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: