DESCRIPTION: This course (offered pass/fail for 2 units) is the required
nine-month church internship designed to give students supervised and evaluated
experience in pastoral ministry in the local church.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is designed to provide a means
for students to increase their skills and experience in pastoral ministry, as
well as to meet the requirements that many denominations have for a candidate's
ministry preparation. This course also helps prepare students for ministry by
providing a context in which spiritual, theological, and ministry formation can
occur.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) grow in their ability to engage in
theological reflection by having regular opportunities to think critically
about ministry in light of the Christian tradition; (2) deepen their
understanding of the cultural context of ministry by immersing themselves in a
specific context and regularly reflecting with their supervisor on the
connection between context and ministry; (3) develop toward becoming
spiritually mature and accountable practitioners by reflecting with their peers
in a theological reflection group and with their supervisor in their internship
on the connection between their faith and their ministry; (4) become better
Christian leaders by having many opportunities to practice the responsibilities
of ministry throughout their internship.
COURSE FORMAT: The course has three primary components: ministry practice,
supervision, and theological reflection. The student spends at least 10 hours
each week for three academic quarters in the local church involved in specific
ministry assignments agreed upon by the supervisor and student, and approved by
the Field Education and Ministry Formation (FEMF) Office. One hour each week is
to be spent in reflection with the approved on-site supervisor. The agenda
should address (a) professional direction, evaluation, and oversight of
the student's ministry; (b) theological reflection and discussion of
topics related to ministry as identified by the student and supervisor;
(c) mentoring, support, spiritual formation, and prayer. Students
will meet during the second quarter (FE501B) in a Theological Reflection Group,
led by a faculty member or experienced pastor. These groups meet for a total of
sixteen hours. Each student participant will write and present one case study
and spiritual reflection from his or her internship experience. In addition,
the student will have opportunities for spiritual formation through practice of
individual spiritual disciplines throughout the course.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: