DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
Rudy Carrasco is contemplating a DMin -- but is getting a lot of advice to the contrary. Here's my 2 cents:

I started out in a DMin program because it offered flexibility for continuing education. My MDiv didn't have a thesis and I was thinking that I might attempt a PhD someday so I wanted something with a final writing project. At the time there wasn't anything fieldbased on the master's level so I signed up for the DMin. It was worth it for me.

I pretty much got to design my own program at Fuller and did not do the church growth thing. But I was able to focus on leadership development and church renewal -- specifically the impact of new churches. On a whole I found the classes challenging and they forced me to think through a lot of issues. I feel that they have equipped me to make a greater contribution to the mission. It was not a cake walk but obviously it was not the same as doing an academic PhD.

In terms of usability of the degree? The structure and the process was helpful for me. But having a DMin hasn't put me in a new pay bracket or turned me into a superstar preacher. It hasn't even really contributed to my ministerial prestige -- although I'm not sure that I ever had any of that in the first place.

Mark Twain supposedly said that honorary degrees are like silk underwear -- nice to know you have but you wouldn't want to show it off. I think that this is good advice regarding the not-so-honorary DMin, too (and all advanced degrees for that matter). If you do one just do it for the sake of what you'll learn in the process. And there is a lot to learn.

Not all DMins are the same. Look for one which has a focus in an area of interest. And look for the professors with whom you'd like to study -- but not necessarily with whom you'll see things totally eye-to-eye. Regional and ATS accreditation will give you some sense of the rigor of the program -- so check that, too, if you're looking to be stretched.