What is Ministry Sciences?

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What is Ministry Sciences?

Have you ever heard of it? You might be more familiar with the disciplines of Christian Religion, Theology, or even Social Sciences. Ministry Sciences is an innovative interdisciplinary approach that combines theological study, spiritual formation, and practical ministry skills to equip individuals for impactful Christian living and leadership. It overlaps with Social Sciences by embracing study and research that align with the Word of God and the purpose of ministry.

Henry Reyenga, president of Christian Leaders Institute, and Dr. David Feddes have been instrumental in developing the Ministry Sciences approach. In 2018, they co-created a social sciences course where the vision for Ministry Sciences took shape. The term “Ministry Sciences” was coined to describe an approach that integrates God into addressing societal issues. While Social Science as a discipline often excludes God, Ministry Sciences welcomes His involvement, blending this perspective into ministry practices. This approach thoroughly examines how ministry activities—such as worship, preaching, sacraments, ceremonies, and pastoral care—contribute to the spiritual and communal life of both the church and individual believers.

The Influence of Herman Dooyeweerd and Roy Clouser

The philosophies of Herman Dooyeweerd and Roy Clouser have profoundly influenced the development of Ministry Sciences. Dooyeweerd, a Dutch philosopher, is known for his theory of modal aspects, which proposes that all of reality is composed of different aspects, each governed by its own set of laws. He argued that no single aspect, whether scientific, ethical, or theological, can be reduced to another, and that all are interconnected and ultimately grounded in a religious commitment. This idea has shaped Ministry Sciences by emphasizing the integration of various aspects of human experience—spiritual, social, psychological—within a framework that honors the sovereignty of God over every domain of life.

Roy Clouser, a philosopher influenced by Dooyeweerd, further developed these ideas, particularly in his work on the role of religious beliefs in shaping all human thought, including scientific inquiry. Clouser argues that everyone has a “divinity belief” that informs their worldview and influences how they interpret reality. This perspective aligns with the Ministry Sciences approach, which recognizes that ministry is not just a practice but also a way of understanding and engaging with the world that is deeply informed by one’s faith in God.

The Practice

A key feature of Ministry Sciences is its focus on addressing specific human needs and pain points through targeted ministry. For example, this approach explores how Christian marriages can thrive by understanding and applying biblical teachings on sexual intimacy. Read more. The range of topics covered in Ministry Sciences is vast, encompassing not only traditional ministry and theology subjects but also areas commonly explored in the social sciences, which are often overlooked in ministry circles. Ministry Sciences bridges this gap by promoting a ministry-oriented approach to these topics and inviting God into the transformational journeys of individuals and communities.

Consider the study of addictions, for instance: Ministry Studies delves into how ministry can offer healing and support to those struggling with various forms of addiction. This approach goes beyond conventional therapy by integrating spiritual care, prayer, and biblical wisdom, providing a holistic path to recovery. Whether addressing marital issues, mental health concerns, or societal challenges like poverty and injustice, Ministry Sciences seeks to offer practical, biblically grounded solutions to real-life challenges, demonstrating how God’s truth and grace can bring about lasting transformation.

Ministry Sciences extends beyond traditional theological education by incorporating insights from philosophy and social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, while also recognizing their limitations. The goal is to enhance ministry practices that promote human flourishing, spiritual growth, and the effective spread of the gospel. This approach also emphasizes the importance of training Christian leaders who are well-equipped to serve in various ministry roles, including officiating ceremonies, providing counseling, and leading congregations.

Integrative Ministry Sciences

Ministry Sciences does not claim to replace counselors, therapists, or doctors. Instead, it invites Christian counselors, therapists, and doctors to welcome God into their practices and integrate Ministry into their learning and thinking. The vision is for Christian counselors, therapists, and doctors to also become ministers, blending their professional expertise with a strong foundation in ministry.

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Educational Impact

An early practitioner of Ministry Sciences is Steve Elzinga, a Divinity graduate of Calvin Seminary. In the late 1990s, he studied the multiple connections involved in a walk with God. From his work, the Seven Connections framework emerged as a reproducible ministry tool for helping people understand their walk with God in the context of these connections in their lives. Enroll in a Course that explore the Seven Connections

Another early practitioner of Ministry Sciences is Marquette University graduate Brian DeCook. As a practicing attorney, he saw the limitations of a conflict-oriented legal system. In the early 2000s, he transitioned away from practicing law and focused on studying what the Bible has to say about navigating conflict and pursuing peace instead. See Peacefire.net

The Founding of Christian Leaders Institute

In 2006, Christian Leaders Institute was founded by Calvin Seminary M.Div. graduate Henry Reyenga, along with businessmen Ron Parr and Rich DeVos Sr. While it was not initially called Ministry Sciences, the mission was to empower Christians—volunteer, part-time, and full-time ministers—through free ministry study. In 2013, another businessman, Dale Deppe, encouraged founder Henry Reyenga to expand ministry training topics and credentialing. By 2024, over 200 ministry training courses covering a myriad of topics had been developed.

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The Term “Ministry Sciences”

Henry Reyenga and Dr. David Feddes have made pivotal contributions to the development of Ministry Sciences. They have created educational resources, courses, and programs that blend biblical principles with insights from the social sciences, ensuring that students at CLI not only learn theological concepts but also how to apply them in practical, real-world ministry settings. This holistic approach to ministry training is at the core of what Ministry Sciences represents.

Reyenga, a church planter, writer, and speaker on ministry training and leadership, noticed that Ministry Sciences topics naturally became the focus of sermon series in church planting. Through his work at CLI, he has established a significant platform for promoting the Ministry Sciences framework, shaping the next generation of Christian leaders to meet the spiritual and practical needs of their communities.

Dr. David Feddes served as the English radio minister for the Back to God radio broadcast from the 1990s to early 2005. Each broadcast addressed subjects commonly discussed in the social sciences, making them early examples of the Ministry Sciences approach that Feddes later developed further at Christian Leaders Institute.

The Core

At its core, Ministry Sciences is deeply concerned with how biblical principles and the power of the Holy Spirit work in and through Christian leaders to transform lives, strengthen communities, and fulfill the mission of the church. Topics like how to pray are thoroughly studied, and courses are designed to explore these subjects in depth.

Embrace the Transformative Power

Ministry Sciences offers a unique and transformative approach to Christian ministry, integrating theological study, spiritual formation, and practical skills with insights from philosophy and social sciences. By bridging gaps often overlooked in traditional ministry and embracing God’s role in addressing societal challenges, Ministry Sciences equips Christian leaders to meet the pressing needs of individuals and communities.

If you are passionate about making a real impact through your ministry, consider this approach. Whether you are a Christian, volunteer or part-time minister, pastor, counselor, therapist, or medical professional, Ministry Sciences invites you to integrate your faith with your professional expertise, empowering you to bring holistic, biblically grounded solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.

Join the movement that’s reshaping how we approach ministry in today’s complex world. Enroll in courses, connect with like-minded leaders, and become part of a growing community dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities through the power of God’s truth and grace. Discover how Ministry Sciences can help you fulfill your calling and make a lasting difference in the lives of those you serve.

Start your journey today and be a catalyst for change in your community and beyond.

Articles and Posts

1. Discovering Ministry Sciences: Click Here.

2. Philosophy: Click Here.

3. Methodology: Click Here

4. Tropes

5. Leaders

6. Testimonies

7. Connections

8. The Study of Prayer

9. Study of the Word of God

10. Study the Confession of Sins