Doctor of Ministry (Chaplaincy)

Overview of the Doctor of Ministry in Chaplaincy Program at BTS

Birmingham Theological Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program is tailored to meet the needs of both bi-vocational pastors and full-time pastors active in ordained ministry, as well as full-time ministry professionals in church-based or non-profit organizations. Our program offers five specialized tracks:

• Pastoral Leadership
• Biblical Counseling
• Apologetics
• Church Vitality
• Chaplaincy

Expert Faculty and Mentorship

Each faculty member in our programs holds a terminal, post-graduate degree and has extensive experience as a full-time ministry practitioner. Their expertise in integrating biblical, historical, practical, and theological resources into successful ministries positions them as “practical academicians” and mentors to our students.

Cohort-Based, Interactive Learning in a synchronous/asynchronous model 

The BTS D.Min. program is cohort-based and classroom-oriented. It emphasizes educational innovation and community-driven learning, encouraging students to integrate academic knowledge with professional skills. The chaplaincy track is designed to be completed both synchronously and asynchronously. 

Doctor of Ministry in Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy track at BTS aims to train pastors to become Biblical servant leaders. This program is designed for those ministering in a post-Christian culture, focusing on fidelity to God’s word, cultural sensitivity, a passion for the local church, and a commitment to discipleship and leadership development.

Program Objectives and Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Counseling Methodologies for Chaplains
• Advanced Hermeneutics
• First Freedom and Leadership
• Strategic Christian Leadership
• Christian Ethics for Strategic Leaders
• Strategic Application of Christian Worldview 
  

The Doctor of Ministry in Chaplaincy is structured to equip chaplains with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective leadership and ministry in diverse and changing cultural landscapes. This program integrates rigorous theological and pastoral training within a Reformed framework, emphasizing biblical counseling, practical theology, and ethics to meet complex spiritual, emotional, and ethical needs encountered in chaplaincy. 

Meet Col. Pete Sniffin, our Director of Chaplaincy Programs

Birmingham Theological Seminary (BTS) is excited to welcome Col. (Ret.) Pete Sniffin as the new Director of Chaplaincy Programs. With an impressive career in the U.S. Army and extensive experience in leadership and education, Col. Sniffin is well-equipped to lead BTS’s chaplaincy initiatives. His appointment aligns with BTS’s recent ARTS (Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries) accreditation by CHEA (Council on Higher Education and Accreditation), expanding our reach in seminary education for chaplains across military, prison, hospital, and corporate settings.