Cultivating Faith and Leadership: A DMin Journey

Last updated on: September 17, 2025 at 3:22 pm by Jeff McLain

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Cultivating Faith and Leadership: A DMin Journey 2025-09-17T15:22:53-04:00 Jeff McLain

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Jeff McLain, Student in Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Kairos University.

In March 2024, I began my journey in the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Kairos University. Through my studies, I am focused on deepening my understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and learning to live it fully. My studies explore the theological and practical implications of using the Lord’s Prayer in discipleship, within communal contexts, and as a guide for those on a spiritual pilgrimage. Ultimately, I believe that this program will help me to encourage the local church, empower its leaders, and develop a framework for living a life of faithful presence and downward mobility (as I am pursuing on this Lead A Quiet Life blog on Patheos). This doctoral journey is also just another step in my spiritual pilgrimage to love and live more like Jesus.

Through my studies, I hope to uncover the theological and practical implications of the Lord’s Prayer as a tool for discipleship and community building, equipping myself to encourage local churches and empower their leaders. Ultimately, this doctoral journey is not just an academic endeavor; it’s a pivotal step in my spiritual pilgrimage to love and live more like Jesus, fostering a life of faithful presence amid chaos. I aspire to inspire others to find peace and purpose in simplicity, contributing to a faith that resists the noise and celebrates genuine connection.

The Doctor of Ministry program at Kairos University

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Kairos University typically takes around three years to complete at a minimum. The program is designed around a praxis model of theological reflection, emphasizing the ongoing integration of biblical, theological, and cultural disciplines within the context of ministry. This approach ensures that academic study is continually connected to practical ministry experience. Kairos University is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), providing a solid foundation for both scholarly and practical ministry development.

A Journey of Lifelong Learning and Growth

Though I have always valued learning, I was not so good at it when I was growing up. I’m both humbled and a bit surprised to have reached this point in my journey with the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Kairos University. It feels like the culmination of so many years of growth and study, and yet it’s also a reminder of how much more there is to learn. This opportunity allows me to continue deepening my understanding of faith and ministry, equipping me to serve others in ways I never imagined possible. In addition to my doctoral studies, I am also completing a third master’s degree, an MBA with a concentration in Executive Leadership, at City Vision University. Previously, I completed a Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry and a Master of Arts in Global Leadership at Fuller Seminary. I also graduated summa cum laude with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and an Associate Degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership from City Vision University. While there are moments when it feels like I was destined for this path, there are also times when I recognize just how hard I’ve worked and how much I’ve had to grow to reach this point and it surprises me. I encourage you to also continue pushing yourself toward new, God-honoring heights.

However, my path to this point has been anything but quiet or conventional. Though I’ve now become a committed student, I had actually waited until my thirties to pursue formal schooling. Instead, in my late teens and twenties, I embarked on a quest for meaning and adventure, immersing myself in concert promotions, activism, spiritual sojourns, and hitchhiking. These experiences took me across the country several times, leaving me with a treasure trove of stories and profound encounters with God. It was through these adventures, and the investment of an unpretentious local pastor, that God led me back to Jesus, His cause, and His church – and ultimately to push myself as a student in academia. Sometimes people ask me why I’m pursuing an educational path. While I have made financial mistakes with student loans early in my journey that still haunt me and I use as a warning to others, I also feel deeply called to do this learning journey. There was a moment when I struggled with my identity, but God reassured me that my imperfections as a speaker were part of my purpose. Over time, it has become clear that I serve as a bridge between many spheres and worlds.

Learning to live life well

Through my life and faith, I am seeking to understand what it means to lead a quiet life at a slower pace, embracing simplicity and faith amidst a chaotic world and a church driven by excess. This theme is not only central to my life and this blog but also deeply influences my doctoral studies. Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to making a difference. In my role as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I work full-time with individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. I also serve as the pastor of River Corner Church, a growing community of everyday people who gather to worship God, follow Jesus, and journey through life together. Through my doctoral studies, I aim to gain new frameworks for pastoring in the local church and enhancing my work with those experiencing homelessness. As a society, we’ve become addicted to the emotional rush of dopamine, excitement, and adventure. This often leads us to believe that we need bigger and better things, from material possessions to our church communities. Perhaps true contentment could be found if we embraced a slower pace and practiced gratitude for a simpler faith during these chaotic seasons. I encourage you to be a student who learns more than someone who achieves.

The challenges of my doctoral studies

In addition to the costs of raising three daughters, my health has brought about some recent and additional complications and financial challenges. After being accepted into this program, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which has caused me to develop new rhythms of living and to face increased medical costs while pursuing schooling. To make affording this journey possible, I am hoping for the willingness of others to invest in my educational journey. The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Kairos University typically takes around three years to complete at a minimum and a total cost of $10,800, which includes tuition and all associated costs. While I believe this program will provide me with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively encourage the local church, empower leaders, and develop a theological and practical framework for a life of faithful presence and downward mobility – I cannot do it alone. Prayer, encouragement, and creative financial management and the investment and grants from others are all needed. I look forward to the possibility of partnering with you on this journey and informing you on how this is bettering me as a leader, pastor, pastoral theologian, and follower of Jesus. By December 2028, I want to graduate with a Doctor of Ministry degree, debt-free, with a publishable dissertation, a 3.5 GPA, and liberated for what is next. Having clear, God-honoring goals is essential for guiding our lives and aligning our actions with our faith. What barriers are holding you back from fully pursuing these goals, and how can you address them?

Let’s Connect.

As I continue this journey, I’m excited about the growth and insights that lie ahead, both for myself and those I serve. I invite you to join me in this exploration of faith, community, and purpose. Together, we can pursue God-honoring goals and embrace a quieter, more meaningful way of living. Let’s connect and encourage one another on this path. If you are interested in engaging in conversation, please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

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About Jeff McLain

Through 'Lead a Quiet Life,' Jeff McLain explores his pursuit of simplicity in a tumultuous world as he serves as the Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission and as pastor at River Corner Church. Jeff's commitment to Jesus as been shaped by an unconventional journey from activism to hitchhiking, is reflected in his academic pursuits and throughout his involvement with various initiatives. Residing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jeff, along with his wife and three daughters, embraces family moments outdoors, while his love for baseball, boardwalks, beaches, and books adds depth to his vibrant life. You can read more about the author here.

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