The M.Div. with Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary provides theological training in both tactical and transformational skills. The Emphasis is designed to be collaborative and transformative, practice oriented, and marked by real time ministry action and reflection in community.
Through coursework and contextual practice, students will sharpen their theological, historical, and scriptural awareness, while learning how to receive and communicate the good news of God in Christ in various cultural contexts. Internships with local church planters in a variety of traditions and environments provide laboratories in which students can observe, experiment, and create new expressions of Christian community.
Funded third year internships to launch entirely new communities provide laboratories to invite faithful experiments and offer learning that works in tandem with practice so that best practices are not just learned but absorbed. Participation in cohort life with fellow students offers a holistic and reflective learning community and provides for the spiritual formation of participants. Through all of these components, students cultivate their ability to listen and respond to the Holy Spirit’s direction as they go forth in mission.
Key Resources of the Emphasis in Forming New Faith Communities
One-on-one collaboration with the director to tailor core course assignments so they are informed by the particular concerns of convening new faith communities- A Field Education internship in a new worshiping community context with a local planter
- Monthly cohort lunches that offer community discernment practices, connections with local leaders in the field, and framed conversations about missional leadership
- A funded, third year launch internship including
- A $2,800 stipend for 10 hours/week of work during the academic year
- A $1,000 program budget for the launching community
- Monthly coaching during the academic year
- A three-part, non-credit bearing course on faith-based non-profit management in partnership with the Bayer Center for Non-Profit Management
- A book on stewardship in new worshiping communities produced in partnership with 1001 New Worshipping Communities
- Connection with our local, onsite 1001 New Worshiping Communities staff person
- An ecosystem of creative new faith communities in a variety of traditions around Pittsburgh, collaborating with CPI in a variety of ways
- Close collaboration with the local Presbytery, as well as strong partnerships with other local judicatories
- Church Planting focused intercultural trip opportunities through Pittsburgh Seminary’s World Mission Initiative
Other New Faith Communities Programs at Pittsburgh Seminary
Read about our Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry or Graduate Certificate in Adaptive and Innovative Ministry.
Careers for M.Div. New Faith Communities Emphasis Grads
This list of church plants across denominational traditions that have been started by PTS alums is ever growing.
- Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community Founded by the Rev. Jeff Eddings '08 and the Rev. Jim Walker '03, and now pastored by Jeff with support from the Rev. Maggie Smith '16, Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community is sharing God's word in Pittsburgh's South Side and beyond. Learn more. WATCH VIDEO
- Judah Fellowship Christian Church The Rev. Shanea Leonard '05 founded Judah Fellowship, a church committed to being a voice in the community, a leader in justice, a beacon of hope and love for the wounded, and a true witness of the gospel message of Jesus. Learn more.
- The Open Door A missional church community, The Open Door serves Pittsburgh's East End and is led by the Rev. BJ Woodworth '07 (pastor) and the Rev. John Creasy '06 (associate pastor). Additionally, John is also director of the Garfield Community Farm. Learn more.
- Roots of Faith is a community ministry led by the Rev. Ben Phipps '15 and located in Sharpsburg, Pa. Read his story. Listen to the NPR story. Learn more.
- Sanctuary Missional Fellowship Organized by the Rev. Laura Bentley-Nusser '16 and Jane Larson '17, Sanctuary Missional Fellowship is a Christian community for the faithful and the doubt-filled to eat, listen, learn, encourage, and give together. Learn more. WATCH VIDEO
- Oakland Commonwealth Organized by the Rev. Mike Holohan '10, and joined by Erin Angeli '18, Oakland Commonwealth brings together community residents—those who attend the universities, those who work in the universities, those who sleep on the streets, and those who are housed in the community for meals, fellowship, and engagement with their common story. Learn More.
- Zoe Organized by the Rev. Dan Isadore '12, Zoe brings people from various communities around Pittsburgh together in Dan’s home to celebrate monthly the Eucharist, eat together, dwell in the Word, and pray—all of it to receive the Life that Jesus offers together.
- Ephesus Project Organized by Rev. Joan Prentice '11, Ephesus provides a distinctly Christian environment of spiritual and educational excellence for those who are looking to experience relevant and empowering ministry that transforms lives and builds leaders and communities. Learn More
M.Div. New Faith Communities Emphasis Core Student Competencies
Students who complete the M.Div. Emphasis will:
- Develop, describe, and make use of a theologically-informed, contextually-aware, mission-shaped vision for ministry.
- Form a community in the student’s ministry context which is rooted in Christian practices and lead the community in spiritual discernment.
- Engage in practices that support ongoing vocational discernment and articulate a deepening sense of call.
- Demonstrate the ability to participate in God’s work of enacting racial justice by describing and resisting the sin of racism.
M.Div. with New Faith Communities Emphasis Program Structure
Application
- Specialized Essay
- Interview with Director
Junior Year
- WS 110: Worship Seminar (Fall Semester, required in M.Div.)
- Consultation with CPI Director (Two)
- Begin Portfolio
- CS 110: Contextual Analysis (Spring Semester, required in M.Div.)
- Consultation with CPI Director (Two)
- Build Portfolio
- SP 110: Spiritual Formation (Fall and Spring Semester, required in M.Div.)
- Field Education: Observation Assigned in WS 110 and CS 110 (Fall and Spring Semester)
- Monthly Lunches (Seven per year)
Middler Year
- FE 210/FE 220: Field Education I and II (Fall and Spring Semester, required in M.Div.)
- Consultation with CPI Director
- Placement
- Learning Goals
- End of the Year Evaluation
- Build Portfolio
- Consultation with CPI Director
- DML Assessment (recommended)
- Monthly Lunches (Seven per year)
Senior Year
- EV 455: Planting and Leading New Churches
- Short-term Inter-cultural Experience (J-Term, required in M.Div.)
- Field Education: Apprenticeship with 1001 or Launch Internship
- 10 hours per week
- Monthly Coaching
- Faith-based Non-profit Training (Three-part)
- Manage Budget
- Monthly Reports to CPI Director
- Monthly Lunches (7 per year)
- Exit Interview
- Portfolio Exposé