President Mellott Guides Students through MDiv Intensive

 

The beginning of a journey is often marked by excitement, uncertainty, and a sense of potential. For first-year Master of Divinity (MDiv) students at CTS, this journey begins with the intensive course THEO M501A: Ministerial Formation 1, a foundational experience that sets the stage for their theological education and ministerial formation. Taught by CTS President David M. Mellott, PhD, this course is not just an introduction to seminary life; it is a transformative experience designed to integrate spiritual disciplines, vocational discernment, and theological reflection.

THEO M501A is the first in a three-course series focused on ministerial formation. This week-long intensive, held each August, is a required part of the curriculum for first-year MDiv students. Unlike other courses that may offer online or hybrid modes of instruction, Ministerial Formation 1 is conducted in-person only, emphasizing the importance of community and face-to-face interaction in the early stages of theological training. The course carries one credit and involves a deep dive into the spiritual, vocational, and theological aspects of ministry.

Ministerial Formation 1 introduces students to key spiritual disciplines and deepens the process of vocational discernment. The course also includes a first-year self-assessment, allowing students to reflect on their initial experiences and set goals for their journey ahead. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are not only academically prepared but also spiritually grounded and vocationally directed.

According to President Mellott, “One of my academic loves is to introduce people to theological reflection and theological studies. The process is more delicate than some may imagine. When people arrive at seminary, they are typically not accustomed to taking an in-depth look at their theological point of view. Learning how to bring their experience and commitments into conversation with the wealth of resources available in the Christian faith is exciting, but it is also destabilizing. That is why we spend time in this first formation course understanding the connections between our theological studies, our spiritual life, and our ministerial formation. Participants in the course regularly report that this holistic approach is both helpful and affirming, even when it gets uncomfortable.”

President Mellott’s involvement in teaching this course is significant. As the President of CTS, his direct engagement with first-year students highlights the institution’s commitment to personal and professional development. Mellott’s extensive experience in theological education, dating back to 1994, brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the classroom. His passion for teaching and his dedication to student formation are evident in his approach to the course.

“I have been teaching formation courses since 1994 and each group of participants brings interesting questions and insights. It is an honor to join them in this initial experience of seminary and to be a witness to their discernment and growth,” Mellott shares. His enthusiasm for the course is palpable, and his leadership provides a strong foundation for students embarking on their seminary journey.

The MDiv degree at CTS is designed to prepare graduates for diverse forms of ministry and community leadership. The program is comprehensive, encompassing a broad range of theological, ethical, and practical subjects. Students now engage with a curriculum that includes not only the standard courses in Bible, theology, pastoral arts, history, and interdisciplinary studies, but also required courses in interfaith leadership, church administration, gender, sexuality, and theology, and anti-racism. The MDiv degree requires 75 credit hours to complete, including 63 required credits and 12 elective credits, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

One of the unique aspects of the MDiv program at CTS is its emphasis on community life and supervised ministry experiences. These elements ensure that students are not only gaining academic knowledge but also practical skills and experiences that are essential for effective ministry. The program offers flexibility in course formats, including week-long intensives and Saturday courses, making it accessible to a wide range of students.

Ministerial Formation 1 is part of a carefully structured sequence of courses designed to guide students through their ministerial formation. Following this initial course, students continue with THEO M502: Formation in Ministry II, which provides a venue for theological reflection on their emerging vocations and assesses their progress in the MDiv program. The final course in the sequence, THEO M503: Ministerial Formation 3, focuses on the transition from seminary to lifelong learning in ministry and includes the completion of a final year portfolio. The comprehensive approach of these courses ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of ministry.

One of the highlights of the MDiv program is the MDiv Intensive Week, which includes the Ministerial Formation 1 course. This immersive experience combines coursework, worship services, meals, and extracurricular activities, creating a strong sense of community among the students. Last year’s intensive week was highly engaging and successful, and this year’s cohort of twenty-one students is eagerly anticipated.

“The combination of courses, worship services, meals, and extracurricular activities helped to create community among the students, just as we hoped,” Mellott explains. “There are twenty-one students in this year’s first formation course! I can’t wait to meet them and begin the journey with them! In the years ahead, the other required in-person courses will be offered at the same time. When that happens, the MDiv Intensive Week will energize the students and the seminary!”

This intensive course is a pivotal component of the MDiv program at CTS. Under the guidance of President Mellott, the class of students taking the class this fall are sure to have a meaningful introduction to the CTS community and a strong start to their academic formation. As CTS continues to shape the next generation of ministry leaders, courses like Ministerial Formation 1 play a crucial role in fulfilling the seminary’s mission of transformative education and community impact.

 

President David M. Mellott, PhD

The Reverend David M. Mellott, PhD, is the son of Francis and Joyce Mellott and was raised in Shadyside, Ohio. Theologian, teacher, administrator, and spiritual director, he is committed to supporting and nurturing Christians and Christian communities as they seek to love God, neighbor, and themselves more deeply. Reimagining theological education and spiritual formation have been the focus of his teaching and writing. He is the author of two books: I Was and I Am Dust: Penitente Practices as a Way of Knowing and Finding Your Way in Seminary: What to Expect, How to Thrive. He is currently completing a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, “Current and Future Directions in Theological Education”.

Dr. Mellott began his service as President of Christian Theological Seminary July 1, 2019.

Dr. Mellott holds a PhD from Emory University, an MA in Religious Studies and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and a BA in English Literature and Latin American Studies from the Pontifical College Josephinum.

Previously, he served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2019. He also was the Professor of Theological Formation and Director of Ministerial Formation.

Dr. Mellott is an Ordained Minister of the United Church of Christ. He and his husband the Reverend Lance F. Mullins reside in Indianapolis, Indiana.