PC501 - Ministry Formation

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The biblical evidence relevant to ministry.
  2. Ministry call, formation and styles.
  3. Personal identity, security and pastoral roles in ministry.
  4. Community ethical standards.
  5. Selected approaches to ministry formation.

B. Be able to

  1. Analyse the biblical evidence relevant to ministry.
  2. Critique ministry formation and styles.
  3. Develop an approach to ministry.
  4. Maintain personal spiritual life and practise self care.
  5. Evaluate selected approaches to ministry formation.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Integrate perspectives from ministry formation with their other theological studies.
  2. Develop a pastoral identity and style in ministry.
  3. Observe community ethical standards in ministry contexts.

Content

  1. Introduction to ministry formation; review of students’ past and present ministry experience as a resource for ministry formation.
  2. Reflection upon biblical passages relevant to ministry call, style and pastoral perspectives such as Exodus 3:1–4:17; Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1–3; Mark 10:35–45; Acts 20:17–35; 2 Corinthians 4–5; Ephesians 4:1–16; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; 1 Peter 5:1–11.
  3. A brief historical overview of pastoral roles in Christian ministry.
  4. Vocation and guidance in the Christian life. The relation between individual and corporate Christian ministries.
  5. Personal security and identity; integrity; identifying strengths, limitations and uniqueness; developing a personable style; ministerial codes of ethics.
  6. The search for a pastoral identity: who/what is a pastor; identifying and negotiating expectations, including disparate expectations.
  7. Ministry formation issues in theological education: critical study of the Scriptures; theological education and spiritual growth.

Set Readings

Cohen, M., The Divided Self (London: Marshall Pickering, 1996).

Cullinan, A., Sorting it Out: Discerning God’s Call to Ministry (Valley Forge, PA: Judson, 1999).

Drescher, J., If I were Starting My Ministry Again (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Duce, P. and D. Strange, Keeping Your Balance (Leicester: Apollos, 2001).

Fraser, E., Confessions of a Beginning Theologian (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1998).

Hunt, R. A., et al, Clergy Assessment and Career Development (Nashville: Abingdon, 1990).

Kinast, R. L., Let Ministry Teach (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 1996).

Lewis, G. D., Meeting the Moment: Leadership and Well-being in Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

McGrath, A. E., Understanding Doctrine: Its Relevance and Purpose for Today (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990).

Messer, D., Contemporary Images of Christian Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon, 1989).

Peterson, E., Working the Angles (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991).

Schnase, R., Ambition in Ministry: Our Spiritual Struggle with Success, Achievement and Competition (Nashville: Abingdon, 1993).

Tidball, D., Builders and Fools (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1999).

Tovey, P., Growing in Ministry (UK: Grove, 2000).

Willimon, W., Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life (Nashville: Abingdon, 2003).