Fall 2008/Pasadena
DP510
D. Brown

DP510: THE THEOLOGY AND PRACTICES OF MINISTRY IN THE FREE CHURCH TRADITION.
David M. Brown.

DESCRIPTION: This practical ministry course will offer a free-church (or baptistic) approach to the pastoral role. We will explore biblical and theological roots of pastoral ministry, but our primary focus will be on the practices of ministry, such as pastoral leadership, designing and leading worship, baptism and the Lord's Supper, preparing for weddings and funerals, and managing baby dedications and church membership classes. Topics will include a host of practical pastoral ministry "ingredients," like time management, leadership styles, reading Scripture and praying in public, working with typical Board structures, when to report abusive situations, understanding church finances, empowering the laity for ministry, how to teach personal evangelism, and developing discipling strategies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will better understand (1) the role of the pastor, (2) biblical and theological foundations for ministry in the Baptist and/or free church context, (3) the relationship between pastoral and lay leadership as typically practiced in Baptist communities, (4) methods of building up and empowering laity, (5) teaching evangelism and church membership classes, and (6) practical competencies in worship design and leadership, baptizing believers, administering the Lord's Supper, performing baby dedications, weddings, and funerals.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course will provide information and hands-on experience that will better prepare the student for ministry in a Baptist or free-church context. In some cases, this course will be required for ordination.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice a week for two hours and will include short lectures, group discussion, and exercises that will explore practices of pastoral leadership and ministry. Students will be expected to have pre-read assigned texts that will prepare them for in-class discussions. One class session will be held in a neighboring church for baptism practice.

REQUIRED READING:

: Best-Boss, A. Surviving Your First Year As Pastor: What Seminary Couldn't Teach You. Judson, 1999.; Bierly, S. R. How to Thrive as a Small-Church Pastor. Zondervan, 1998.; Daman, G. C. Leading the Small Church: How to Develop a Transformational Ministry. Kregel, 2006.; Fisher, D. The 21st Century Pastor. Zondervan, 1996.; Gibbs, E. LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture. InterVarsity Press, 2005.; Lehman, V. D. The Work of the Pastor. Judson, 2004.; Tibbetts, O. The Minister's Handbook. Judson, 1986.

RECOMMENDED READING: A recommended list will be available in syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be expected to attend class sessions, pre-read assigned texts, and participate in discussions and exercises. Those who satisfactorily complete the course will have: (1) Prepared an introductory meditation, with procedural guidelines, for the following public worship experiences (each worth 5%): (a) a baptism; (b) a generic funeral service; (c) a baby dedication; (d) the Lord's Supper. (2) Prepared an outline and/or procedure for the following church courses (each worth 5%): (a) an introduction to the Christian life; (b) a new members' or baptism class. (3) Prepared a 2-page exegesis on a local church (5%). (4) Written a 2-page book report on Bierly, Daman, Fisher, Gibbs, and Lehman (10% each). (5) Written a 8-10 page final project paper on one of the following subjects (15%): (a) the role of the pastor in relationship to church governing structures and lay leadership; (b) a researched response to any theoretical or biblical issue presented in class; (c) a case study on how your pastor managed or didn't manage a conflict situation; (d) another subject pertaining to pastoral ministry approved by the instructor.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (9/08)