Exploring Ministry Through Case Studies (Part A) (DP2160S)

Content

This unit will present case studies from a variety of ministry placement settings in which students are engaged. Through experiential methodology students will identify issues, explore a variety of responses, and engage in critical reflection on the theological and pastoral dimensions of each case. A variety of contextual and pastoral topics will be explored – with the focus being on practical leadership skills such as: leadership and personality, leadership for change, managing boundaries and addressing conflict.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Students should normally have completed two years of full time theological studies or equivalent (including Foundational Studies in BH, BN, CT and Field D). It is also a prerequisite that students have completed 36 points in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. Students who enrol in this unit must enrol in Part A (DP2/3160S) in first semester and Part B (DP2/3260S) in second semester. Students who have successfully completed Supervised Theological Field Education, must enrol at Third Level (DP3160S). Students are required to be engaged in a pastoral placement, approved by the Director of Supervised Field Education, for a minimum of sixteen hours per week for at least 16 weeks.

Pedagogy

Lecture input and case studies. Students are required to engage with a number of supervision protocols and evaluation tasks outside of class. These protocols and tasks provide a framework for reflection, input and learning in ministry which is the focus of this unit. Meetings with a supervisor and peers also provide a context for theological reflection on ministry.

Indicative Bibliography

• Brown, Judy, A Leaders Guide to Reflective Practice, Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing, 2008.
• Burns, B, Chapman, T & Guthrie, D, Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us about Surviving and Thriving, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2013.
• Cameron, Helen, Reader, John, Slater and Rowland, Chris, Theological Reflection for Human Flourishing: Pastoral Practice and Public Theology, London: SCM Press, 2012.
• Floding, M (Ed), Welcome to Theological Field Education. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2011.
• Kinast, R L Making faith-sense: Theological Reflection in everyday life. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1999
• Palmer, Parker J Let your life speak: Listening to the voice of Vocation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000
• Pattison, S. The challenge of practical theology: Selected essays, London: Jessica Kingsley, 2007.
• Paver, John E Theological Reflection and education for ministry: The search for integration in theology. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, 2006
• Swetland, K L Facing messy stuff in the church: Case studies for pastors and congregations. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel, 2005

Assessment