LEAD 635 THEOLOGY OF PASTORAL MINISTRY DR. DAVID W. HIRSCHMAN 592-4177 DWHIRSCHMAN@LIBERTY.EDU CARTER BUILDING 170 I. COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of the different phases of the daily work of the pastor. Attention is given to the call, character, leadership, and responsibilities of the pastor. Opportunities are also given for the student to practice methods of pastoral work. II. RATIONALE The calling and responsibilities of a pastor should be considered carefully before embarking on a life dedicated to God s service. PLED 635 helps prepare the pastoral student by engaging areas critical to pastoral life and service, thus equipping and enabling the student to fulfill their role, and anticipate long-term success. III. PREREQUISITES None IV. MATERIALS LIST Brand, Chad Owen and R. Stanton Norman. Perspectives on Church Government: 5 Views. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2004. ISBN: 978-0-8054-2590-1. MacArthur, J. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005. ISBN: 13: 978-1-4185-0006-1. Smith, Gordon T. ed. The Lord s Supper: Five Views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-8308-2884-5 Wright, David F. ed. Baptism: Three Views, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-8308-3856-1
V. MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES The student will be able to: A. Explain the biblical concept of pastoral ministry B. Articulate the elements related to the call to pastoral ministry. C. Evaluate their qualifications for pastoral ministry in light of scripture. D. Determine personal theological positions for use in pastoral ministry E. Construct scripturally-based responses to typical pastoral ministry scenarios. F. Apply course principles to actual church situations. VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS A. Pastoral Role Assignment (LO-A, C) Using a standard questionnaire, students will interview a pastor to obtain insights regarding various aspects of pastoral ministry, asking questions and summarizing the interview, adding personal applications gained through the process. The summary/personal application portion of the assignment must be at least two pages. B. Book Critiques (LO-B, D) Students will critique two of the texts used in the course (Smith, Wright), summarizing the essential concepts, principles and themes of the text, evaluating perceived strengths and weaknesses, and including a personal application of knowledge gained. Each critique must be a minimum of three pages and not more than five pages. C. Ordination Paper (LO-A, B, C) Students will prepare a 5-7 page paper suitable for use in an ordination council that includes a reflection on their personal call to pastoral ministry, their qualifications according to 1 Timothy 3, their spiritual gifts according to Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Eph 4, and their personal doctrinal statement. D. Personal Theology Paper (LO-B, C) Utilizing the course material and drawing upon external sources, students will construct a 10-12 page research paper on one of the key pastoral theology topics, presenting a historical review of the topic, current positions held in various ministry settings, and their personal position and basis for their position on the topic. At least five additional sources must be used as the external sources, and the paper constructed following Turabian form and style. Page 2 of 5
E. Mid- Term Exam (LO-A, B, C, D) Students will complete a mid-term exam covering course information from the first half of the course. F. Final Exam (LO-A, B, C, D) Students will complete a final exam covering course information from the second half of the course. VII. COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES A. Weight or Points B. Scale: Pastoral Role Assignment 5% Book Critique (Wright) 10% Book Critique (Smith) 10% Ordination Paper 10% Personal Theology Paper 25% Mid-Term Exam 20% Final Exam 20% Total 100% A = 94 100 B = 86 93 C = 75 85 D = 68 74 F = 0 67 VIII. POLICIES A. ATTENDANCE POLICIES Students are expected to attend each class session to complete the course successfully. Students should contact the professor immediately should illness or emergency preclude attendance at any time. B. DISABILITY ASSISTANCE Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in Green Hall 2668 to make arrangements for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center (Green Hall 2700) is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom. C. OTHER POLICIES 1. Academic Misconduct Academic misconduct is strictly prohibited. See The Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for reporting. Page 3 of 5
2. Drop/Add Policy Consult the Graduate Catalog for drop/add policies. 3. Dress Code (applies to classes meeting on campus) Students are expected to maintain a neat, professional appearance while in class. Consult your department for additional guidelines. 4. Classroom Policies Enumerated in the course introduction IX. CALENDAR The following calendar is a general representation of the course material and is subject to date adjustment as necessary Lesson Reading Assignment Course Introduction Pastoral Ministry Understanding the Call MacArthur Ch. 1-4 Pastoral Ministry Understanding the Call MacArthur Ch. 5-7 Pastoral Ministry Understanding the Qualifications MacArthur Ch. 8 Pastoral Ministry Understanding the Qualifications Wright Part 1 Pastoral Interview Pastoral Ministry Understanding Ordination Personal versus Denominational Theology MacArthur Ch. 10-12 The Importance of a Personal Theology Wright Part 2 Developing a Personal Theology MacArthur Ch. 13-15 Developing a Personal Theology of Family Life MacArthur Ch. 16-19 Developing a Personal Theology of Ministry Wright Part 3 Developing a Personal Theology of Pastoral Care MacArthur Ch. 9 A Personal Theology of Church Ordinances - Baptism MacArthur Ch. 21 A Personal Theology of Church Ordinances - Baptism Smith Part 1 Wright Critique Review Smith Part 2 Mid-term Exam Smith Part 3 Spring Break Baptismal Practice Smith Part4 A Personal Theology of Church Ordinances - Communion Smith Part 5 A Personal Theology of Church Ordinances - Communion Communion Service Perspectives Part 1 Smith Critique A Personal Theology of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Perspectives Part 2 A Personal Theology of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage Perspectives Part 3 A Personal Theology of Weddings Perspectives Part 4 A Personal Theology of Funerals Perspectives Part 5 A Personal Theology of Church Government Ordination Paper A Personal Theology of Church Government Carson Ch 1 A Personal Theology of Questionable Items Carson Ch 2 A Personal Theology of Questionable Items Carson Ch 3 Pastor Panel Carson Ch 6 Final Exam Personal Theology Page 4 of 5
Paper X. STUDENTS WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) in DH 2016 to arrange for academic accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Tutoring/Testing Center is the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom. XI. SUGGESTED SOURCES Adams, Jay E. Shepherding God s Flock, A Handbook on Pastoral Ministry, Counseling, and Leadership. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1975. Bryant, James W. and Mac Brunson. The New Guidebook for Pastors. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 2007. Clark, David K. and Robert V. Rakestraw. Readings in Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2004. Engstrom, Ted W. The Making of a Christian Leader, How to Develop Management and Human Relations Skills. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1976 Fisher, David. The 21st Century Pastor. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996. Frye, John W. Jesus the Pastor: Leading Others in the Character and Power of Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000 Jewett, Paul K. Infant Baptism and The Covenant of Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1978. Morris, Henry M. III. Baptism: How Important Is It?. Denver, CO: Accent Books, 1978. Tucker, Austin B. A Primer for Pastors. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2004. Wagner, E. Glenn, Escape From Church, Inc. The Return of the Pastor-Shepherd. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1999. Kent, Homer A. The Pastoral Epistles. Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1995. Zuck, Roy B. and Darrell L. Bock, ed. A Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1994. Page 5 of 5