Jerry N. Page: New ministerial secretary

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States—Jerry N. Page is the new ministerial secretary for the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters, having been elected on July 1, 2010, by the General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Previously, he was the president of the Seventhday Adventist Church in central California. He succeeds James A. Cress, who died in November 2009.

One of his key responsibilities as ministerial secretary will be overseeing the support for more than 16,000 Seventh-day Adventist pastors around the world. In order to offer this support, he and other members of the Ministerial Association will be working closely with their ministerial colleagues in the various organizational units of the church.

The Ministerial Association provides various services to ministers, including support for pastors’ spouses and families through the Shepherdess International program, which will be led by Page’s wife, Janet Page, who was elected as an associate ministerial secretary.

The editors welcome this new team and pray that God will bless them in their new roles.

The church in the city: A new Doctor of Ministry program

Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States—Chicago, Illinois, United States, serves as the backdrop for a new Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree program, with churches in the heart of the city providing the context for case studies. Students will immerse themselves in the life of Chicago—including interaction with city administration, transportation system, hospitals, schools and universities, and housing authorities.

Modules of this DMin program include Urban Community Development, Spiritual and Theological Foundations for Ministry, Field Research for Ministry, Urban Church Growth and Discipleship, and Urban Church Leadership and Management.

Participants will experience an indepth study of key biblical, theological, and contemporary insights into the church in Chicago. A compassionate vision for the city will be fostered, and issues in urban life and corresponding systems explored. The program includes an emphasis on strategic planning that contributes to economic and community development.

For more information, visit www.andrews.edu/sem/dmin. [Rita Pusey]