Content

The spiritual environment of Christian ministry and personal level of resources influence personal wellbeing and professional effectiveness. In this unit, participants will: engage current research on the causes of ministry burnout; be introduced to the patterns and indicators of ‘at risk’ practice; explore ways of integrating healthy practices for sustainable ministry. A core focus upon healthy personal, spiritual practices will engage different models in ways that respect cultural and theological diversity.

Unit code: DA9017S

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Mission and Ministry

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe and illustrate contextually the symptoms, patterns and causes of ministry burnout.

2.

Articulate the practices and boundaries required for a healthy personal life amid the demands of ministry.

3.

Articulate the challenges of spiritual and inter-personal dynamics in the ministry environment.

4.

Describe variety of spiritual practices and identify those appropriate both to themselves and to the context of their ministry.

5.

Theologically reflect on case-studies in leadership settings and integrate the learning within their context.

Unit sequence

At least two years leadership experience.

Pedagogy

lectures, seminars, tutorials and an overnight retreat

Indicative Bibliography

  • Barton, R.H. Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2006.
  • Benner, D.G.* Desiring God’s Will: Aligning our Hearts with the Heart of God*. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2005.
  • Blackerby, H. & R. Blackerby. Spiritual Leadership: Moving People onto God’s Agenda. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2011.
  • Foster, R.J. Celebration of Discipline. New York: Harper San Francisco, 1978.
  • Greenman, J.P.* Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Perspective*. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2010.
  • Roberts, R.C. Emotions: An Essay in Aid of Moral Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
  • Roberts, R.C.Spirituality and Human Emotion. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1983.
  • Sailers, D.E. The Soul in Paraphrase: Prayer and Religious Affections. New York: Seabury Press, 1980.
  • Smith, J.K.A. You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit. Grand Rapids: Michigan: Brazos Press, 2016.
  • Willard, D. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. New York: Harper Collins, 1988.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay (3000 words)

3000 50.0
Book Review

Book Review (1500 words)

1500 25.0
Report

Interview and report (1500 words)

1500 25.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-31 18:04:39 +1100