FACULTY PROFILE
Rev. Dr. Tony Curtis Henderson
For more than thirty-four years, the Rev. Dr. Henderson has had the opportunity to serve God through pastorates in seven Christian Methodist Episcopal congregations in the states of Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan, respectively. Presently, he serves as the founding pastor of Resurrection Christian Center. In addition to serving as a pastor, he has served as a teacher and pastoral leader in church discipleship ministries and institutes that were sponsored by various Methodist congregations and several Baptist congregations. His ministry has included roles in the development of the Edmonds-Carr Nonprofit Housing Corporation, being an Adjunct Hospital Chaplain, and serving as a Theological Field Education Supervisor.
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In 2004, he was invited to ETS to teach and to direct its theological field education program, which is known as Ministry Practicum. One of the rich qualities of this vocation that he really loves is the diversity of its faculty and staff. Another aspect of his calling is teaching and learning from his students who come from various traditions within the Church, as well as, from diverse ethnic communities throughout the state of Michigan. Finally, a very significant part of his calling has to do with his constant advocacy for the intentional integration of spiritual or theological theory/principles with ministerial and/or ecclesiastical practice as the minister and the congregation look critically and honestly at the church’s mission against the landscape of devastating social, political, educational, economic, and justice issues that manifest themselves daily in the life of our various communities.
Associate Professor of Practical Theology
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Doctor of MinistryThe Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Program offers training in ministry beyond the initial experiences of pastoral commitment. It intends renewal for the minister and the congregation. As an academic and practical program, the ETS D.Min. program has been developed to emphasize ministers' specific needs. Interpreting the meanings of theological symbols in the lived experience of ministry brings the whole context of faith to bear on immediate existential challenges of ministry. Worship, prayer, and meditation are explored as basic ways of understanding and living ministry. Learn More
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Master of DivinityThe Master of Divinity (MDiv) is designed to be completed in 3 years of full-time study, but many students complete the degree in 5 - 7 years on a part-time basis. The program balances academic engagement with practical experience, while seeking to empower students to develop their spirituality and sense of calling. Students in this program find themselves strengthened academically and experience tremendous personal and spiritual growth. Learn More
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Master of Arts in Theological StudiesThis is a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Theological Studies. The degree program is designed with more elective courses to give the student the freedom to customize their MATS degree to suit their interest in theological education. Learn More
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Master of Arts in Pastoral MinistryThe Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) program is designed to meet students' needs for pastoral-theological formation for ministry outside the local congregtion in a variety of professional venues that desire practical ministerial leadership skills, but do not require a Master of Divinity degree. Learn More
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Master of Arts (Academic)The Masters of Arts (MA) is an academic degree program offering a course of study in Biblical Studies. The MA program is intended to prepare students to seek further graduate study in pursuit of the terminal degree in Biblical Studies. Learn More
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ConcentrationsEach year ETS offers sequences of 3-4 interconnected courses. These courses can be taken individually, but students in the MDiv or MAPM program who complete all of them will receive a notation on their degree identifying this concentration in the appropriate area of specialization. These concentrations allow students to explore particular topics more deeply, and also demonstrate a focused area of study and expertise to future congregations and potential employers. 2024-2025 offerings: Worship and Pneumatological Studies Concentration in Worship For the 2024-2025 Academic Year, ETS will be offering Master’s students the opportunity to pursue a concentration in Worship. These courses will build on the foundation of the Worship & Community course, offering students practical experience in planning, developing, and leading worship services of all types and varieties, including those offered for special occasions such as funerals and marriages. Concentration in Pneumatological Studies Ecumenical Theological Seminary is excited to introduce our new Master’s concentration in Pneumatological Studies. This area focuses on the ways in which the Holy Spirit has been felt, expressed, and understood throughout the history of the Church, including in contemporary global movements. Students pursuing this concentration will take coursework in historical Spirit-led movements, the theology of the Holy Spirit, and how the Holy Spirit is felt in the Church today. Learn More
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Certificate in Theological StudiesThe Certificate in Theological Studies is designed for individuals who want to deepen and enrich their spiritual life through theological study, who are exploring their call to ministry, or who want enhancement of their theological knowledge in service to the church. Classes taken for the Certificate in Theological Studies are eligible to be applied to the MDiv or MAPM should the student choose to enter either of those programs. Learn More
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Continuing EducationETS welcomes students who have already completed their Master’s degree to use any course not already represented on their transcript for continuing education. A 4-credit course will count as 4 Continuing Education (CE) Units, and the student will receive a certificate upon completion. CE students are expected to participate fully in the course and complete all assigned work. CE students will receive a Pass/Fail grade for the course. CE students must possess a theological Master’s degree from an accredited institution. (Students without a Master’s may either audit courses, take workshops, or enroll in a program to pursue a Master’s degree.) Students applying for CE must fill out the application on the ETS website. The only additional requirements are unofficial transcripts indicating the completion of a Master’s degree. The cost for taking a Master’s course as a CE student is $1000. This is less than half of our standard tuition cost, in an effort to acknowledge and honor the work of pastors and other ministry practitioners, as well as to show appreciation for the prior academic work represented by their Master’s degree. READ MORE
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Urban Ministry DiplomaThe Urban Ministry Diploma Program (UMD) is a non-degree course of study in theology and ministry designed for clergy and laypeople. The aim of the program is to provide theological and ministerial training that is concise, practical, specific to urban church ministry -- and that is multicultural, cross-cultural, and ecumenical in focus. The only requirement for entrance is a High School Diploma or GED, as well a a passion for ministry. Students who excel in the UMD program may be admitted into one of ETS's Master's programs, even without a Bachelor's Degree. Learn More