Field of Ministry
The Ministry Field at North Park Theological Seminary studies, models, and teaches the foundational pastoral competencies: leadership, evangelism, preaching, pastoral care, and intercultural humility. Attention is given to holistic formation both of the pastor and those they care for across diverse ministry contexts, from the neighborhood church to participating with the global church in the missio dei.
Studying Ministry at North Park Theological Seminary
The Ministry Field provides seminary students the opportunity to apply theological and biblical knowledge to a variety of ministry skills—relevant to those just discerning a call to ministry or seasoned pastors alike. Moreover, the field faculty are deeply committed to the Christian life that engages the whole person, inviting us to engage the mission in the world with their head, heart and hands.
Core courses in field include: Evangelism and Justice, Homiletics (preaching), Missiology, and Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Faculty
Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Psychology
Chair of the Ministry Field
Elizabeth Odette Pierre, PhD, LPC
Specialties / Areas of Interest
Trauma, Race and Faith, the impact of sexual violence within the church, Global Learning and Service
Favorite Course
MNST 5125 Introduction to Pastoral Care & Counseling — Focus on the pastoral concerns of the congregation, families, and individuals, and the broader community issues that contemporary pastors must face. Development of skills and attitudes for effective and theologically coherent pastoral care and counseling. Pedagogical approaches include case method, role play, demonstrations, readings, and lecture.
Professor of Missiology
Paul de Neui, PhD
Specialties / Areas of Interest
Abrahamic Studies, Art in Mission, Creation Care, Global Theological Education, Iconography, Intercultural Agility, Missiology, Missional Hermeneutics, Neighborology, Northeast Thai (Isaan) Culture and Spiritual Development, Polycentric Mission, Ritual Studies, Spiritual Direction, Thai Theravada Buddhism.
Favorite Course
Every travel course is a favorite because I always gain amazing insights in each new context. However, for a classroom course, Religions and Cultures has been the most expansive for building my own faith and intercultural agility due to the wonderful opportunities for myself and students to interact with practitioners of several major religions.
Assistant Prof Milton B. Engrebretson Chair in Evangelism & Justice
Michelle Dodson, PhD
Specialties / Areas of Interest
Church and Social Engagement, Multiracial Congregations
Favorite Course
THEO 6334 Peace, Justice and Restorative Practices — This course explores the theological and ethical foundations of justice ministries. Careful study of the Bible probes the grounds of the claim that “justice is central to biblical religion.” Such study seeks to distinguish the definition of justice that is rendered by the biblical tradition from the classical Greek notion and examines Jesus as a prophet of justice.
Director of Contextual and Lifelong Learning
Bret Widman, D. Min
Favorite Course
MNST 5108 Ministry Identity and Practice — Participants in this course will explore a variety of ministries of the church with a view to developing a practical vision to guide their own work and to equip others for theirs. Practices such as pastoral care, leadership, worship and the arts, Christian education and formation, evangelism, compassion and justice, and missions will be introduced with an emphasis on developing communication skills appropriate to each.
Publications by Faculty
Book
Even the Best of Us: Clergy Sexual Failure—The Church’s Hidden Sin
Elizabeth O. Pierre and Dwight A. Perry confront the crisis of clergy sexual misconduct, offering pastoral and theological reflection grounded in real-world ministry. Calling the “Church Too” movement “too late,” the authors explore the inner life of leaders, emotional health, abuse and trust, and the difficult process of recovery—equipping the church to respond with clarity, healing, and grace.