Pastoral Theology

Transcription

1 jjjj Pastoral Theology Fall Semester 2015 Tuesday, Friday: pm Instructor: Randall Holm Ph.D. Phone: (204) ext 312 Overview: An introductory course to pastoral ministry in which theology is integrated with the practice of pastoral care in the operation of a church. 3 credits Objectives: At the end of this course students will: Milestones: Reflection #1: Sept 18 th Reflection #2: October 20 th Biographies: Nov 10,13 th identify several ways race and gender impact pastoral ministry; articulate the role calling plays in vocational ministry Essay #1: November 27 th recognize and be able to negotiate between disparate conservative and liberal ideologies within a given church; unpack both the priestly and prophetic function Scripture serves within the Essay #2: December 11 th pastorate; have a clearer knowledge of what is expected of pastors in terms of spiritual responsibility and personal evaluation; integrate pastoral theology with pastoral care; identify several models of pastoral leadership and authority. ignite the imagination to possibilities inherent in Christian worship. work toward a philosophy of pastoral ministry integrate pastoral theology with salient issues of contemporary ministry develop critical habits to shape pastoral ministry and understand the contribution ritual plays in a healthy pastoral role. Texts: Lischer, Richard. Open Secrets, New York: Doubleday, Willimon, William. Pastor. Abingdon, Secondary Texts: Buechner, Frederick. A Memoir of the Lost and Found. Harper Collins, Bolz-Weber, Nadia. Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner Saint. Jericho Books, Elliot, Mark. Confessions of an Insignificant Pastor: What Pastors Wish They Could Tell You!. Create Space, Evans, Rachel Held. Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Find ing the Church. Nelson Books, Goldingay, John. Walk On: Life, Loss, Trust and other Realities. Baker Academic, 2002 Holden, Lynne. The Pastor has Gorgeous Legs: A Memoir Of an ordinary pastor on an extraordinary journey who met exceptional people. Author House Pub, Hunt, Allen. Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor: How I Discovered the Hidden Treasures of the Catholic Church, Beacon Publishing, Palmer, Jim, Being Jesus in Nashville: Finding the courage to Live your Life (Whoever and wherever You Are), iuniverse, Pastoral Theology 1

2 Taylor, Barbara Brown. Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith, HarperOne, Requirements: 1. Biographies: 20% Students will read two autobiographies. All students will read Richard Lischer s Open Secrets and each student must select a second autobiography from the list provided in the secondary text section. For each biography students will both summarize the key points learned by the author and highlight no less than 5 salient insights into church ministry that standout as they consider future ministry. These latter insights will be shared with the rest of the class on November 10,13 th which is also the due date for the written component. 2. Participation: 20% For the success of this course full attendance and participation in class is required. Students are allowed one unexcused absence to cover a legitimate absence. Each subsequent unexcused absence will result in the deduction of 5 marks for each half class. A total of 3 unexcused absences will result in an F grade. 3. Reflection #1: 5% Students will write a two-page auto reflection of their experience of church up until this point. Was it family requirement? Did you change churches often? Was it a positive or negative experience? If you could have changed one thing what would it be? What did you find that was helpful? 4. Reflection #2: 10% In four to five pages single spaced, explain and reflect on the formative liturgies/rituals of ultimacy that identify your current church. 5. Essay#1: 25% Write a 7 page double-spaced essay on one of the following themes: A. History of church governance. B. History of the Church and the Arts C. History of ordination in the church. D. History of infant baptism and/or dedication E. History of marriage in the church This is not a polemical essay and the student should not pick sides. The student should present the various options that have been taken in the best possible light. The purpose of this assignment is not to determine who is right and who is wrong, rather it is to identify the range of options that have been historically taken on these matters. Each paper must include a minimum of 7 sources in the bibliography. 6. Essay #2: 20% Pastoral Theology 2

3 In recent times the word postmodern has been bandied around in church circles. For some it is seen as a breath of fresh air and for others it is presented pejoratively as a dangerous force that can potentially do great harm to the church. In this essay students will evaluate the challenges faced by the church that is increasingly coming under the influence of postmodernity. Each paper will be approximately 6 pages double-spaced and include a minimum of 5 sources in the bibliography. Evaluation: Bibliographies 20% Participation 20% Reflection #1 5% Reflection #2 15% Essay #1 25% Essay #2 20% Grade Summary A A A B B B C C C D D D F less than 50% Pastoral Theology 3

4 Outline: 1. What is Pastoral about Theology (Sept 15) 2. The Church Writ Large: An Historical Perspective (Sept 18) o Biblical foundations o Early Centuries o Middle Ages o Reformation o Modernity o Post-Modernity 3. A Trinitarian Theology of Ministry (Sept 22) 4. Thy Kingdom Come (Sept 25, 29) o Habits, beliefs, confessions and loves o The Gospel story 5. Rituals and Symbols of the church (Oct 2, 5) Workshop I: Weddings 6. Pastor as Anointed One (Oct. 16) o The Call o Priesthood/Prophethood of All Believers o Function vs. Office 7. Leadership (Oct. 20,23) o Church polities o Models of leadership 8. Pastor as Interpreter and Preacher (Oct. 30, Nov 3) o Jesus as Hermeneutical criteria o Task of Scripture and Spirit Workshop II: Funerals (Nov. 6) 9. Biographies of Ministry (Nov. 10, 13) 10. Pastor as Evangelist and Prophet (Nov. 17, 20) o Incarnational o Recruiter for the Kingdom o Wrestling with the Powers 11. Pastor as Priest and Teacher (Nov. 24, 27) o Healer and comforter? o Remitter of sins? o Discipleship 12. Pastor as Christian (Dec. 1) o Character o Authority and accountability o Burnout 13. Special Issues 1 (Dec. 4) o Who is my neighbor? 14. Special Issues 2 (Dec. 8,11) o Public Square Pastoral Theology 4

5 o Where/What is the Kingdom? Policies Full text to the academic policies, procedures and regulations of Providence College can be found online in the Student Handbook ( and the College Academic Calendar ( 1. Late Assignment Policy A late Research paper will receive a maximum grade of C+. Late papers will be accepted up to and including the day of the final exam. 2. Plagiarism Issues of academic integrity will be dealt with according to the policies outlined in the Academic Conduct section of the Student Handbook ( the Providence College document entitled Academic Dishonesty: The Problem of Plagiarism in Academic Writing, in the Providence College Academic Formation Guide available in the Bookstore. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policies and with the consequences attached to their violation. Evaluations and Rubrics Participation The class size is conducive to ample class engagement. Students are encouraged to ask questions, make comments and dialogue when appropriate with other classmates about course content. The successful operation of this class depends significantly upon this component and thus a significant 20% of the grade is allotted class participation. The following rubric will be used to evaluate class participation. Listening Preparation Professionalism and Quality of contributions Exemplary (A) Satisfactory (C-B) Unsatisfactory (F-D) Actively and respectfully Is generally active but Projects lack of interest or listens to peers and sometimes displays lack disrespect for others. Uses instructor. of interest in comments of technology Attends all classes and notifies the instructor prior to absence because of extraordinary circumstances. Arrives on time with assignments and appropriate readings completed. Demonstrates a positive attitude and comments are relevant reflecting an understanding of assigned texts, and comments from both peers and the instructor. others Attends most classes and alerts the instructor prior to absences. Work is generally on time. Demonstrates a positive attitude. Sometimes needs to be reminded to stay on point in the conversation inappropriately. Frequently misses classes and exhibits little evidence of being prepared for the class. Missing 6 classes or more may result in an F grade for the course. Lack of interaction and any comments are generally not germane to the issue at hand. Pastoral Theology 5

6 Frequency of Participation Actively participates at appropriate times Sometimes participates Seldom participates Essays Criterion (Score 0 if element is absent) Main Idea Content Research Organization Grammar and Mechanics Conclusion Below Expectations (0-1) No main idea or awareness of purpose Assertions based on personal opinion only or on empty citations. There are factual errors. The essay does not meet the page requirement The number of sources is not met. Many formatting problems. Little evidence that any serious research was done Rambling style with poor transitions. Frequent spelling and punctuation errors showing a lack of any proofreading No discernable conclusion Meets Expectations (2-3) A main idea is supported throughout the paper Assertions are supported with appropriate evidence. The essay meets the page requirement. The minimum number of sources are used and they are consistently documented according to an standardized format, i.e. Turabian, MLA or APA. There is sufficient evidence that they contributed to the research. The content flows well with a minimum number of bumps along the way. Few grammatical errors A standard conclusion. Exceeds Expectations (4-5) A clear main idea is presented and supported throughout the paper Assertions supported with evidence (as described in meets expectations). Assertions are supported with multiple sources of evidence based on primary sources. When relevant, opposing positions are considered and arguments discounting these positions are supported with relevant scholarly evidence. Sources exceed the minimum requirement and documentation is exemplary. The essay is easily followed with appropriate transitions. Excellent grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation A succinct conclusion that supports the paper throughout. Leaves the reader asking more questions. Score 2x 5x 5x 3x 3x 2x Pastoral Theology 6

7 Reflections Beginning (0-1) Developing (2) Competent (3) Gathers Data Critical Thinking Keeps adequate record of observations Ideas are presented in a disjointed manner Keeps a record of observations and demonstrates some basic analysis Identifies basic solutions. Superior documentation of data and employs formulas, theories as are appropriate in analyzing the data. Offers a variety of solutions, resolutions and perspectives Grammar Many errors Few errors No serious errors 3x 5x 10x Conclusion Difficult to discern any significant conclusion Offers a reasonable but simple conclusion that is consistent with the evidence Integrates thoughts into solutions that are provocative and clear. 2x Pastoral Theology 7