will all be relevant material for the coursework. Final projects may include a ministry “rule of life” or strategic leadership model that is born out of the cohort experience.  

 

Ezekiel 24:24 ‘Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’

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Get to Know Cohort Mentor Rev. Dr. Steve Norman

Get to Know Cohort Mentor Rev. Dr. Steve Norman

Steve Norman is a speaker, author, and coach who loves to help individuals, couples, and families take the next step in understanding their identity, strengths, and calling.


Steve is a gifted speaker who has spent the last 25 years serving local churches in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas as a church planter, teaching pastor, and lead pastor. He has a weekly devotional podcast, The New Norm with Steve Norman, where he shares brief insights on faith, leadership, and culture. He also created and hosted the Bad Soccer Dad Podcast, a resource he designed to help parents and kids explore the intersection of faith, character, and the wild world of youth sports.


As an award-winning author, Steve has written articles for Christianity Today, Preaching Today, and the Covenant Companion. He is also the author of the book, The Preacher as Sermon: How Who You Are Shapes What They Hear. 


He holds a Doctorate of Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary and is passionate about helping individuals, families, churches, and businesses take the next step in their growth and development.


Steve and his wife, Kelly, have been married for twenty-four years and reside in West Michigan with their son, three daughters, and their Bernedoodle, Chewie.

Important Dates

Apply by May 1, 2026

The application and all supplemental material must be submitted by the due date.


The Doctor of Ministry application includes:

  • Three recommendation forms
  • One letter of ecclesial endorsement
  • Two personal statements
  • One academic writing sample
  • Official Transcripts from previous educational institutions


Confirm by June 1, 2026

Accepted students are required to confirm their program participation and pay the deposit fee by the deadline.


Applicants will receive email notifications of their acceptance status in May. 


If you have questions about your application, contact our admissions team at admissions@westernsem.edu.

Seminar Schedule

Seminars are scheduled in March and September of each year until graduation in April 2029.


Cohort Launch and 1st Seminar: September 21-25, 2026, at Western Theological Seminary


2nd Seminar: March 1-5, 2027, at Western Theological Seminary

Wholehearted Leadership Virtual Info Session

Join us on Tuesday, April 14, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST for a virtual info session to learn more about this Doctor of Ministry cohort. We hope to see you there!

Register Today
Pastor Mike Gorr
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What was helpful early on was the sense of community and family that this cohort was to one another...That sense of being loved right where you were, especially as I was wrestling with all sorts of feelings that I didn’t measure up as a church planter and pastor.
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- Pastor Mike Gorr

Doctor of Ministry, Class of 2021

Ready to take the next step?

Start your application today.

Apply Now

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