Southeastern’s PhD in Christian Leadership Trains Great Commission Leaders Who Last
Chad Burchett | September 13, 2023
Today’s crisis in leadership is nothing new. In every age, the Church has labored to train godly leaders who finish well even when others fall away. While many modern resources on Christian leadership verge on cliché, families, churches, and other ministry organizations are increasingly wearied by serious failures in leadership.
Southeastern Seminary is committed to training Great Commission leaders who last because its mission is to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission. The Church needs godly leaders who not only know God’s word but also practice it in community and lead with Christ-like humility and earnestness for the truth. To see the Great Commission fulfilled, the Church needs leaders who love the nations, who train others to make disciples in the power of the Spirit, and who mobilize Christians to obey the final marching orders of King Jesus.
Designed to offer rigorous biblical, theological, and organizational training for future leaders, Southeastern’s PhD with a specialization in Christian leadership is an advanced research degree that equips men and women to take seriously the task of leading with Great Commission intentionality. Current students and graduates of this specialization include pastors, missions administrators, denominational workers, academic administrators, and other leaders.
“A leader is a primary influencer on a church or organization,” commented Chuck Lawless, dean of doctoral studies and vice president for spiritual formation and ministry centers at Southeastern. “That is why this specialization helps leaders grow in Christian theology, practical application, and personal evaluation — all while studying and writing at the most advanced level.”
“At Southeastern, we believe that to send out unequipped believers is to send them out unarmed and ill-prepared for the reality of spiritual warfare,” added Lawless. “Trained Christian leaders, however, are equipped to maximize their influence even while they raise up the next generation of leaders and missionaries.”
At Southeastern, we believe that to send out unequipped believers is to send them out unarmed and ill-prepared for the reality of spiritual warfare.
Starting this academic year, the specialization in Christian leadership includes newly added courses on foundations of leadership and another on change and conflict resolution in the Church. Providing students with sustained mentorship opportunities, the specialization in Christian leadership enables students to learn from experienced professors and guest speakers who are also seasoned leaders.
As one of the professors in the program, Jeff Struecker, assistant professor of Christian leadership, experienced firsthand the impact of being equipped and mentored in this specialization as a student.
“In the specialization in Christian leadership, I was challenged to research and read at a level that I had never experienced before — even during my career in the Army,” recalled Struecker, retired chaplain and decorated Army Ranger. “To this day, I am a much better leader because of my training at Southeastern. I was better equipped to think like a high-level leader and to train other high-level leaders.”
For Struecker, the specialization in Christian leadership is a one-of-a-kind program that prepares students to lead with faithfulness to Jesus in any context.
“If you sense that King Jesus is calling you to lead in the local church or in a Christian business or in Christian organizations or institutions, I can’t think of a better program for you,” noted Struecker. “Southeastern’s PhD in Christian leadership will challenge you to be a spiritually grounded and disciplined leader who is prepared for whatever the Lord has in store for you.”
PhD applications for the summer of 2024 are currently open. Students who have successfully completed an application by December 1, 2023, and taken the entrance exam by January 5, 2024, can begin their degree with a summer 2024 seminar on “The Personal Life of the Leader” (LED9355), taught by President Danny Akin and visiting professors Crawford Loritts Jr. and Jimmy Scroggins. This course will cover ethical issues in leadership, discuss a leader’s spiritual life, and address other relevant issues like the leader’s family life, priorities, and time management.
To learn more about the PhD with a specialization in Christian leadership, visit Southeastern’s degree page, or contact Southeastern’s PhD office at [email protected].
