Donald C. Guthrie, EdD

Director of the Educational Ministry Studies (PhD) Program; Professor of Educational Ministry Studies; Jeanette L. Hsieh Chair of Educational Leadership
I teach image bearers, prayerfully hoping they steward their agency so that God is glorified, neighbors are loved, and God’s Kingdom is advanced. As members of Christ’s body, Christians have a responsibility to honor, serve, and love one another as they bear witness in the power of God’s Spirit to God’s gospel in God’s world.

Donald Guthrie serves as Professor of Educational Ministries and Director of the Educational Ministry Studies PhD Program. He also serves as Executive Director of Trinity’s Center for Transformational Churches. Prior to joining the TEDS faculty, Donald worked in campus ministry with the Coalition for Christian outreach in Pittsburgh, PA and served on the faculty and administration of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He has advanced degrees from the University of Georgia, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. 

Donald is a co-author of Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving and The Politics of Ministry: Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests, and Pastoral Wellbeing. Donald is a frequent teacher at conferences and retreats, often addressing whole life discipleship, intergenerational ministry, leadership, and adult learning. 

Donald has enjoyed serving as an elder in several local churches over the past 35 years. In these churches, Donald has taught classes, trained teachers, and led small groups.He and his wife Mary have enjoyed serving together as local church members over their 40+ years of marriage. They have two adult children and a daughter-in-law.

  • Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (Lake Institute, Lilly School of Philanthropy, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; 2017)
  • Doctor of Education, Adult Education (University of Georgia, Athens, GA; 1998)
  • Master of Arts, Adult and Community Education (Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA; 1992)
  • Master of Divinity (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL; 1985)
  • Bachelor of Arts, Religion (Grove City College, Grove City, PA; 1981)

Expertise

Socio-educational ecosystems, Art, Beauty, and Creativity in Learning, Resilience and the Social Sciences, Systems principles and practices in leadership, team, and ministry contexts, Culturally hospitable teaching and learning theory and methods, Power and interests in teaching and learning, Intergenerational and generational lifelong learning, Faith, Vocation, and Culture, Lay member empowerment in the local church, Ministry leader sustainability

Selected Grants & Publications

  • Pastoral Wellbeing: PCA Pastors Reflect on the Tensions of Ministry. Lawrenceville, GA: Committee on Discipleship Ministries. (2021, Co-author).
  • “Integral Engagement: Christian Constructivism and the Social Sciences.” Christian Education Journal, vol. 16(1), 2019.
  • The Politics of Ministry: Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. (2019, Co-author).
  • Faith and Teaching. In Christian Higher Education: Faith, Teaching, and Learning in the Evangelical Tradition. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. (2018)
  • The Center for Transformational Churches. Ongoing annual Trinity International University proposals to the Kern Family Foundation. (Executive Director, $3.28M/USD funded 2016-2022)
  • “Facilitated Agency: A Promising Pedagogy.” Christian Education Journal, vol. 12(1), 2015, pp. 162-177.
  • Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. (2013, Co-author).

Recent Sample Presentations

  • Effective Doctoral Advising Practices. Co-facilitator. Asia Theological Association, Bangalore, India, November 19-22, 2024.
  • Teaching and Learning. Plenary teacher. Equipping Leaders International Conference. Nashville, TN, October 10-12, 2024.
  • Resilient Ministry. Plenary speaker. Evangelical Dean’s Conference. Phoenix, AZ, February 9, 2024.
  • Effective Doctoral Advising Practices. Co-facilitator. Central American Theological Seminary, Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 22-25, 2023.
  • Resilient Faculty Practices. Plenary speaker. Wesley Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN, May 19-20, 2023.
  • Langham Partnership Vision Weekend. External Validator plenary speaker. Scottsdale, AZ, March 30-April 3, 2023.
  • Resilience in Christ. Plenary speaker. EFCA North Central District Pastor Couples Retreat, October 14-16, 2022 and February 14-16, 2023.
  • Cassuto and Weisbuch’s The New PhD (2021): A Review with Implications for Christian Higher Education. CCCU Collaboration in Doctoral Education Forum, Elgin, IL, September 29-October 1, 2022.
  • Resilience and Renewal. Plenary Facilitator. Langham Partnership Leadership Retreat. Whitefish, MT, August 21-25, 2022.
  • Scattered Together: Global Voices in Education and Mission. Plenary facilitator. Francis Schaeffer Institute Conference, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, April 1-3, 2022.
  • Sustainable Pastoral Service in Gospel Healthy Systems. Plenary speaker. Beeson Divinity School Alumni Conference, Birmingham, AL, November 4-6, 2021.

Awards & Honours

  • Jeanette L. Hsieh Chair of Educational Leadership, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Association of Theological Schools
    • Seminary re-accreditation team member
    • Theological Education Editorial Board
  • Christian Higher Education – Editorial Board (current)
  • Doctoral Education Impact Team, ICETE Work Group member (current)
  • International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE) (current)
  • Society of Professors in Christian Ministry
    • Christian Education Journal Editorial Advisory Board
    • Board of Directors (current)