KDMIN

Korean Doctor of Ministry

The Korean Doctor of Ministry is the highest degree available for gospel ministry. This course is a pastoral training program that helps Korean and Korean diaspora ministry leaders to faithfully understand the meaning of the Bible and to demonstrate in all areas of pastoral ministry the transforming power of the teaching of Jesus Christ.

The Korean Doctor of Ministry Program is a cohort-based, modular program of study designed to enhance your ministry in three different areas of pastoral concern: theology, preaching, and practical ministry - all rooted in Westminster's theological distinctives. The program is offered fully in the Korean language with consideration for ministry within a Korean cultural context.
Westminster’s integrated training will prepare you to:

Engage in Christ-centered biblical exegesis and expository preaching from the Old and New Testaments.

Understand pastoral theology and ministry in the Korean and diaspora church contexts.

Defend the Christian faith in a manner consistent with the Scriptures.

Teach and apply the whole counsel of God in real-world situations in life and ministry.

Demonstrate biblical principles of leadership in order to serve the Korean and diaspora church humbly and effectively.

at a glance

Courses

8

Years To Complete

5–6

Delivery Platforms

on-campus only
online only
Both On-campus & Online

Original Languages

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“The whole curriculum focuses on Jesus Christ, which I greatly appreciated. Through this program, I have become convinced that it is not only the sermon, but every single aspect of pastoral ministry that should be focused on Christ.”

Rev. Wonseok oh
Senior pastor, synyongsan church, Republic of korea
integrated training
The Korean Doctor of Ministry program combines Christ-centered theology with practical ministry application under the guidance of expert faculty and mentorship of experienced Korean church leaders.
Our Korean DMin curriculum is crafted to be cumulatively sequential and thoroughly integrated.

Each discipline derives its content and methodology from Scripture and therefore necessarily draws on—and informs—all other disciplines.

Foundational Courses
2 courses
  • PRK1 Introduction and Orientation to Graduate Work, Westminster Hermeneutics & Theology

  • PRK2 Pastoral Theology

Preaching Courses
3 Courses
  • PPK1 Foundations for a Lifetime of Fruitful Preaching

  • PPK6 Preaching Christ from the Old Testament

  • PPK7 Preaching Christ from the New Testament

Pastoral Ministry Courses
3 Courses
  • PMK1 Pastoral Ministry and Leadership in the Korean Church Context

  • PMK6 Pastor as Peacemaker

  • PMK7 Jonathan Edwards’ Theology and Ministry

The program culminates in the completion of the applied research project, through which the student is expected to demonstrate mastery in a particular area of pastoral theology. Identifying a problem, question, or topic; proposing and applying a ministry model; and evaluating that model are essential ingredients of the project. This work must be set upon biblical and theological foundations, taking into account both historical precedents and current cultural conditions on the area in view.
Westminster’s expert faculty is made up of dynamic biblical scholars who are personally invested in mentoring and training the next generation of specialists in the Bible.
Alfred Poirier
Pastoral Theology
John Currie
Pastoral Theology
Nate Shannon
Apologetics
Iain Duguid
Old Testament
Peter Lillback
Church History
Sung Soo Kwon
Pastoral Theology
David Filson
Apologetics
Leslie Altena
Theological Writing
Julius Kim
Pastoral Theology
Dennis Johnson
New Testament

A Network of Trusted Mentors

To enter Westminster’s KDMin Program is to join a community of passionate pastors who have dedicated their entire lives to gospel ministry. Our mentorship program was launched to allow our KDMin students to receive pastoral mentoring in a personal environment with respected leaders in the Korean church.

mentors:

Sung Soo Kwon
(Daegu Dongshin Church, Korea)

Nam Joon Kim
(Yullin Church, Korea)

Gyu Hyun Lee
(Sooyoungro Church, Korea)

Kyu Sam Han
(Choong Hyun Church, Korea)

Bryan Hanyoh Kim
(Bethel Church, CA, United States)

Jongboo Hwa
(NamSeoul Presbyterian Church, Korea)

AVAILABLE ONLINE & ON-CAMPUS

To better equip the global church, Westminster offers the Master of Divinity online, on-campus, or through a hybrid experience you design.

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THE ONLINE EXPERIENCE:

A better way to learn online, for when you need to stay.

Flexible programs that fit your life.

Engaging and innovative classroom environment.

Easy-to-use technology connects you to a global community.

Immediate application in life and ministry.

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THE ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCE:

Deep community and discipleship through shared daily life.

Programs intentionally crafted for ministry preparation and deep academic study.

Unparalleled access to expert faculty who are invested in your life and ministry.

Life-on-life fellowship in a diverse and like-minded community.

Communal rhythms of prayer and worship woven into all areas of campus life.

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HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
I was impressed by how the professors cared for the students with such pastoral hearts—that care was a huge strength to me personally.
REV. GYO SEUNG KIM, KDMIN
The program understands the distinctive feature of the DMin degree, combining theory and real practice, and firmly upholds the identity of Westminster while reflecting the context of the Korean church.
REV. WONYONG RHEE, KDMIN
I was able to see ministerial experiences in a new light, and these moments challenged me.
REV. DENNIS SUNGSOO KIM, KDMIN
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Hear From Our Students

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications does Westminster require in its KDMin applicants?

The KDMin Program accepts 15 students each year. Our requirements are similar to those for the English language DMin Program: an MDiv degree and at least three years in full-time pastoral ministry. We seek applicants who are senior pastors with rich pastoral ministry experience. Because our classes are small, discussion-based, and have a strong emphasis on practice, we would like our students to benefit not only from the curriculum, but also from one another’s ministry experiences.

How much time will KDMin students spend on Westminster’s Philadelphia campus, with Westminster faculty?

Over three years of coursework, KDMin students are required to take courses at Westminster’s Philadelphia campus for two weeks each summer and may also choose to take an online course during the winter that would require them to spend an additional week on campus. During these weeks, the students will have substantial contact with Westminster’s faculty, who teach over 75 percent of the program’s courses through simultaneous interpretation.

What is the Korean Church Scholarship, and who is eligible to receive it?

As a result of the dedication and sincere desire of many people to see a revival in the Korean church, the KDMin Program received generous contributions from many donors to establish the Korean Church Scholarship. This scholarship is made available to every student that enters the Program. If you would also like to support the establishment of the next generation of Korean church leaders by giving to Westminster’s KDMin Program, please contact us at kdmin@wts.edu.

What precautionary measures are being taken for Covid-19?

Our program has resumed in-person classes as of Summer 2022, and we will continue to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance as we welcome our students back to Westminster’s campus for oursummer module. Our winter electives will continue to be offered online.

 For our summer in-person courses these are the precautionary measures we are taking: All participants are to be fully vaccinated and covered by health insurance for the trip. Thorough testing in compliance with CDC guidelines upon close contact. Masking and regular self-testing while on campus. Antigen/PCR testing prior to departing campus. 

Please contact us for more details regarding these precautionary measures for Covid-19

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