DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to identify and develop the central themes related to the practice of ministry. As a course in Practical Theology, it will connect Christian spirituality with the work of leadership, including special attention to developing the character and skills a person needs for this vocation. Students will be exposed to various Christian spiritual traditions. The principal objective is to help the students refocus their calling and their relationship with God according to a mature perspective on ministry.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students already in ministry need to take time to reflect on their call, on their self-understanding and its relationship to effective ministry, and on spiritual formation as the foundation for ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: In this class students will

1. develop a deepened and renewed understanding of the nature of ministry to help them rediscover their personal dimension of ministry, vision, and motivation;

2. gain greater conceptual clarity concerning practical theology as a method that serves ministry praxis by observing and describing experiences; integrating various disciplines including classical theologies (biblical studies, philosophical theology, church history, etc.), socio-cultural resources, personal and communal spiritualities; and pursuing the work of shaping and evaluating ministry activities;

3. participate in a formational small group that seeks to actualize in their own experience the spiritual practices or disciplines that emerge from the course as well as reflect on the content of the course;

4. develop a deepened and renewed relationship with God as the foundation for their ministry.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Vida en comunidad. Ediciones Sígueme, 1985. ISBN: 978-8430108930; $17.00.

Conde-Frazier, Escuchemos a los niños/Listen to the Children. Judson, 2011. ISBN: 978-0817016616; $13.99.

Segura, Harold. Más allá de la Utopía: Liderazgo de Servicio y Espiritualidad Cristiana. Kairos, 2005. ISBN: 9879403800; $10.00.

Course reader, including readings on Christian ministry and also the book of Robert Clinton, La hechura de un líder (private translation).

Choose only one:

Boff, Leonardo. El águila y la gallina: Una metáfora de la condición humana. Buenos Aires, Bonum, 2004. ISBN: 978-8481642773; $24.75.

Gutiérrez, Gustavo. Beber en su Propio Pozo. Sígueme, 1998. ISBN: 8430109420; 978-8430109425; $20.00.

Nouwen, Henri. In the Name of Jesus: Reflection on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1998. ISBN: 978-0824512590; $15.00.

Choose only one:

Foster, Richard. Alabanza a la disciplina. Betania, 1986. ISBN: 978-1597523523. $24.00.

Willard, Dallas. Renueva tu Corazón: Sé como Cristo. Clie, 2004. ISBN: 8482674161. $15.00.

Nouwen, Henri. La Compasión en la Vida Cotidiana. Lumen, 1996. ISBN: 9507245472. $20.00.

García-Johnson, Oscar. ¡Jesús, hazme como tú! 40 maneras de imitar a Cristo. Kerigma, 2010. ISBN: 0976734141; $10.00.

Driver, Juan. Convivencia radical espiritualidad para el siglo 21. Kairós, 2007. ISBN: 987135505X; 978-9871355051; $13.50.

McDonald, Gordon. Ponga orden su mundo interior. Editorial Caribe, n.d. ISBN: 9780881132465; $8.99.

1. Regular attendance and participation in all aspects of the course (10%).

2. Reflection paper: The Meaning of the Call to Ministry Today (2-3 pages) (5%).

3. Reflection papers on three of the books in the bibliography (1-2 pages each) (15%).

4. Practical theology paper: personal response to a ministry/life situation where theological competence, spiritual discernment, and the praxis of servant leadership is exercised (5-6 pages) (20%).

5. Participation in the spiritual retreat and reflection on the experience (3-5 pages) (20%).

6. Participate in a small group and maintain a spiritual journal (30%).