Winter 2006/Pasadena
PM503
Bridger
PM503: PASTORAL THEOLOGY. Francis Bridger.
DESCRIPTION: The nature of pastoral ministry requires theologically reflective
practitioners, not merely ministerial technicians. Consequently, in this course
students will explore pastoral ministry from the integrating perspective
provided by the discipline of practical theology in which knowledge,
skills, and reflectivity are brought together. Topics to be covered will
include:
- the pastoral God;
- the theology of ministry (call, ordination, gift, and role);
- the nature of the church;
- the pastor as practical and contextual theologian;
- the role of worship in the life of the church, with particular reference to
weddings and funerals;
- ministry of word and sacrament;
- liberating the laity;
- spirituality and pastoral care;
- pastoral care and mission;
- power and authority in ministry.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course, students will
have (a) gained an appreciation of pastoral calling; (b) developed an
understanding of practical theology methods as tools for ministry; (c)
critically examined their own presuppositions; (d) begun to develop or enhance
their range of pastoral skills; (e) sharpened their abilities as reflective
pastoral practitioners.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This is a core course in the Ministry Division and is
recommended for students who are pursuing a call to become a pastor or staff
member in a local congregation. Its purpose is to enable students to make
transformative connections between theology and ministerial practice and
thereby to equip themselves better for the demands of pastoral ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly over ten weeks for
three-and-a-half-hour sessions. Classroom learning activities will include
lectures, group discussion, case studies, and analyses of assigned reading.
There will be a considerable emphasis on interactive learning.
REQUIRED READING:
- Anderson, Ray, S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering
Ministry with Theological Praxis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
2001.
- Fiddes, Paul, S. Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the
Trinity. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.
- Graham, Elaine, Transforming Practice: Pastoral Theology in an Age of
Uncertainty. London & New York: Mowbrays, 1996.
- Guder, Darrell, L., ed. The Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending
of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
- Oden, Thomas. Pastoral Theology. San Francisco: Harper & Row,
1982.
- Tidball, Derek, J. Skilful Shepherds: An Introduction to Pastoral
Theology. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986/2003.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance at all classes and completion of all assigned readings and
tasks.
- One written wedding or funeral sermon (25%).
- One theological reflection on a pastoral case study (25%).
- One 10-15 page research project due March 15 (50%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry
and Theology (MIN 6) or the requirement in Ministry Foundations (MIN F) for
other master's degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Final project due following the end of the course.