PC076-512 - Personal and Spiritual Formation for Christian Ministry

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC210. Unit exclusions: PC010, DM032.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. Demonstrate Foundational knowledge and understanding of the intra- and inter-personal dynamics present within Christian ministry.

B. Be able to

  1. Describe their personal identity and personality preferences
  2. Outline the dimensions of power relations in Christian ministry
  3. Describe the relationship of self-awareness and spiritual vitality to professional, safe, and ethical practice in Christian ministry
  4. Present Organised evidence-based perspectives on avenues for personal and spiritual vitality in Christian ministry 

C. Be in a position to

1.  Implement appropriate practices of personal and spiritual vitality in professional practice in Christian ministry

Content

1. Self-awareness: personal identity; preferences of personality, spirituality, sexuality; family systems; sources of stress.
2. Personal and spiritual vitality: self-care; boundaries; spiritual practices.
3. Interpersonal engagement: listening; responding to conflict; assertiveness and humility; relationship with family and friends.
4. Professional practice: the importance and place of safe ministry; power differential in ministry relationships; working in teams; submitting to leaders and leading others
5. Practices of wellbeing amidst adversity: acute stress and burnout; spiritual warfare and temptation; mental health; addictive patterns; complex relationships.
 

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.


Recommended:

Ash, Christopher, Zeal without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Lifelong Ministry of Sustainable Sacrifice. Good Book Company, 2016. 
Brain, Peter Robert, Going the distance: How to stay fit for a lifetime of ministry. 2nd ed. Kingsford, NSW: Matthias Media, 2006.
Brown, Jenny, Growing yourself up: How to bring your best to all of life’s relationships, Wollombi, NSW: Exisle Publishing, 2012.
Burns, Bob, Tasha D. Chapman, Donald C. Guthrie, and Steven Garber. The Politics of Ministry: Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2019.
Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005.
Chester, Tim, You Can Change. Nottingham, UK: IVP, 2008.
Clinton, J. Robert, The making of a leader: Recognizing the lessons and stages of leadership development. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012.
Langberg, Diane, Redeeming Power: Understanding authority and abuse in the church. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2020.
Linhart, Terry, and Carey Nieuwhof, The Self-Aware Leader: Discovering your blind spots to reach your ministry potential. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2014
Osborne, Graham. Be a better leader: Personality type and difference in ministry. London, UK: SPCK, 2016. 
Rosner, Brian S., Known by God: a biblical theology of personal identity. Edited by Jonathan Lunde. Biblical theology for life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.
Sherril, AJ., The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation: How knowing ourselves can make us more like Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos.
Thompson, Curt, The soul of shame: Retelling the stories we believe about ourselves. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2015.
 

Classics:

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, Life Together. Edited by Geoffrey B. Kelly. Translated by Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Albrecht Schönherr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works - Reader’s Edition. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2015.
Carson, D.A., A Call To Spiritual Reformation. Grand Rapids, M.I.: Baker, 1992.
Peterson, Eugene. H., The Contemplative Pastor. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Willard, Dallas, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our Hidden Life in God. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1998
 

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