DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course to prepare students for the transition
into a new ministry, especially the transition from seminary to ministry.
Graduates regularly report that they were surprised by how unprepared they were
for the changes that take place when a student enters pastoral ministry. They
report that they assumed that being a pastor would be much like the ministry
they did while a student, especially when the student was engaged in full-time
ministry. This is not the case. There is a rather large (and often jarring)
transition. This course is designed to prepare students for the changes that
new ministry requires.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course will cover varied pastoral tasks. Students will
learn how to integrate knowing, being, and doing as they pursue the tasks of
preaching, teaching, counseling, spiritual formation, and leadership. And they
will learn how their understanding of these pastoral roles changes as they move
into new ministries. Specifically, the course will deal with the areas that
graduates have reported are common pitfalls such as role conflict, pastoral
identity, becoming a boss, boundaries, creativity, support networks,
friendships, and money.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course provides clear and specific opportunities
for students to bring their seminary education to bear on their aspirations for
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: Each class period will include lecture, discussion of course
readings, and extensive discussion of case studies. A key part of the learning
comes from students writing weekly reflection papers. The papers arrive via
email the day before class meets. The professor will covenant with the students
to have the papers graded with individualized comments by the time the class
meets. These comments ensure that each student receives weekly individual
attention and feedback from the professor. The course meets weekly for three
hours.
REQUIRED READING: