Why I Don’t Regret Not Getting a PhD
I’m in the final stages of my Doctor of Ministry degree. I frequently get asked why I didn’t do a PhD since I seem to have an academic bent. That’s a good question.
I was originally in a Doctor of Theology program (equivalent to a PhD) at a different school that I’m at now. For a number of reasons, I voluntarily withdrew from that program and that school. It was then that I decided to apply to the Doctor of Ministry program at Acadia Divinity College.
Although the DMin is not considered by many to be as prestigious of a degree as the PhD, I don’t regret my decision. Before coming to Queen Street Baptist Church, I had the opportunity to wrestle with my calling. This included a fairly heavy teaching load. I absolutely loved that time of teaching but I also discovered that my primary calling is that of a pastor (although with a teaching emphasis). The DMin is designed more to equip me in my pastoral role.
One of the reasons that I don’t regret being in the DMin program is that Acadia Divinity College (unlike many other schools) requires biblical and theological courses in addition to ministry courses. During my studies, I had the opportunity to learn from such great scholars as Craig Evans, Larry Hurtado and Ron Sider. I definitely did not miss out on learning opportunities.
Generally, a PhD is designed for teaching and research. People who intend to teach normally seek a PhD. But in my case, I have had the opportunity to teach many courses (see my CV) with the degrees I have. In addition, I have had a number of articles published in scholarly journals. I’m not trying to brag but rather to say that such goals can be achieved with or without a PhD.
This is not an attempt to discourage people from PhD studies. I’m simply saying that I’m content with the opportunities that my education has provided. In addition to pastoring, I continue to teach two courses a year at Tyndale University College. Once my thesis is completed, I will likely be submitting more journal articles.
I love to bridge the gap between the church and the academy, but my primary burden is the church. For that, my DMin will do just fine.
This, too, is my testimony. I graduated from Acadia University ADC, DMin 1995. I never regreted that decision.
My lack of PhD hasn’t slowed me. I have even helped friends with PhDs to get teaching gigs.