Introduction to Ministry and Mission Studies (DA8004S)

Content

This unit provides a broad introduction to key aspects of mission and ministry. The unit investigates the following aspects: leadership, supervision, community, spiritual health, team dynamics, conflict and skill management. Students will learn methods of critical reflection, particularly with regard to theological and ministry dimensions of vocation and context.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

This is a foundational unit of study 

Pedagogy

Rotating lecture input, group discussion, class plenary and further responses. Integration and reflection between practice and theory will be a major theme.

Indicative Bibliography

• Bessenecker, Scott A. Living Mission: The Vision and Voices of New Friars. Downers Grover: IVP, 2010.
• Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: Prayerbook of the Bible. Translated by John W. Doberstein. London: SCM Press, 1954.
• Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2011.
• Dawn, Marva and Peterson, Eugene. The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
• Keller, Timothy. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. New York: Dutton, 2012.
• Palmer, Parker J Let your life speak: Listening to the voice of Vocation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
• Schwehn, Mark R. and Bass, Dorothy C. (Editors) Leading Lives That Matter. What We Should Do and Who We Should Be. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2006.
• Sider, Ronald J. and Philip Olson. Churches that Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2002.
• Sparks, Paul, Tim Soerens, and Dwight J. Friesen. The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Are Transforming Mission, Discipleship and Community. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2014.
• Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.

Assessment