Academics
School of Ministry
Advance Your Calling
The Vision of the School of Ministry is to prepare men and women to fulfill God’s call to transformational ministry.
The Mission of the School of Ministry is to advance the Gospel of Christ by increasing the capacities of students to understand God’s Word (Knowing), to become whole and holy people (Being), and to lead and serve effectively (Doing).
Master of Arts in Ministry
Master of Arts in Ministry
The Master of Arts in Ministry is designed to help students develop ministry skills that will lead to lifelong learning and vocational success. This program aims to increase students’ capacities to understand God’s Word, thus becoming whole and holy people who can lead and serve effectively.
THE MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY
Equips students to interpret scripture through an emphasis on fundamental hermeneutics, Biblical themes, Christian Trinitarian doctrine, and church history
Empowers students in intentional spiritual formation, dwelling in Christ, and becoming like Christ
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Ministry consists of 40 semester hours.
Bible History and Theology (12 hours)
| MIN/MINO5113 | Hermeneutics and Exegesis | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5133 | Church History | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6113 | Biblical Themes | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6123 | The Trinity | 3 |
Ministry Skills (12 hours)
| MIN/MINO5313 | Authentic Leadership | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5323 | Pastoral Care | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5333 | Practical Aspects of Ministry | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6323 | Communication in Ministry | 3 |
Spiritual Formation (12 hours)
MIN/MINO5213 | Essentials of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
MIN/MINO5223 | Practices of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
MIN/MINO6213 | Traditions of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
MIN/MINO6223 | Applications of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
Personal Development (4 hours)
MIN5231 | Spiritual Formation Retreat | 1 |
MINO5411 | Mentored Growth and Development I | 1 |
MINO5421 | Mentored Growth and Development II | 1 |
MINO6231 | Final Integrative Project | 1 |
Master of Arts in Ministry: Anglican Studies Concentration
Master of Arts in Ministry: Anglican Studies Concentration
The Master of Arts in Ministry: Anglican Studies Concentration is designed to help students develop ministry skills that will lead to lifelong learning and vocational success. Additionally, this program orients students to the history and theological distinctives of Anglicanism, preparing them with context-sensitive approaches to contemporary ministry.
MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY: ANGLICAN STUDIES CONCENTRATION
Equips students to interpret scripture through an emphasis on fundamental hermeneutics, Biblical themes, Christian Trinitarian doctrine, and church history
Empowers students in intentional spiritual formation, dwelling in Christ, and becoming like Christ
Orients students to the history of Anglicanism, including theological distinctives and its ecclesial, liturgical heritage
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Ministry: Anglican Studies Concentration consists of 33 semester hours.
Bible History and Theology (11 hours)
| MIN/MINO5113 | Hermeneutics and Exegesis | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5133 | Church History | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6113 | Biblical Themes | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6122 | The Trinity | 2 |
Spiritual Formation (6 hours)
| MINO5423 | Formations in Discipline and Rule of Life | 3 |
| MINO6213 | Traditions of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
Anglican Studies (10 hours)
| MINO5413 | Anglican History and Identity | 3 |
| MINO6413 | Ministries of the Church: Liturgy, Sacraments, and Worship | 3 |
| MINO6424 | Missional Theology | 4 |
Personal Development (6 hours)
| MINO5411 | Mentored Growth and Development I | 1 |
| MINO5421 | Mentored Growth and Development II | 1 |
| MIN/MINO5323 | Pastoral Care | 3 |
| MINO6231 | Final Integrative Project | 1 |
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Direction
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Direction
The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Direction is meant to prepare students for the ministry of Spiritual Direction by equipping them to discern their own call and abilities and aiding them in becoming whole and holy people.
MASTER OF ARTS IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND DIRECTION
Equips students to interpret scripture through an emphasis on fundamental hermeneutics, Biblical themes, Christian Trinitarian doctrine, and church history
Empowers students in intentional spiritual formation, dwelling in Christ, and becoming like Christ
Prepares students with the Biblical, historical framework for the art of Spiritual Direction, helping them develop practical skills to explore discernment practices.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Direction consists of 40 semester hours.
Bible History and Theology (12 hours)
| MIN/MINO5113 | Hermeneutics and Exegesis | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5133 | Church History | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5323 | Pastoral Care | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6123 | The Trinity | 3 |
Spiritual Formation (12 hours)
| MIN/MINO5213 | Essentials of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| MIN/MINO5223 | Practices of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6213 | Traditions of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| MIN/MINO6223 | Applications of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
Spiritual Direction (15 hours)
| SPD7253 | Perceiving a Holy Invitation | 3 |
| SPD7263 | Preparing an Available Self | 3 |
| SPD7273 | Developing a Listening Ear | 3 |
| SPD7283 | Discerning and Knowing God | 3 |
| SPD7293 | Arranging a Sacred Space | 3 |
Capstone (1 hour)
| MINO6231 | Final Integrative Project | 1 |
Master of Arts in Trauma, Theology, and Ministry
Master of Arts in Trauma, Theology, and Ministry
CERTIFICATE OPTION
Richmont’s programs in Trauma, Theology, and Ministry are unique and interdisciplinary courses of study bringing students into the best of trauma-informed theology and ministry practices. As the church’s awareness of mental health and trauma continues to grow, all thoughtful Christians need to engage with the meaning of how we discuss God, present Him to a hurting world, and seek to live out His kingdom.
Students in these programs will be exposed to how trauma-informed study can open new dimensions of understanding in both scripture and church history. They will also learn how to frame major Christian doctrines in a trauma-sensitive way. Finally, they will learn how to make churches and ministries into places that are trauma-safe, psychologically informed, and deeply reflective of God’s great compassion.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Arts in Trauma, Theology, and Ministry consists of 33 semester hours.
Bible History and Theology (12 hours)
| MIN5113 | Hermeneutics and Exegesis | 3 |
| MIN5433 | History and Theology I: Ancient to Medieval | 3 |
| MIN6113 | Biblical Themes | 3 |
| MIN6433 | History and Theology II: Renaissance to Today | 3 |
Ministry Skills (9 hours)
| MIN5213 | Essentials of Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| MIN5232 | Pastoral Care | 3 |
| MIN5333 | Practical Aspects of Ministry | 3 |
Trauma and Theology (9 hours)
MIN6613 | Trauma-Informed Theology and the Church | 3 |
MIN6623 | Hermeneutics, History, and Legacies of Trauma | 3 |
MIN6633 | Theodicy and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
Personal Development (3 hours)
MIN5411 | Mentored Growth and Development I | 1 |
MIN5421 | Mentored Growth and Development II | 1 |
MIN6231 | Final Integrative Project | 1 |
Certificate Requirements
All five classes in the sequence listed below are required to complete the certificate.| MIN6613 | Trauma-Informed Theology and the Church | Fall Semester | 3 |
| MIN5323 | Pastoral Care | Spring Semester | 3 |
| MIN6623 | Hermeneutics, History, and Legacies of Trauma | Fall Semester | 3 |
| MIN6633 | Theodicy and Trauma Counseling | Spring Semester | 3 |
| MIN6231 | Final Integrative Project | Summer Semester | 1 |
Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
School of Ministry Faculty
Christopher Boyd, Ph.D.
Authentic Leadership
Ph.D., Regent University; M.B.A., Shorter College. Executive Pastor, Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, in Austell, GA. Specialization: Organization Leadership.
Christopher Boyd, Ph.D.
Helen Mulligan Edwards, D.Min.
Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Formation
D.Min. in Spiritual Direction, Fuller Theological Seminary; M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, Spring Arbor University; Renovaré Institute Graduate Certificate; Spiritual Direction Graduate Certificate, Richmont Graduate University; B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, Mt. Mercy College. Faculty member, Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation and Jesuit Spirituality Center, School of Spiritual Direction.
Helen Mulligan Edwards, D.Min.
Leland Eliason, Th.D.
Authentic Leadership
Th.D. Pastoral Psychology, Boston University School of Theology. Masters of Sacred Theology, Pastoral Psychology, Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary (Luther Seminary). Bachelor of Divinity, historical theology major, Bethel Seminary. Founding Dean of the School of Ministry at Richmont Graduate University.
Leland Eliason, Th.D.
Chris Green, Ph.D, D.Min
Chris Green earned a B.S. and an M.M. at Southwestern Christian University, an M.S.T.S at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, a D.Min. at Oral Roberts University, and a Ph.D. at Bangor University. Dr. Green has served as faculty at Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Southwestern Christian University, Mid-American University, and Oral Roberts University. His research and writing focus on the relationship of vocation, holiness, and scriptural hermeneutics. Dr. Green presently serves as Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL) and Director for St Anthony Institute of Theology, Philosophy, and Liturgics. He is the author and editor of a number of books, including most recently, All Things Beautiful: An Aesthetic Christology.
Chris Green, Ph.D, D.Min
Steve Hall, D.Min.
Steve attended Lee University where he met his wife La Don. They served in Pastoral roles on the west coast until 1992 when he decided to further his education in counseling and return to Maryland. Upon returning, he joined the team at Heritage Community Church and focused on Christian Education and Pastoral Care.
He attended Loyola College in Baltimore, graduating in 1998 with a Master's in Pastoral Counseling. He attained his license to practice Mental Health in Maryland and started the Heritage Pastoral Counseling Center. He received his Doctorate of Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Ashland Theological Seminary and has served as Pastor with Heritage Community Church for nearly three decades.
Steve Hall, D.Min.
Preston Hill, Ph.D.
Dr. Hill serves as Assistant Professor of Integrative Theology at Richmont and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. ln 2021 he completed a Ph.D. in Theology at St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, having previously completed an MLitt degree in Analytic and Exegetical Theology from the Logos Institute at St Andrews. He has released his first coauthored book with Scott Harrower and Joshua Cockayne entitled Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Church (Cascade) and is releasing his first edited volume entitled Christ and Trauma: Theology East of Eden (Pickwick Publications). Dr. Hill is also ordained in the Anglican tradition and is a pre-licensed clinical pastoral therapist.
Preston Hill, Ph.D.
T. Ryan Jackson, Ph.D.
Biblical Themes
Ph.D. Cambridge University. Masters of Philosophy, Cambridge University. M.Div. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Bachelor of Religion from Emmanuel College. Over 20 years of learning and practicing leadership in the Body of Christ and serving the church locally and globally.
T. Ryan Jackson, Ph.D.
Marcus Kilian, Psy.D.
Practices of Spiritual Formation
PsyD, Regent University. MTh, University of South Africa. MDiv, Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Specialization: Spiritual Formation, Christian Spirituality & Psychological Dynamics.
Marcus Kilian, Psy.D.
Gary W. Moon, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Christian Spirituality
Ph.D. Fuller Theological Seminary. Director of the Martin Family Institute and Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Codirector of Fuller’s Doctor of Ministry degree program in Spiritual Direction. Founding Director of the Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. His books include Becoming Dallas Willard, Apprenticeship with Jesus, and Falling for God.
Gary W. Moon, Ph.D.
Jody Owens, D.Min.
Practices of Spiritual Formation
D. Min., Emmanuel Christian Seminary; M. Div. Emmanuel Christian Seminary; M.A. in New Testament and Preaching, Johnson University; B.A. History, Armstrong State College; Academy for Spiritual Formation; Renovare Institute for Spiritual Formation. Founder / Director of the Spiritual Formation Leadership Summit; Director, M.A. Spiritual Formation Concentration, Johnson University.
Jody Owens, D.Min.
Tracy Reynolds, DSL
Practical Aspects of Ministry
DSL Doctoral in Strategic Leadership majoring in Strategic Foresight, Regent University. 15 hours in Christian Education, Erskine Seminary. MMED Music Education, University of Georgia. Discipleship Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church of God. Former Vice President for Student Development, Emmanuel College. Former Dean and Former Assistant Professor in the School of Christian Ministries at Emmanuel College.
Tracy Reynolds, DSL
Joshua Rice, Ph.D.
Dr. Joshua Rice serves as Provost and Dean of the School of Ministry at Richmont Graduate University. He holds degrees from Lee University (B.A.), Columbia Theological Seminary (M.A.), and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (Th.M, Ph.D.). He is the author of three monographs, Paul and Patronage: The Dynamics of Power in 1 Corinthians (Pickwick, 2013), The Jewish Centaur: Adventures in Pentecostal Spirituality (Cascade, 2015), and The Patriarch: Essays from the Middle (Resource Publications, 2024), as well as numerous scholarly articles. A full-time pastor for 20+ years, his passions are at the nexus of students, the Church, leadership development, and biblical scholarship. He is also a current student in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Georgia State University where he also works on research projects in the HAPPI Lab.
Joshua Rice, Ph.D.
James D. Smith III, Th.D.
The Trinity
Th.D., Th.M., Harvard, M.Div. Bethel Seminary, A.B. San Diego State. Ordained 1978 (BGC/Converge). Pastoral ministries in MN, MA and CA (currently). Since 1988 church history faculty at Bethel. Specializations: biography, doctrine, spiritual life/ministry, missions, women in Christian tradition, Nouwen. Member: AAR, ASCH, SABR.
James D. Smith III, Th.D.
Michael Stewart, D.Min.
Communication in Ministry
D.Min., Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; M.A., Liberty University; B.A., A.A., Emmanuel College. Certificate in Advanced Church Leadership, Beeson Institute of Asbury Theological Seminary. Former pastor and college president.
Michael Stewart, D.Min.
Samuel Youngs, Ph.D.
Samuel Youngs has been a part of The Mission Chattanooga community since 2012. As the Dean he is primarily responsible for shepherding the academic vision of the MSM. He also serves as the lead Lecturer in Theology & History for the MSM. Sam is a professor in the Christian Studies department at Bryan College in Dayton, TN. He has taught at Bryan since 2011. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology & Religious Studies at King’s College (London); his M.A. in Religion is from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His teaching and research interests span philosophical theology, history of doctrine, world religion, and hermeneutics. He served as the Book Review Editor for American Theological Inquiry from 2013 to 2015 and has published reviews and/or articles in Reviews in Religion & Theology, Swiss American Historical Review, The Asbury Journal, Trinity Journal, American Theological Inquiry, The Journal of Religious History, Philosophia Christi, and The Journal of Comparative Theology. His first book is under contract, entitled: The Way of the Kenotic Christ: The Christology of Jürgen Moltmann.
Samuel Youngs, Ph.D.
“The most meaningful part of being a part of Richmont is the emphasis on wellness. The term for that is spiritual formation—the health and wellness of our souls.”
Daniel Harrison
School of Ministry Student