HIV/AIDS Project

MDiv Students help create church legislation

In response to the global HIV/AIDS crisis, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) has commissioned Payne Theological Seminary to equip all A.M.E. church leaders with knowledge about the pandemic disease. The legislation was passed at the denominations 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference held July 6-13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Payne’s President, Rev. Dr. Michael J. Brown said, “The mandatory legislation will be extended throughout the entire AMEC network.

The institutionalized policy is expected to help leaders become effective in reducing HIV/AIDS in the communities they serve through awareness, collaborative resources and routine HIV testing. [READ MORE]

Seminary Celebrates World AIDS Day

Payne Theological Seminary urged students to become aware of the effects that AIDS can have on all of us. Red ribbons were handed out to students and staff. The red ribbon is worn in support of those that are affected by this disease A special luncheon was also held in Mitchell Anderson Hall. President Brown lit a candle in memory of those affected with AIDS, and Dr. Michael Miller, associate dean, lead students and staff in a prayer. World AIDS is held the first Friday of December. The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 to raise awareness and to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS. It has since helped spread relief to those who suffer from AIDS.

The Master of Divinity degree is designed to prepare men and women for competent and faithful service to the Church and to the community in a way that meets the needs of a rapidly changing world.

This 90-credit-hour program may be completed in three to five years of full-time or part-time residential and online study. Core curriculum areas of study include: Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, Theological Studies, and Practical Ministry.

The Master of Divinity degree provides professional training for Christian ministry and further graduate studies. While most Payne students go into the pastoral ministry, the seminary trains persons for work as chaplains, educators, pastoral counselors, community development practitioners, and scholars.

The Doctor of Ministry degree is a program designed to enrich and transform the ministries of religious leaders in traditional and non-traditional Christian church settings. Students are able to select from seven cohorts with mentor leadership to guide their spiritual and educational journey through the program.

The degree is composed of six semesters. Each semester begins with one week of intensive work, which meets on Payne’s campus in August and in January. These intensive seminars provide a rigorous academic foundation in the study of ministerial leadership, liberation theology, and research methods. Following each intensive seminar, students and faculty engage in asynchronous dialogue through Blackboard Collaborate.

The DMin program is designed for persons who have been in ministry for at least three years and want to support their professional lives with further academic study.