DESCRIPTION: This course (offered pass/fail for 4 units) is designed to provide practical experience for students who are taking the MA in Theology and Ministry (MATM) or the MA in Christian Leadership (MACL). Students will focus on reflecting theologically on their ministry, gaining an understanding of the cultural context of the ministry, growing in personal faith, and gaining expertise in the design, implementation, and assessment of a project in their ministry.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course offers students the opportunity to engage in ministry in particular contexts and to learn the art of reflection that will be crucial to any ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) grow in their ability to engage in theological reflection by having regular opportunities to think critically about their ministry in light of the broader 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 that context and the chosen ministry project; (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 practicum on the connection between their faith and their ministry; (4) become better Christian leaders by having the opportunity to develop, implement, and assess the chosen ministry project.

COURSE FORMAT: The course has three primary components: practical ministry, supervision, and theological reflection. The student will spend 120 hours participating in those three components. The student spends at least 10 hours each week for ten weeks in the ministry responsibilities of the specific project 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 with the approved on-site supervisor. The agenda should address (a) oversight and evaluation 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. The student will have opportunities for spiritual formation through practice of individual spiritual disciplines and will participate in communally shared spiritual practice forums offered throughout the course. The student will participate in a theological reflection group for a total of ten hours during the quarter, with peers and a group facilitator.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Participation in a Field Education Orientation, "Introduction to Theological Reflection," during the first week of the quarter and a response uploaded on Moodle.

2. Completion of a Learning Agreement by the supervisor and the student to be uploaded on Moodle by the end of the first week of the quarter. The Learning Agreement will include the details of the student project.

3. Participation in a theological reflection group for a total of 10 hours during the quarter, including completion of a written case study to be uploaded on Moodle by the end of the fourth week of the quarter.

4. Participation in spiritual practice forums. 

5. Meeting during the fourth week of the quarter with a Field Education Advisor for a progress report on the practicum.

6. Completion of the student project and the final evaluations by the supervisor and student to be uploaded on Moodle by the end of the tenth week of the quarter.

Evaluation is based on completion of the terms of the practicum as specified in the individual Learning Agreement and on-time, satisfactory completion of assignments and evaluations.