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.

Unit code: DP9160S

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Identify and illustrate the complexities of presenting cases in their ministries

2.

Demonstrate the use of case study methodology in theological reflection and leadership

3.

Evaluate a range of personal and institutional issues in ministry formation and practice

4.

Theologically, pastorally and personally reflect on a pastoral response to selected case studies

5.

Exhibit a growing awareness and integration of current research with regard to themes explored in case studies presented.

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 48 points in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. Students who enrol in this unit must enrol in Part A (DP9160S) in first semester and Part B (DP9260S) in second semester. 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, Bob, Tasha Chapman & Donald Guthrie Resilient Ministry: What pastors told us about surviving and thriving. Dowers Grove, Il: IVP, 2013
  • Cameron, Heather, John Reader, Victoria Slater, Christopher Rowland. Theological Reflection for Human Flourishing. London: SCM, 2012
  • Floding, M. Welcome to Theological Field Education. Herndon, Virginia: Alban, 2011
  • Graham, Elaine, Heather Walton, Frances Ward. Theological reflection: Methods. London: SCM Press, 2005
  • Kinast, Robert 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, Kenneth L. Facing messy stuff in the church: Case studies for pastors and congregations. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel, 2005

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

2000 word essay

2000 40.0
Essay

Completion of evaluation protocols, effective engagement and reflection with supervisors and peers (equivalent 1000 words).

1000 20.0
Case Study

1500 word case study

1500 20.0
Case Study

1500 word case study

1500 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2018

Unit record last updated: 2019-06-24 14:28:55 +1000