PC008-812 - Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministries

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC608. Unit exclusions: EM017-612, EM017-712, EM017-812

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, personal spiritual development and relationships in professional ministry, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice

B. Be able to

1. Examine personal spiritual development in professional ministry

2. Review relationships in professional ministry

3. Critically Reflect on maintaining self-awareness and spiritual vitality for professional ministry

4. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on personal spiritual development and relationships in professional ministry

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministries’ in professional ministry contexts as a reflective practitioner.

Content

Section A: Personal Spiritual Development

1. Vocation, call, giftedness, career choice; selection for professional ministries.

2. Maintaining spiritual vitality in professional ministry settings, including patterns of personal prayer and Bible study; the daily offices; fellowship with other Christians.

3. Dealing with stress and its spiritual consequences; conflict resolution; avoiding burnout; material possessions and money; recreation.

4. Doubt, temptation and testing, spiritual warfare; spiritual wholeness.

Section B: Relationships in Ministry

5. Personal significance and security; relational skills, including listening, self-disclosure, empathy.

6. Relations with others in ministry, including congregational members and leaders, co-workers, other ministers, Christians from other traditions, those in authority.

7. Relationships in the professional minister’s household; the single professional minister; the Christian home; spiritual, relational and financial factors affecting the spouse and children.

8. Roles and role conflict; authority and team-work; servant ministries; taking responsibility.

Note: Sections A and B are weighted approximately equally.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


In addition to works listed in the Bibliography for PC045:

Carson, D. A. and J. D. Woodbridge, Letters Along the Way (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1993).

Chan, S., Spiritual Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1998).

Demarest, B., Satisfy Your Soul (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1999).

Foster, R., Streams of Living Water (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998).

Foster, R. and J. B. Smith (eds), Devotional Classics (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993).

Kingham, R., Surprises of the Spirit (Canberra: Barnabas, 1991).

McGrath, A. E., Christian Spirituality: An Introduction (Oxford; Malden, MA: Blackwell, 1999).

McGrath, A. E., The Journey: A Pilgrim in the Lands of the Spirit (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1999).

Nouwen, H., In the Name of Jesus (New York: Crossroad, 1989).

Peterson, E. H., Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2005).

Peterson, E. H., The Contemplative Pastor (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993).

Piper, J., Desiring God (Sisters, OR: Multnomah, 2003).

Shawchuck, N. and R. Heuser, Managing the Congregation (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996).

Stevens, R. P., The Abolition of the Laity: Vocation, Work & Ministry in a Biblical Perspective (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

 

Journals: Leadership, Grid and Australian Ministry.

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