Fall 2018/Online

PM504

Buxton

PM504: PASTORAL MINISTRY (4 Units: 163 hours). Graham Buxton.

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DESCRIPTION: PM504 focuses on the theological frameworks, skills and personal development necessary for a student to engage in various aspects of pastoral ministry. This is not a course in pastoral counseling. The course prepares students to participate in the work of worship, equipping, discipleship, care and witness in congregational contexts and broader contexts (e.g. nonprofit organizations).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: After successful completion of this course, students will be able to (1) describe pastoral ministry in the context of congregational life; (2) demonstrate basic active listening skills; (3) reflect upon the practice of self-care and develop a plan for self-development; (4) demonstrate skills for theological reflection on the praxis of pastoral ministry; and (5) will have completed an approved online course in mandated reporting.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. 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. The class will include lectures, and small group discussions. Appropriate faculty members will provide short video segments along with related reading content for certain aspects of the course. Each of these modules include (a) a video portion where the professor discusses the key issues, (b) a set of readings that covers the psychological issues, the pastoral issues, and the theological issues, and (c) a case study to which students respond.

REQUIRED READING: ~1250 pages (1064 pages from the required reading section and ~225 pages from the supplemental and recommended reading section)

Read all:

Buxton, Graham.Dancing in the Dark: The Privilege of Participating in God’s Ministry in the World. Wipf & Stock, 2016. ISBN: 978-1498221160, Pub. Price $39.00 [~300 pp.].

DeGroat, Chuck. Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult People in Your Life. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802871435, Pub. Price $14.00 [183 pp.].

Lartey, Emmanuel Y. Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World. Wipf & Stock, 2013. ISBN: 978-1620329733, Pub Price $22.00 [174 pp.].

Scheib, Karen D. Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of our Lives. Abingdon, 2016. ISBN: 978-1426766473, Pub. Price $35.99 [232 pp.].

And required Text for Weekly Spiritual Formation Reflection throughout the Quarter:

Benner, David G. Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human. Brazos Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1587432972, Pub. Price $20.00 [~175 pp.].

SUPPLEMENTAL READING:

Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering Ministry with Theological Praxis. IVP Academic, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815593, Pub. Price $27.00 [342 pp.].

Barnes, Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802829627, Pub. Price $22.00 [154 pp.].

Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint. Jericho Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-1455527076, Pub. Price $16.00 [224 pp.].

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. HarperOne, 2009. ISBN: 978-0060608521, Pub. Price $14.00 [122 pp.].

Daniel, Lillian and Martin B Copenhaver. This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802864758, Pub. Price $18.00 [254 pp.].

Dinesen, Isak (Karen Blixen). Babette’s Feast and Other Stories. Penguin Classics, 2015. ISBN: 978-0141393766, Pub. Price $20.00 [244 pp. – Babette’s Feast is 48 pp.].

Lee, Cameron and Kurt Fredrickson.That Their Work Will Be a Joy: Understanding and Coping with the Challenges of Pastoral Ministry. Wipf & Stock, 2012. ISBN: 978-1608997626, Pub. Price $31.00 [2787 pp.].

Fiddes, Paul S.Participating in God: A Pastoral Doctrine of the Trinity. Darton Longman & Todd, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664223359, Pub. Price $30.00 [312 pp.].

Leach, Tara Beth. Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry. IVP Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-0830845248, Pub. Price $16.00 [200 pp.].

McHugh, Adam S. The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction. IVP, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830844128, Pub. Price $16.00 [222 pp.].

Montilla, R. Esteban.Pastoral Care And Counseling With Latino/as. Fortress Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0800638207, Pub. Price $16.00 [164 pp.]

Nouwen, Henri. Wounded Healer. Image Books, 1979. ISBN: 978-0385148030, Pub. Price $14.00 [100 pp.].

Oden, Thomas C.Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. Harper & Row, 1983. ISBN: 978-0060663537, Pub. Price $25.99 [368 pp.].

Peterson, Eugene.Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 978-0802802651, Pub. Price $20.00 [192 pp.].

———. The Pastor: A Memoir. HarperOne, 2011. ISBN: 978-0061988219, Pub. Price $17.00 [317 pp.].

Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead: A Novel. Picador, 2006. ISBN: 978-0312424404, Pub. Price $16.00 [247 pp].

Scazzero, Peter. The Emotionally Healthy Church: A Strategy for Discipleship That Actually Changes Lives. Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 978-0310293354, Pub. Price $18.99 [234 pp.].

Seamands, Stephen.Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service. InterVarsity, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830833382, Pub. Price $17.00 [189 pp.].

Simpson, Amy. Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission. IVP Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830843046, Pub. Price $17.00 [222 pp.].

Volf, Miroslav.Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687002825, Pub. Price $28.99 [336 pp.].

Willimon, William. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1501804908, Pub. Price $29.99 [392 pp.].

Wimberly, Edward P. African American Pastoral Care: Revised Edition. Abingdon, 2008. ISBN: 978-0687649495, Pub. Price $18.99 [151 pp.].

Yarhouse, Mark, Richard E. Butman and Barrett W McRay. Modern Psychopathologies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal. IVP Academics, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830827701, Pub. Price $38.00 [457 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bolsinger, Tod. Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. IVP, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830841264, Pub. Price $18.00 [250 pages].

Burns, Bob. Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving. IVP Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830841035, Pub. Price $18.00 [313 pp.].

Clinton Tim, and Jared Pingleton. The Struggle Is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church. WestBow Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1512792997, Pub. Price $27.95 [432 pp.].

Doehring, Carrie. Pastoral Care: A Postmodern Approach. Westminster John Knox, 2015. ISBN: 978-0664238407, Pub. Price $30.00. [254 pp.]

Galindo, Israel. The Hidden Lives of Congregations: Discerning Church Dynamics. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2004. ISBN: 978-1566993074, Pub. Price $22.00 [240 pp.].

Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner. The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations. Jossey-Bass, 2017. ISBN: 978-1119278962, Pub. Price $35.00 [400 pp.].

Lee, Cameron and James L. Furrow. Preparing Couples for Love and Marriage: A Pastor’s Resource. Abingdon Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1426753206, Pub. Price $17.99 [160 pp.].

Neuhaus, Richard John. Freedom for Ministry. Revised ed. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802806222, Pub. Price $27.50 [271 pp.].

Rah, Soong-Chan. Prophetic Lament: A Call to Justice in Troubled Times. InterVarsity Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830836949, Pub. Price $17.00 [224 pp.].

Ramsay, Nancy J., ed. Pastoral Care and Counseling: Redefining the Paradigms. Abingdon, 2004. ISBN: 978-0687022243, Pub Price $27.99 [256 pp.].

Rohrer, David. The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry: Preparing a People for the Presence of the Lord. IVP Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830838240, Pub. Price $16.00 [180 pp.]

Root, Andrew. Faith Formation in a Secular Age: Volume 1 (Ministry in a Secular Age): Responding to the Church's Obsession with Youthfulness. Baker, 2017. ISBN: 978-0801098468, Pub Price $22.99 [240 pp.].

Steinke, Peter. How your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 978-1566993296, Pub. Price $21.00 [146 pp.].

Weborg, John. Made Healthy in Ministry for Ministry. Wipf & Stock, 2011. ISBN: 978-1608998630, Pub. Price $19.00 [134 pp.].

Wilde, Caleb. Confessions of a Funeral Director: How the Business of Death Saved My Life. HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN: 978-0062465245, Pub. Price $25.99 [208 pp.].

Willimon, William. Worship as Pastoral Care. Abingdon Press, 1982. ISBN: 978-0687463886, Pub. Price $25.99 [240 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Engage the course weekly online, including weekly forum postings (Canvas forum activities represent 15% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2, #3 and #4] [40 hours].
2. Write a 1000-word autobiographical paper that connects the student’s upbringing with their practice of pastoral ministry. This paper will also include a section on practices for self-care. (15% of the grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #3 and #4] [8 hours].
3. Write a 750-word report on an interview with a pastor related to matters of call and congregational care. (10% of the grade) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #3 and #4] [4 hours].
4. Write a 2,500-word paper (30% of the grade). Students will write a theologically reflective essay responding to a case, its context, and options for pastoral praxis. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #3, and #4] [30 hours].
5. Engage in spiritual formation reflections and practices throughout the quarter, and submit a 1000-word spiritual formation paper based upon the required text (15% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 and #3] [10 hours].
6. Complete the online trainings for mandated reporting (5% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #5] [5 hours].
7. Complete 1250 pages of reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #3 and #4] [62 hours].
8. Write a 500-600 word paper developing an outline for a wedding or a funeral, and offering a theology of that service as it relates to the practice of ministry (10% of the grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [2 hours].
9. Complete a reflective exercise in personal listening skills. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [2 hours].

PREREQUISITES: IS500 and IS502 are highly recommended but not required.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the PM requirement in the 120 MDiv Program (2017). Option to meet the PC requirement in the 120 MDiv Program (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.