Bachelor of Cross-cultural Ministry

Transcription

1 Bachelor of Cross-cultural Ministry Professional Practice Handbook 2014

2 Contents 1. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE... 1 STRATEGIES... 1 DESCRIPTORS OF STRATEGIES... 2 Coaching... 2 Mentoring... 2 Corporate Learning... 2 Skills Application... 3 Journaling... 3 PORTFOLIO COMPETENCIES IN THE DEGREE GRADUATE PROFILE CHURCH PLANTING AT WORLDVIEW... 8 PROFILE OF A CHURCH PLANTER... 9 CHURCH PLANTING TEAM MINISTRY CHURCH PLANTING PRACTICUM Practicum Placement Policy Learning Contract Roles and Responsibilities Practicum Supervisor s Report MENTORING AND COACHING SETTING PERSONAL GROWTH GOALS... 20

3 1. Professional Practice Demand hours per module = 40 hours This is an integral component of each module. It is designed to assist you to monitor your personal growth and character formation as well as providing a checklist of the required competencies for you to become an effective cross-cultural worker. Over the three years you will be required to keep a portfolio which includes a journal describing your journey in relation to these competencies. The main purpose of the journal is to measure the affective outcomes of each module. A word summary of key learning points based on this journal is part of the end of year assessment for Professional Practice. This component develops competencies in: group and teamwork leadership development self and peer evaluation interpersonal skill development problem solving character formation practical application of knowledge in culturally relevant ways ministry skill development STRATEGIES The following strategies are used to facilitate the achievement of the above competencies: coaching mentoring corporate worship and prayer growth groups seminar and forums from practitioners ministry experience individually and with teams cross-cultural church planting practicum reflective journal practical work

4 DESCRIPTORS OF STRATEGIES Coaching: Coaches will be available as needed to give coaching in the skills required for the ministry and practical experiences assigned to you by the Supervisor. Mentoring: It is our intention that every student be in a mentoring relationship. You will be paired with a mentor usually from the Launceston Christian community for one year. If the relationship is amenable, you may continue with the mentor into the second and third years. Corporate Learning: Growth Groups: A small group of fellow-travelers committed to meeting regularly to facilitate personal and corporate growth in a safe environment. by small we mean normally no more than 5 in one group, one of whom is a staff member fellow-travellers describes the attitude to each other and an invitation to vulnerability and authenticity facilitate implies that the staff member s main role is to ensure that growth happens by creating a learning environment a safe environment is one where confidentiality, respect and mutuality are essential in order for trust to grow Growth Group activities may include: attending forums and discussing the impressions gained from each session setting goals and being accountable listening to one another s stories reading reflectively together supporting one another in study being mutually encouraging and affirming journaling being involved in the local community together Worship and Prayer: The whole Worldview community will meet weekly to participate in corporate worship and prayer. Record the details of visiting speakers, themes, topics and impressions in your journal. 2

5 Cross-Cultural Practitioners: Regular input will be given by visiting practitioners on issues related to living and working cross-culturally. The Growth Groups will be the context for reflective thinking and response. Skills Application: Practical Work: You will be involved in a range of practical work for 3 hours per week. This creates opportunities for you to hone your team work, interpersonal, leadership and problem solving skills as well as contributing in a practical way to the Worldview community. Ministry Experience: Ministry hours form a part of the Professional Practice component of every module. During the modules Church Planting 1 and 2, you will be exposed to a variety of missional activities. Some activities may require a regular weekly commitment and others could be one off events. You may negotiate with the Supervisor to continue with one of the regular activities for the remainder of the year with only occasional experience in alternative ministries or you may prefer experience in a greater range. The length of placements will vary to balance variety, depth and continuity. The ministry experience component is subject to the approval of the Supervisor. Church Planting Team Ministry: The modules Church Planting 1 and 2 include a three week period of team ministry. This may be cross-cultural or church-based. Guidelines and expectations are explained in another manual. Cross-cultural Church Planting Practicum: The Church Planting Practicum in the third year of the degree will be cross-cultural, either in Australia or overseas. You will be placed with an existing church planting team for 5 weeks of hands on ministry. Journaling: To gain maximum benefit from your professional practice (ministry, practical work, corporate learning) you will be expected to keep a journal. This is a vehicle to help you reflect on the tasks of ministry (your own as well as those of other practitioners) and practical work, the process of your own growth, what you have learnt and what you would do differently. It is considered to be one of the most powerful learning tools that we can utilise. There are blank pages in your Professional Practice Portfolio which you can use for this purpose. 3

6 The journal will be initialed by the Professional Practice Supervisor when you meet at the end of each module. As you write your journal, be as specific as you can be regarding the details of each ministry or practical experience (including skills used) as well as the program for the corporate worship, prayer and speakers. If possible write a statement in about 50 words. Examples of entries: THURSDAY MORNING PROGRAM 20/3/14 John Snedden spoke from Ezekiel about God doing the impossible. It really encouraged me. Peter and Ros Schmarewski spoke on outreach in the Senegal River Valley and we prayed for the team and the Pulaar people group. I wondered how I would go in such a tough area. KID S CLUB 20/4/14 I hate this. No response, children muck up. Why do we have to do this? The material is not good. I can t wait to never have to do children s work again. It s definitely not my thing. GROWTH GROUP 8/5/14 I had to lead the Growth Group today and asked everyone to share their happiest memory and saddest memory. It was very revealing and helped me understand the others. We had a good time of prayer for each other afterwards. PERSONAL TESTIMONY 26/5/14 I led a 5 minute personal testimony in a team presentation during missions to a mixed group of people at a local church. I used a power point presentation that I made myself and even though this went well and was visible by all, the group thought that I needed to speak slower with more passion. This is the second time people have commented on how I speak. (Should I get some help?) PARTICIPATING IN A CHURCH SERVICE AT, 10/8/14 I am beginning to hate being in a team. No one really asks me what I want to do and I usually end up making power point presentations, like I did this time. I think I do PPs well and I could be teaching others to do this and do something that I need some experience in. I d love to have a go at speaking. How can I offer to do this without offending or seeming to be arrogant? I ll talk to my mentor about this next meeting. WEEDING FOR PRAC 23/10/2014 I spent two hours pulling up weeds and my back is killing me but it is so good to see the vegetable patch clean and ready to plant. It reminded me of some of the weeding God has been doing in me lately. 4

7 SPEAKING IN CHURCH FOR 10 MINS 9/11/14 Loved this! I think I m called to be a preacher. Shame only 17 were there. Everyone liked me and said I had good gifts for speaking. I need more opportunities. Surely this is a gift. PORTFOLIO There is a variety of documents related to professional practice and these are collated into the Professional Practice Portfolio. These include: Log of reviews with Growth Group leaders Log of meetings with mentor Contract with mentor Log of Professional Practice experiences Course Competencies Report for each module Stage reviews including Baseline Graduate Profile competencies report Profile of a Church Planter After each module, take your portfolio and journal with you when you meet with the Supervisor. After Each Module: In a private interview with the Professional Practice Supervisor, discuss any issues raised in your reflective journal, competencies report or ministry experience. The Supervisor may refer you to other appropriate people, e.g. mentor, lecturer, coach or even a counsellor. The Course Competencies Progress Report needs to be completed at the end of each module in time for your meeting with your Supervisor. At The End of The Year: Towards the end of the year you will complete a word summary of key learning points based on your journal. This is part of your assessment for the Discipleship module. 5

8 2. Competencies in the Degree The Degree lists a set of competencies which will be addressed to some extent in each module. Some are listed in the Course Competencies Progress Report found in your Portfolio. These are the competencies monitored through the Competencies Report: plan and organise activities work with others in teams solve problems apply information in culturally relevant ways These competencies are monitored through your assignment tasks: collect, organise and analyse material communicate ideas and information engage critically with authors assess and evaluate own performance and that of others This competency is monitored through mentoring sessions established in BTB1.1 and BTB2.5 and continued throughout the year: manage personal growth challenges 6

9 3. Graduate Profile The competencies of the Degree build towards the competencies looked for in a graduate. The Worldview program is designed to help you develop the skills and understanding listed as graduate competencies in the Graduate Profile. By the end of the course you will be able to: demonstrate skills in collecting, analysing, evaluating and organising information apply concepts and principles learnt to ministry contexts outline the basic content, key teachings, attitudes and values of Scripture articulate a personal biblical, theological and missional understanding of God at work in the world (past, present and future) identify your individual profile and acknowledge personal strengths and areas for development apply problem solving skills demonstrate development in interpersonal and teamwork skills pursue the ability to communicate ideas and information effectively cross-culturally work both autonomously and collaboratively relate equitably with people (regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, ability or status) display individual progress in the ability to communicate the Gospel cross-culturally Twice a year, in your Growth Group, you will have time to reflect on these competencies and how you perceive you are progressing, noting specific elements of the course and Worldview lifestyle which have contributed to your development in each of them. Your Professional Practice Portfolio contains pages for this purpose. 7

10 4. Church Planting At Worldview Over your three years of study you will be exposed to church planting processes. Not only will you have teaching modules, you will also be engaged in church planting activities throughout the course. The following profile has been developed by church planters and as such lists the competencies of an effective church planter. You will not acquire all of these during the three years, but in some you may be well practiced. The commitment of Worldview is to life long learning. The acquisition of skills to do the work of a church planter will extend outside of the three years of the Degree. The profile is not of a graduate but of a church planter, and until you are actually engaged in continuous church planting you will not be able to develop some of the competencies. The Degree is part of your lifelong learning and presents this profile to you as something to keep perfecting throughout the years of your ministry. As a part of the church planting modules you will look at this profile. Then at the end of the year you will fill in as much of the profile as you can because the professional practice component of other modules is the place where you will have opportunities to develop the skills. Your Professional Practice Portfolio has a page to help you do this. At times you may need a coach to help you. A variety of coaches may be used throughout the duration of the Degree because you will be developing different skills at different times. The profile is to be a help to enable you to focus on becoming an effective church planter. At the end of each year, discuss your progress toward the Profile of a Church Planter with your Supervisor. 8

11 PROFILE OF A CHURCH PLANTER Engages in effective church planting COMPETENCY demonstrates a good understanding of the host people s culture, social, and demographic situation develops good relationships with host culture churches and other missions working with the same people shares the Gospel in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways disciples and mentors new believers to follow Christ helps believers interpret and apply the Bible in their context encourages and affirms believers in using their spiritual gifts communicates a vision for reaching the city, region, or people group equips, empowers and entrusts believers for responsibilities equips and empowers believers to share their faith and lead people to Christ equips and empowers believers to start new churches embraces a vision for reproducing churches contributes towards the establishment of reproducing churches within the strategy of the people with whom they are working develops and uses a simple, reproducible, and contextualised way of sharing the gospel develops and uses a simple, reproducible contextualised way of discipling new believers develops and uses a simple, reproducible contextualised way of training leaders gives vision for the great commission to national churches 9

12 CHURCH PLANTING TEAM MINISTRY The Church Planting Team Ministry (or Missions ) takes place in May. Two weeks are set aside for planning and the placement, then one week for debriefing and reporting. Missions provide an opportunity for you to work towards the affective and skills outcomes of the Church Planting modules, namely: Affective outcomes: 1. Evidences a commitment to relate to all people regardless of gender, race, religion, ability, status or state 2. Confirms the validity of culturally defined communities of faith 3. Expresses an awareness of own ethnocentricity 4. Expresses an appreciation of other cultures 5. Shows respect for other cultures 6. Recognises the importance of empowering of local leadership Skill outcomes: 7. Engages in effective church planting Teams are generally small (4-5 members) with one student appointed as team leader. The placement may be in Tasmania, other states of Australia or overseas. You will be assigned to your team if it is based in Tasmania but you may choose if you wish to join an overseas or mainland Australia team. In the case of parents with children at Worldview, one spouse will be based locally so that children can remain in school / Play Centre. Each team will receive a minimal allowance to cover some ministry costs. You will need to cover your own travel costs since these are not included in your course fees. The program for each individual team is worked out in conjunction with the host Church/Ministry supervisor and will vary according to the location and context. Guidelines and expectations will be explained in orientation sessions leading up to the placement. A word report forms the final assessment for the Church Planting Team Ministry. 10

13 CHURCH PLANTING PRACTICUM In the third year of the degree you will have the opportunity to live and work with an existing team for five weeks of hands on church planting ministry. There is a week set aside for preparation, reading, travel and briefing. During this time you will prepare the Learning Contract with your Supervisor. Your responsibilities and those of the Professional Practice Supervisor and the Practicum Supervisor are outlined in Roles and Responsibilities. The Practicum Supervisor will prepare a report at the conclusion of your placement and discuss this with you before submitting it to the Professional Practice Supervisor. After the practicum two weeks are allocated for completion of assignments and for debriefing. The timing of your public presentation on the practicum will be negotiated with your Supervisor. Practicum Placement Policy Practicum placement is the responsibility of the Worldview faculty. The location of the placement will be selected in consultation with the faculty committee, Professional Practice Supervisor and team leader in the location. It is anticipated that a number of options for practicum will be presented to you and that over a number of years a relationship will develop with teams in particular locations and that these teams would host practicum students on a regular basis. Location will be chosen on the ability of the team in the location to provide the learning context necessary for fulfillment of the required outcomes in a secure environment. The team should be well established and able to provide opportunities for your direct involvement in ministry. The Practicum Supervisor will be appointed by the team leader in the location. The Practicum Supervisor will be a person with considerable church planting experience. Your safety is of prime importance. Overseas locations selected for practicum will be those that are regarded by Department of Foreign Affairs 11

14 and Trade as safe for travel. However, if situations develop in the location of the placement that may compromise the security of the team and consequently your security, an alternative location will be provided. Accommodation Accommodation will be arranged by the team hosting you. The standard and type of accommodation provided will be that considered by the team leader in the location as the most suitable for the local context. Financial responsibility You will be responsible for payment of all costs incurred during practicum. Costs will include return airfares, food, travel and accommodation costs whilst on practicum, and sundry expenses (gifts to hosts, souvenirs etc). It is recommended that you take out travel insurance for the duration of the practicum, covering travel and health. 12

15 MCB3.15 CHURCH PLANTING PRACTICUM Learning Contract Student: Professional Practice Supervisor: Practicum Supervisor: Dates of Practicum: Overview of the Practicum Week Activities 1 Briefing (Learning Contract proposed) Preparatory Reading Travel 2-6 Orientation (LC consolidated and signed) Practicum 40 hours per week practical involvement One free day each week 7 Travel Annotated Journal 8 Debrief Develop Evaluation Forms Public Presentation with Evaluation 13

16 Practicum Objectives 1. Ministry Objectives (tasks and responsibilities): 2. Personal Objectives (personal development): 3. Action-reflection Objectives (journal and meetings): Ministry Activities: Agreement We, the undersigned, agree to the terms and conditions of the above contract. Student: Practicum Supervisor: 14

17 MCB3.15 CHURCH PLANTING PRACTICUM Roles and Responsibilities Student Responsibilities to: Practicum Supervisor: o to be accountable to the supervisor o to be well prepared and reliable in meeting with the supervisor o to be willing to listen, and to be open to constructive criticism o to be honest in assessing own progress and setbacks Professional Practice Supervisor: o to report as required o to meet with as required o to be honest in assessing own progress and setbacks o to inform of any improvements to the program Practicum Supervisor responsibilities to: Student: o to assist with all preparatory arrangements and orientation, including an introduction to the local culture o to have clear guidelines established to ensure objectives are fulfilled o to meet regularly with the student to monitor progress o to be available at all times for contact, encouragement and prayer o to inform Professional Practice Supervisor of all arrangements o to complete Supervisor s report and discuss with student before sending to Professional Practice Supervisor Professional Practice Supervisor: o to inform Professional Practice Supervisor of all arrangements o to complete and submit Supervisor s report 15

18 Professional Practice Supervisor responsibilities to: Student: o to provide orientation, direction, support and facilitation for the practicum process o to be available for regular communication via phone, fax and o to give guidelines regarding security o to adjudicate in assessments o to facilitate student debrief Practicum Supervisor: o to provide orientation, direction, support and reporting mechanisms for the practicum process o to be available for regular communication via phone, fax and o to adjudicate in assessments 16

19 MCB3.15 CHURCH PLANTING PRACTICUM Practicum Supervisor s Report Student: Professional Practice Supervisor: Practicum Supervisor: Dates of Practicum: Thank you for your cooperation in completing this report. We appreciate your involvement with our student on their third year practicum. Overview of the Practicum Week Activities 1 Briefing (Learning Contract proposed) Preparatory Reading Travel 2-6 Orientation (LC consolidated and signed) Practicum 40 hours per week practical involvement One free day each week 7 Travel Annotated Journal 8 Debrief Develop Evaluation Forms Public Presentation with Evaluation 17

20 1. Describe the activities undertaken by the student. Give some idea of the daily hours involved. 2. Relate details of your meetings; how often did you meet? How did the student respond to your input? 3. Describe the approach and attitude of the student to the activities in which they were involved. 4. Describe ways the student contributed to the team. 5. Please use the Profile of a Church Planter form to identify the student s areas of strength and areas that could be developed further. Note below and discuss these with the student. Strengths Areas to be developed 6. Which spiritual gifts did you see evidenced in the student s life and ministry? 7. Other comments Signed 18 Date

21 5. Mentoring and Coaching Coaching aims to bring about the improvement in a worker s ability to perform a task and enables people to perform a new task improve performance develop a skill solve a problem build confidence It is usually a non threatening short term arrangement. Coaching at Worldview refers to gaining help from someone who has the skills that the student/ staff member needs to develop. The coach comes alongside the other one and works with them so that they may gain the competencies required for the ministry/ tasks to be done. Usually a student remains with the same mentor for the duration of the period of training; however the coach may change if at any time the current coach feels that another may be of more help in gaining the required competencies. The same coach may be retained and at other times specialists used by the coach for the desired results. Mentoring is long term care for the holistic development of the person. At Worldview mentoring is the relationship between a more mature Christian and the student who seeks to be mentored. The mentoring process is intentional, confidential and is directed at authentic growth of the whole person. (See Mentoring Handbook) BTB1.1 states that one of the outcomes is to set personal growth goals and contract with a mentor to assess these monthly so as to monitor desired growth and implement personal change as required. The growth goals will be set with the Professional Practice Supervisor and revisited monthly with your mentor. There is a page in your Professional Practice Portfolio where you can record your goals. The following pages will help you with the process of goal setting. Sign the contract with your mentor, found in your Prof Prac Portfolio, at your first meeting together. Each time you meet with your mentor fill in the log of meetings. This is repeated for BTB

22 Setting Personal Growth Goals For your ongoing personal growth it is imperative that goals be set and six key areas have been identified to help you to do this spiritual life, general wellness, study, family, relationships and ministry. The goals must be SMART: Specific / Simple Measurable Achievable and attractive Realistic and relevant Time bound Specific / Simple Many times we fail to achieve our goals because they are vague and hard to define. By taking a bit of time to define the goal, we set ourselves on a clearer path to achievement. Three key questions: What are you going to do? Use words which are active - develop, build, organise... Why do you want to do it? To know why you want to do achieve a certain goal, is to establish an ongoing sense of purpose for working on this goal How are you going to do it? I will achieve this goal by doing the following...! Measurable If you aren t able to measure your goal, you won t be able to say if you have met it. Choosing a goal with measurable progress helps you to see if change occurs. Establish some way of recording your progress as a motivational tool. Examples: I want to lose 3cm off my waist line by [date] or I will fast-walk 4km per day, at least 5 days per week I want to spend dedicated time with my children and spouse when I am with them. I will take ½ hour after every meal time to read a story to my children with my spouse. 20

23 Achievable Goals which are too far out of reach may start with an enthusiasm which will fade with failure. Better to set a lower goal (which will still stretch you) and attain it, and then set subsequently higher goals. Seeing success in attaining goals motivates us to continue to set more and enjoy the fruits of progress. Realistic & Relevant Keep it real and make sure it s valuable to you and relevant now - look at who you are, where you are, the overall demands on you and set goals & make plans within that context. The goals should involve some effort which gives that sense of achievement of something valuable but not so much it s doomed to failure. Time Bound Set a timeframe for achieving the goal: by next week, by [date], by end of term. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. Without a time limit, there's no urgency to start taking action now. Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic. To help you to write a key goal in the six areas (spiritual life, general wellness, study, family, relationships and ministry) first work out five goals in each area, redefine these to three and then rewrite so that you have one key goal for each area. Once the goal has been identified, check it against the SMART test. Your Professional Practice Supervisor will help you with the process of setting your goals. Include some strategies that may be implemented for you to achieve these key goals. Once completed, the goals can be discussed regularly with your mentor. If you are not able to achieve your goals they can be modified. The goals can also be revisited as part of your bi-annual reviews with your Growth Group leaders (see Prof Prac Portfolio). Remember, the process will be done each year that you are at Worldview, so the desirable outcome is that over a period of time the strategies employed will help you develop to become more and more who Jesus wants you to be. 21

24 Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies 41 Station Road, PO Box 21, St Leonards, Tasmania 7250 e: p: (03) f: (03) CRICOS Provider No: 00705M ACN: ABN: