Summer 2014/Fuller Online

PM503

Burton

PM503: PASTORAL THEOLOGY (4 Units: 120 hours). Bryan D. Burton.

DESCRIPTION: This course integrates multiple perspectives on the calling to ordained ministry as it is lived out in a congregation. It supplements on a practical level the required courses in the ministry division for the student who envisions a pastoral vocation, which is treated as an apostolic calling to ministry of Word, sacrament and church order in a missional church community.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) To gain understanding concerning the centrality of worship in congregational life and mission; (2) to become more committed to participating in congregational life, worship, and mission; (3) to have a better understanding of the tasks of pastoral leadership; (4) to gain skills related to the work of a pastor; and (5) to perceive more clearly my own gifts and calling in relationship to pastoral ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING:

Bernanos, Georges. The Diary of a Country Priest. DeCapo Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0786709618, Pub. Price $15.95 [304 pp.].

Cormode, Scott. Making Spiritual Sense. Wipf&Stock, 2013. ISBN: 978-1620328019, Pub. Price $18.00.

[160 pp.].

Neuhaus, Richard John. Freedom for Ministry. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802806222, Pub. Price $26.00 [258 pp.].

Nouwen, Henri. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1993. ISBN: 978-0824512590, Pub. Price $14.95 [120 pp.].

Peterson, Eugene. Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802808486, Pub. Price $20.00 [206 pp.].

Rohrer, David. The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry: Preparing a People for the Presence of the Lord. InterVarsity, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830838240, Pub. Price $15.00 [180 pp.].

Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687045327, Pub. Price $29.00 [392 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Anderson, Ray. Theological Foundations for Ministry. T&T Clark. 1999. ISBN: 978-0802817761, Pub. Price not available. ***OUT OF PRINT.

Baxter, Richard. The Reformed Pastor (17th century classic with various editions).

Guder, Darrell. The Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 978-0802843500, Pub. Price $29.00.

Oden, Thomas. Pastoral Theology. Harper & Row, 1983. ISBN: 978-0060663537, Pub. Price $25.99.

Purves, Andrew. Reconstructing Pastoral Theology. WJK, 2004. ISBN: 978-0664227333Pub. Price $30.00.

Willimon, William H. Pastor:A Reader for Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687097883, Pub. Price $28.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,250 pages of required reading. [60 hours].

2. Participation in Course Activities including online sessions. You will post a 2-paragraph reflection on 3 of the course-required texts in which you will offer your guided reflections on the named texts and offer a response to two of your classmate’s posts (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3 and #4] [20 hours].

3. You will also post an example of a Planned Worship Service Bulletin (with brief bullet point explanations of each part of the service) that is faithful to your tradition and of which you are the pastor. It should include every aspect of the liturgy (prayers, hymns/songs selected, sermon, biblical texts, etc.). It should be presented in a “bulletin” ready format. You will then offer a response to one of your classmate’s services (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, and #3] [10 hours].

4. You will interview someone who is a practicing pastor (someone you respect) as to their sense of call, challenges, opportunities, joys, trials, etc. to get a deeper insight into the realities of being a “pastor” in today’s church. You will submit a 500 words report on what you discovered through the Interview (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 and #4] [10 hours].

5. 2,500 words Final Project Paper will be a presentation of your personal vision and theology of pastoral ministry, including historical, theological and ecclesiological dynamics and ministry principles. Make sure to address the issue of calling. Engage some of the traditional and emerging understandings of pastoral ministry found in the readings and online class encounters. (55%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #5] [20 hours].

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:None.