Hybrid Doctor of Ministry in Bridging Divides: In Church, Community, and Country
Join the First Bridging Divides Cohort
Designed in response to the current polarizing political and cultural climate, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s (PTS) three-to-four-year hybrid Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Bridging Divides: In Church, Community, and Country degree program explores the ways the Church can be a healing presence in a fractured world. Ministers, religious leaders, and community members come together to learn theological reflection techniques, conflict transformation practices, and strategies for preaching, care, and leadership that honor both our differences and shared identity as children of God.
History of Division: Answer the Call to Lead Reconciliation
Throughout time, and even within the Church, division has always existed. From the Great Schism to the Reformation, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and from debates in the early church to current-day political polarization, faith communities have wrestled with how to embody unity in Christ while engaging the differences that exist between believers. In Galatians 3:28, Paul addresses tensions around the inclusion of Gentiles in the first-century Church, proclaiming, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
At PTS, we invite students to confront the forces that separate us while learning to lead with hope, humility, and practical wisdom. As Howard Thurman once wrote, “When I look at myself through your eyes … the wall that separates and divides will disappear.” That vision shapes the Bridging Divides focus: learning to be present with others across divides, so the Church may better witness the reconciling love of Christ. Students will:
- Learn pastoral strategies to lead amid polarization and conflict
- Practice theological reflection rooted in unity and justice
- Engage theologies of place and neighborliness
- Explore historical and present-day divisions in the Church and culture
- Develop skills in preaching, teaching, and communal care
- Join a cohort of spiritually grounded, socially conscious ministry and community leaders
Hear from Our Faculty
Careers in Bridging Divides
Some of the most important ministry happens in the hardest places—divided churches, polarized communities, or neighborhoods grappling with change. Graduates with a Doctor of Ministry in Bridging Divides degree serve as pastors, community leaders, and nonprofit professionals who use practical strategies to lead through disagreements, cultivate unity, and help people move forward together. They directly apply communication and conflict resolution skills in contexts where reconciliation, listening, and healing are needed.
Program Details
Review the application steps, tuition information, and curriculum for the Doctor of Ministry in Bridging Divides program.
How to Apply
With limited space in each Bridging Divides cohort, we encourage prospective students to apply early. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary accepts D.Min. degree applications on a rolling basis, and a waitlist is available if the cohort reaches capacity. Explore the D.Min. degree admission requirements to start your application.
Have questions about applying to the Doctor of Ministry program? E-mail the admissions team at or call 412-924-1365.
Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline: Dec. 5, 2025
Final Deadline: April 17, 2026
Prerequisites
For program eligibility, applicants must hold a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or an accredited master's degree in a field related to their ministry context.
Cost and Financial Aid
We’ve structured tuition for the Bridging Divides program to reflect our commitment to church leaders by keeping the cost of attendance lower than most doctoral programs. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary also offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for eligible students earning their D.Min. degree.
Note: Federal loans are not available for this program.
Course Topics
In the Bridging Divides: In Church, Community, and Country focus area, courses span the disciplines of Bible, theology, missiology, ethics, preaching, and pastoral care. Students examine strategies for responding to conflict and division in constructive and imaginative ways. Class topics may include:
- Bridging Divides: An Introduction
- Developing a Neighborhood Ethic of Care
- Seeking Unity in a Divided Church
- Research Methods
- Plunging into the Neighborhood
- Rethinking Church: Ecclesiology
- Preaching and Leading Worship in Conflicted Communities
- Engaging Difference in Communal Contexts
- Communal Care Across Divides
- Transforming Conflict for Peaceful Resolution
Learn More About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Bridging Divides: In Church, Community, and Country Program
Now more than ever, the Church needs leaders who can bridge differences and guide communities toward reconciliation with grace and understanding. If you feel called to this work, apply to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's hybrid Doctor of Ministry in Bridging Divides degree program.
