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