Spring 2008/Pasadena
PM543
Cormode

PM543: MINISTRY TRANSITION. Scott Cormode.


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:

Anderson, Ray. The Soul of Ministry: Forming Leaders for God's People. Westminster John Knox, 1997.

Cormode, Scott. Almond Springs Casebook, available as a series of episodes on the Internet at http://www.christianleaders.org.

Jeavons, Thomas, and Rebekah Basinger. Growing Givers' Hearts. Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Lischer, Richard. Open Secrets: A Memoir of Faith and Discovery. Doubleday, 2001.

Oswalt, Roy. Clergy Self-Care. Alban Institute, 1991.

Peterson, Eugene. Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Eerdmans, 1992.

Tisdale, Leonora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1997.

ASSIGNMENTS: There are two kinds of assignments: Weekly one-page papers will account for one-third of the course grade. The final project will count for the remainder. The final project will entail a detailed reflection on a case study or situation from ministry. Students will submit their reflections as a paper and they will present their reflections to the class.

PREREQUISITES: At least 96 quarter hours (the equivalent of two years of coursework).

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Ministry and Theology (MIN 6).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)