PC642 - Congregational Field Education

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Corequisites

Colleges may require PC501 or PC537 as a co-requisite.

Exclusions

Candidates may take two only of units PC642-644 and DM642.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. Practical issues Related to congregational leadership and management.
  2. Church administration.
  3. The role of the minister.
  4. Selected approaches to congregational leadership and management.

B. Be able to

  1. Discuss the issues Related to congregational leadership and management.
  2. Analyse the operations of church management.
  3. Under supervision, participate in a local congregation and Observe leadership and management.
  4. Assess the leadership and management of a congregation as Observed.
  5. Evaluate selected approaches to congregational leadership and management.

C. Be in a position to

  1. Integrate perspectives from their other theological studies with an approach to congregational leadership and management.
  2. Become a reflective practitioner in congregational leadership and management.

Content

Section A:  Theoretical Study

1. An introduction to the planning and conduct of church services and other programmes connected with the life and work of a local congregation, and the pastoral opportunities they represent.

2. A basic study of church administration, including the role of ordained ministers, church secretary, treasurer and other leaders; church organisations; the conduct of business meetings.

3. Ministers as pro-active leaders and managers; strategy and goal-setting; appropriate leadership styles for different situations; anticipating and managing conflict.

4. Ministers as agents of social change; the local church in the local community.

Section B:  Field Work

5. The supervisory relationship; the supervisory session; learning covenants; evaluation; Field Committees.

EITHER

not less than 160 hours’ experience (with supervision) in a local congregation.

OR

a period of continuous residence (with supervision) of not less than six weeks’ duration in a local congregation.

In either case,

  • Approximately 117 hours are to be spent in actual ministry, including preparation for and participation in the conduct of regular church services, and involvement in some aspect of the congregation’s service to its community;
  • Approximately 17hrs are to be spent in reflection and the writing of reports and verbatims for supervisors. Such reflection must include comments from local congregation leaders;
  • Approximately 13 hours are to be spent in theoretical study;
  • Approximately 13 hours are to be spent meeting with an approved supervisor on an individual basis.

Set Readings

Prescribed

Bass, D. C. (ed.), For Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education, and Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2008).

Johnson, A., Shaping Spiritual Leaders: Supervision and Formation in Congregations (Herndon, VA: Alan, 2007).

Malphurs, A., A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2007).

Recommended

Allen, R. J., Preaching and Practical Ministry (St. Louis: Chalice, 2001).

Brian, P. R., Going the Distance: How to Stay Fit for a Lifetime of Ministry (Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2006).

Carl, W. J. (ed.), Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry from 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009).

Carroll, J. W., God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2006).

Drane, J. W., After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2008).

Elias, J. W., Remembering the Future: The Pastoral Theology of Paul the Apostle (Scottsdale, PA: Herald, 2006).

Herrington, J., R. R. Creech and T. Taylor, The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2003).

Hillman, G. M,. Preparing for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Theological Field Education (Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel, 2008).

Hotchkiss, D., Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008).

Laniak, T. S., Shepherds after my Heart: Pastoral Traditions and Leadership in the Bible (Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 2006).

Piper, J., Brothers, We are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2002).

Steinke, P. L., Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Steinke, P. L., Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Stott, J. R. W., The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (Nottingham: IVP, 2007).

Tidball, D. J., Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership (Nottingham: Apollos, 2008).

Thompson, J., Pastoral Ministry According to Paul: A Biblical Vision (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2006).

Willimon, W. H., Calling and Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Willimon, W. H., Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Wood, C. M., Attentive to God: Thinking Theologically about Ministry (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2008).