Doctoral students at the Zinzendorf School of Doctoral Studies (ZSDS) are meeting their mentors regularly in Ministry Track sessions to help them focus on completing their final research projects.

Each doctoral student belongs to one of the ten Ministry Tracks, which are research areas or specialty subjects such as Education/Ministry Resources, Cross Cultural Communication, Church Planting and Evangelism, Gospel and Technology, Children's and Youth Ministry, Christian Communication Design, Family Ministry, Church Worship & Music, Business as Mission and Spiritual Formation.

The Ministry Track session is where Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) candidates and their ministry track mentors meet to have in-depth discussions on the final research project. Ministry track mentors prepare a short lecture or provide a bibliography on specific subject matters to support the students' research. D.Min. candidates are required to write a 3-5 pages paper commenting on the subject and give a presentation to peer groups to demonstrate their understanding on the topic.

"The Zinzendorf School of Doctoral Studies reorganized the Doctor of Ministry program into 10 Ministry Tracks last year," said Dr. Tom Cowley, director of the D.Min. program.

"This allows improved guidance of candidates along areas of ministry related to their D.Min. project and final paper. Ministry tracks will focus ministry track leader and peer groups working in a specific area of ministry," added Dr. Cowley.

Ministry Track sessions help to ensure D.Min. candidates are on track until the completion of their final research projects. Rather than only meeting at the annual doctoral colloquiums, the sessions allow students and faculty maintains engagement throughout the year.