Ministry Foundations

A Core Unit for first-year students which will provide your with a biblical understanding of ministry, an opportunity to consider your ministry future, and basic skills in some key ministry areas.

Workload: One semester, 2 credit points, 18 contact hours.
Status: Ridley Core. ACT Type B Elective
Who: Rev. Dr. Tim Foster

Purpose
The key aims are to:

  • Help students at the start of their study to understand the nature of ministry and theological training;
  • think about the range of ministry vocations that may be open to them, how to discern their calling and the implications for their learning pathways;
  • gain some basic ministry skills that may be expected of a ministry trainee.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will:

  • Understand the nature and theological foundations of Christian ministry and the nature of theological training;
  • understand the range of ordained and lay vocations, how to discern their calling and how to shape their training pathway accordingly;
  • Be competent to undertake specific aspects of ministry.

Unit Outline
Section A: (30%)

1.  Biblical perspectives on the nature of ministry, ministry roles, gifts and calling.

2.  Overview of types of ministry, including lay, ordained, voluntary etc. and introduction to theological foundations of these distinctions
3.  Nature and purpose of theological training, relationship of fieldwork to classroom, how to maximise the training and formational opportunity.

Section B (70%)

4. Basic principles, knowledge and skills required in 3-6 specific aspects of Christian ministry such as: 

  • Public Bible reading
  • Public prayer
  • Small group leadership
  • Introductory service leading
  • Basic communication principles

Assessment
Assignment (60%)
Following a discussion with at least two people, one being a minister, and your own reading and reflection, outline your understanding of Christian ministry, describe your gifts and passions, possible future directions and how you can best prepare for those directions.

Based on the foregoing, develop a training plan for the next 3-5 years. It should include your course plan, ministries or formal placements, mentoring and other aspects of your preparation.

(BMin/BTh: 2,000. MDiv: 2,500 words)

Field Work (40%)
Undertake one of the ministry tasks studied in class under supervision. Using the form provided have the supervisor evaluate your ministry.

Recommended Texts
Nature of Ministry
Dawn, Marva and Eugene Petersen, The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000
Ogden, Thomas C, Pastoral Theology: Essential of Ministry, San Francisco: Harper, 1983
Willimon, William, Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.

Ministry Skills
McLean, M. and Warren Bird. Unleashing the Word : rediscovering the public reading of Scripture. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
Olyott, Stuart. Reading the Bible and praying in public. Edinburgh : Banner of Truth Trust, 2008.
Warne, Clifford, How to Read the Bible Aloud. Sydney: AIO Press, 1979
Packer, J. I. Praying the Lord's Prayer. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007.
Pritchard, John, Intercessions Handbook - Creative Ideas for Public and Private Prayer. SPCK Publishing, 2005.
Mallison, John. The small-group leader: a manual to develop vital small groups. Adelaide : Openbook Publishers, 1996.
Marshall, Colin. Growth groups : a training course in how to lead small groups. Kingsford: Matthias Media, 1995.
Morris, Karen. and Rod Morris. Leading better Bible studies: essential skills for effective small groups. Sydney: Aquila Press, 1997.
Harvard Business School, Running meetings: expert solutions to everyday challenges. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2006.
Keenan Kate and Anne Taute The management guide to running meetings Ravette, 1996.
Egeler, Daniel Mentoring millennials: shaping the next hero generation. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2003.
Hassall, Ruth. Growing young leaders: a practical guide to mentoring teens. Abingdon: Bible Reading Fellowship, 2009.