Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Omarosa Goes to Seminary

We've actually never heard of this woman, but apparently she's famous as a result of her appearances on a reality show. Before that, she worked for Al Gore. (Tip o' the biretta to Babyrunaround for this.)

Anyway, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, a celebrity in the classic sense of being celebrated less for one's achievements than for one's existence, has enrolled at a Methodist seminary in Ohio, where she is reported to be studying for a "Doctor of Ministry" degree.

Nothing remarkable there. Or almost nothing. Father Anonymous has many friends and colleagues who hold this degree. It's pretty common ... among ministers. And that's the thing, y'see.

The D. Min. is a "clinical" degree, meaning that it is intended as a form of advanced study for practitioners. Gordon-Conwell describes theirs as "is the highest professional degree for men and women already successfully engaged in ministry." It is not a Ph.D., intended for those who are going to teach. (Hardened cynics say that it is a fluff degree, intended to burnish the resumes of ministers too lazy to pursue a real doctorate. We disagree, but see their point.)

Meanwhile, Stallworth-Manigault has a BA in Broadcast Journalism and an MA in Communications. Apart from being a celebrity, she works as a political consultant. (And shows a lot of belly button while doing it. We're so glad Carville didn't think of this.)

So. What part of her life's experience thus far constitutes "successful engagement in ministry"? We aren't quite sure.

5 comments:

Pastor Joelle said...

I have a doctor of Ministry from LSTC. I don't get no respect for it. People with *real* degrees poo poo it. People in the parish are not impressed with education. But I got something out of it. I like to put "Dr. of Ministry" under my name on the stationary. But we were told we could not say The Rev. Dr. - that was only for PH ds.

I think the respect a DMin deserves depends on the school. I think LSTC was pretty tough. Just the fact that they let Omarosa (I confess I have weakness for reality shows and watched her in that Trump show) in their program says a lot (and none of it good) about their program

stynxno said...

Well, there was always that time she had a reality show about her getting a boob job. She even convinced her mom to go under the knife as well.

She was on the first Apprentice and became a full time reality tv star. I expect to see her on Dancing with the Stars soon enough.

Father Anonymous said...

Seriously? A reality show about her own boob job? Oh, these are grim times.

LoieJ said...

I'd say that this reflects on the institution that accepted her. And why was this on the news? Must have been a slow news day or self promotion.

Father Anonymous said...

It surely does reflect on the seminary which accepted her.

I checked, and the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. I don't know a thing about this organization, but I do know that most seminaries are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS; formerly AATS). I'm sure the North Central etc. sets a reasonable standard, and I know that the methodists take theological education seriously indeed, but I can't help wondering ....