AUTHORISED LAY MINISTRY

AUTHORISED LAY MINISTRY Module Guidebook 2016-17

Contents Introduction.. 2 Programme the year at a glance...... 3 Modules: Getting to Grips with the Gospels...... 4 Evangelism and Outreach...... 5 Text 4 Today.... 6 Chaplaincy Everywhere...... 7 Meeting God in Everyday Life..... 8 Ministry Observation... 9 Mission Possible..... 10 Transforming Communities..... 11 The Heart of the Community.. 12 On Earth as in Heaven... 13 The Christian Ministry of Healing... 14 Leadership and Ministry...... 15 Children and Young People.. 16 Pastoral Care.... 17 Facilitating Small Groups... 18 Myers Briggs: Exploring Personality Type for Ministry.. 19 ALM Assignment. 20

Introduction The Authorised Lay Ministry course for 2016-2017 comprises a series of core ( ) and optional modules. Each module will be open to anyone to take as a stand-alone module as part of continuing ministerial development, for general interest or as means of equipping themselves further for a particular area of ministry in which they might already be involved. The programme will be available on the Diocesan website www.lichfield.anglican.org and may be subject to to revision during the year. Please note that the course will largely be based at St John s Church, Westhead Avenue, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP but some of the optional modules may be held at a different venue. (Please see module details.) To book a module please contact Julia Cunningham, Training Co-ordinator: email julia.cunningham@lichfield.anglican.org; Tel: 01543 306223. Authorisation Candidates for Authorised Lay Ministry must take all of the core modules ( ), which includes a series of Ministry Observations at the start of the second Term. Candidates will also be required to complete a project on their chosen area of ministry over the course of the year. Cost The cost of the programme for those training for Authorisation is 100. For those taking the modules independently, the fee per module is stated in the module information. 2

Programme TERM 1 1A ( ) Getting to Grips with the Gospels 4, 11, 18 October, 1 November 2016 Options: 1B Evangelism and Outreach 7, 14, 21, 28 November 2016 Or 1C Text 4 Today Home study Or 1D: Chaplaincy Everywhere 9, 16, 23, 30 November 2016 1E ( ): Meeting God in Everyday Life 6, 13 December 2016. TERM 2 2A ( ) Ministry Observation 12 hours to be completed by 31 January 2017. 2B ( ) Mission Possible 4 February 2017 10am-4pm 2C ( ) Transforming Communities 7, 14 February 2017 Options: 2D On Earth as in Heaven Home Study Or: 2E The Heart of the Community 27 February, 6, 13, 20 March Or: 2F The Christian Ministry of Healing 28 February, 7, 14, 21 March 2017 2G ( ) Leadership and Ministry 28 March 2017. TERM 3 3A ( ): Children and Young People 25 April, 2 May 2017 Options: 3B Pastoral Care 11, 18, 25 May, 8 June 2017 Or: 3C Facilitating Small Groups 9, 16, 23 May, 6 June 2017 3D ( ): Myers Briggs: Exploring Personality Type 13, 20 June. 3

1A Getting to Grips with the Gospels ( ) Tutor: Lindsey Hall Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 4, 11, 18 October, 1 November 2016 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To reflect on what the Gospels mean for us today To explore the distinctiveness of the four Gospels To think about ways in which we share the Gospel stories today To explore the richness of the Christmas and Easter narratives Session 1: Matthew s New Law Session 2: Mark s Urgent Message Session 3: Luke s Radical message Session 4: John s Transformative message Key Text: NRSV Bible, Gospel Parallel or synopsis of the Four Gospels Other books/articles /resources of interest: Edward Adams Parallel Lives of Jesus: Four Gospels, One Story (2011) SPCK Roger Van Harn and Colin Gunton (eds) Theological Commentary on the Lectionary Volumes 1 and 2 (2001) Continuum 4

1B Evangelism and Outreach Tutor: George Fisher Venue: St Bertelin s, Stafford ST16 1JB Dates: 7, 14, 21, 28 November 2016 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To understand the changing cultural and social context in which we do evangelism To know and understand some basic strategies for outreach and evangelism. To know what resources are available for outreach and evangelism Session 1: The Reason for Evangelism our motivation, good and bad Session 2: The Challenge of Evangelism society and church Session 3: The Method of Evangelism focus on telling your story Session 4: The Practicalities of Evangelism - resources. Key Text: The Word s Out, Dave Male and Paul Weston. BRF. 2013 Other books/articles /resources of interest: Developing Healthy Churches, Robert Warren. CHP. 2012 Jesus the Evangelist, Robin Gamble. David Cook. 2009. Imagine Church, Neil Hudson.. IVP. 2012. Mission Shaped Evangelism, Steve Hollinghurst. Canterbury Press, 2010. The Wild Gospel, Alison Morgan. Monarch. 2004. The Provocative Church, Graham Tomlin. SPCK. 2002. 5

1C Text 4 Today This is a Distance Learning module which can be completed at any time and is free of charge. To discuss the nature of the biblical text, and how it can be studied and interpreted with integrity today To understand the importance of the form, authorship, readership and context of scripture To use commentaries discerningly, understanding the different approaches and viewpoints at work To recognise what we bring to the text, affecting our interpretation of it To bring all these elements to bear in our personal reading and interpretation of the Bible for today. Session 1: Opening up the Bible Session 2: What kind of writing? Session 3: The bigger picture Session 4: So what s really going on? Session 5: Readers and writers Session 6: Beginnings Session 7: The quality of mercy Session 8: The Word revealed Key Text: A work book is provided for this module: Text 4 Today Other books/articles /resources of interest: Walter Brueggemann, The Bible Makes Sense, Westminster John Knox Press, revised edition 2001. Morna D Hooker, Beginnings: Keys that Open the Gospels, SCM Press, 1997. Morna D Hooker, Endings: Invitations to Discipleship, SCM Press, 2003. Eugene H Peterson, Read this Book: The Art of Spiritual Reading, Hodder & Stoughton, 2006. 6

1D Chaplaincy Everywhere Tutor: Bill Mash Venue: Holy Trinity Church, Heathtown Dates: 9, 16, 23, 30 November 2016 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To understand the role of chaplaincy within the context of mission To see how chaplaincy can strengthen and challenge the church To explore how to develop the role of chaplaincy in your community Chaplaincy, as a faith based response to a rapidly changing world, is a growing and creative dimension of the church s life. Mostly, people are looking for someone to listen to them. Someone willing to grant them time, to listen to their dramas and difficulties (Pope Francis) Session 1: Caught up in the mission of God Session 2: As Christ in the world & The Spirit of Chaplaincy Session 3: The Cloak of Chaplaincy & What Chaplains do Session 4: Chaplaincy in today s world a look at our context Key Text: Chaplaincy Everywhere - The Chaplaincy Team Discipleship and Ministries Cluster (Methodist Connexional Team) Being a Chaplain - Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Mark Newitt Other books/articles /resources of interest: Chaplaincy Ministry and the Mission of the Church Victoria Slater The shaping of Things to come Innovation and Mission Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch Imagine Church Releasing Whole-Life Disciples Neil Hudson 7

1E Meeting God in Everyday Life ( ) Tutor: Rod Clark Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 6, 13 December 2016 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To enable participants to develop a parish prayer strategy To enable participants to explore their own and their parish s prayer life To help parishes develop a holistic and grounded life of prayer Session 1: Together is Better - Developing a corporate rhythm of prayer in the parish Session 2: Praying in Ordinary Time - Developing a prayer strategy which connects with the whole of life Books/articles /resources of interest: Spiritual Formation by Henri Nouwen with Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird Spirituality Workbook by David Runcorn The Yellow Brick Road by William Bausch What is the Point of Being a Christian? by Timothy Radcliffe Into Your Hands Prayer, and the call to holiness in everyday ministry and life by Andrew Clitherow Moments of Prayer by David Scott The Day is Yours Slow-Spirituality in a Fast-Moving World by Ian Stackhouse A New Monastic Handbook From Vision to Practice by Ian Mobsby and Mark Berry (esp Chapters 4 to 6) Company of Voices Daily Prayer and the People of God by George Guiver (esp Parts 3 and 4) Developing Healthy Churches Returning to the Heart of Mission and Ministry by Robert Warren (esp Chapter 5) A Passionate Balance by Alan Bartlett 8

2A Ministry Observation ( ) During the month of January 2017, you are required to spend eight hours observing and experiencing a form of ministry relevant to the area of your project, and the proposed area of your future ministry. The aim of this is to see first-hand how other people are engaged in this area of ministry and to learn from what they are doing. You could spend the time in another church, community project, shadowing a minister. As long as it is practical and will inform your project, there is scope for the observation to happen in many different contexts. In order to put arrangements in place, you need to propose somewhere for your placement and advise Lindsey Hall by 1 November 2016. The observation can be done at any times during the week but you should spend a minimum of eight hours involved in the placement. Some ideas for observations: If your area of ministry is focused on pastoral care, you could: work with a pastoral care minister, a clergy person or someone else regularly carrying out pastoral care; join a parish for specifically care-focused activities such as lunch clubs, dementia-friendly services, etc; visit a care home for services or other open events; work with a hospital visitor. If your area of ministry is focused on leading worship, you could: visit a church where they have very different sorts of services than you are used to; attend Messy Church or Fresh Expressions of Church who gather together in a different way from traditional congregations; work with a Reader or clergy person. You need to clarify three clear aims for your placement, that you hope to get out of the time spent. 9

2B Mission Possible ( ) Tutor: George Fisher and Lindsey Hall Venue: St Thomas & St Andrew s, Doxey ST16 1EQ Date: Saturday 4 February 2017, 10am - 4pm Cost: 5 To help participants think creatively about mission in their current contexts To help participants become aware of, and engage with, the cultural changes in contemporary society To explore how to better shape the church for mission To use film as a way of starting conversations about reflecting on faith Session 1: Cultural context, church and society Session 2: Blended response, inherited and fresh expressions of church Lunch (bring your own) Session 3: Mission and Film - using film as a way of starting conversations about reflecting on faith Books/articles /resources of interest: will follow 10

2C Transforming Communities ( ) Tutor: David Primrose and James Henderson Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 7, 14 February 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 Theologies for Community Engagement Sources of local data Ways to identify local assets Awareness of resources Session 1: His Story; Our Story; Facts & Figures; On the Ground; Partners in the Community Session 2: Congregational Reach; Releasing Assets; Opportunities Key Text: http://www2.cuf.org.uk/poverty-lookup-tool Other books/articles /resources of interest: https://www.cuf.org.uk/2014-publications Web of Poverty https://www.cuf.org.uk/2013-publications on Asset-Based Community Development https://www.cuf.org.uk/2013-publications England: an asset-based approach A Theological Reflection Tackling Poverty in 11

2D On Earth as in Heaven This is a Distance Learning module which can be completed at any time and is free of charge. To Engage with God s transformation of the world and enable others to understand and participate in this To reflect theologically on our own, and our church s, response to the relationship between God s kingdom and the world To understand and interpret some of the issues, priorities and concerns of contemporary culture To engage with current biblical and theological interpretations of the contemporary world Session 1: Our Father in Heaven Christians and the World Session 2: Hallowed be Your Name Matters of Truth Session 3: Your Kingdom Come (1) Interpreting God s Kingdom Session 4: Your Kingdom Come (2) the Kingdom and Politics Session 5: Your Will be Done Society and Popular Culture Session 6: Our Daily Bread Society, Nature and Creation Session 7: Forgive Us Our Debts Christians and the Economic Order Session 8: The Time of Trial Key Text: A workbook is provided for this module: On Earth as in Heaven: Interpreting and Transforming God s world Other books/articles /resources of interest: Brueggemann, Walter, Texts Under Negotiation: The Bible and the Postmodern Imagination, Fortress Press 1993 Mursell, Gordon, Praying in Exile, Darton, Longman & Todd, 2005 Newbigin, Lesslie, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, SPCK, Third edition 2004 Schori, Katharine Jefferts, The Gospel in the Global Village: Sharing God s Dream of Shalom, Canterbury Press 2009 12

2E The Heart of the Community Tutor: Chris Thorpe and Mandy Keay Venue: St Andrew s, Shifnal TF11 0AB Dates: 27 February, 6, 13, 20 March 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To gain a deeper understanding of our local context; the needs, challenges and opportunities the community faces. To explore ways of sharing the Good News of Jesus in the community. To develop practical skills in planning and carrying out projects. Session 1: Opening our Churches welcoming our local community, being generous with what we have. Session 2: Opening our Hands developing projects, making a difference Session 3: Breaking the Bread of Hospitality building bridges of trust between people Session 4: Worship that Connects transforming to reach out Key Text: Chris Thorpe Breaking the Bread of Community Engagement (2012) (available by email on request from Chris Thorpe; paper copies are available at 5.) Other books/articles /resources of interest: Resources about your local area, such as www.uklocalarea.com Carl S Dudley Community Ministry (2002) Alban Institute Ann Morisey Beyond the Good Samaritan (1997) Mowbray 13

2F The Christian Ministry of Healing Tutor: Roger Vaughan Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 28 February, 7, 14, 21 March 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To present a Biblical overview of healing and wholeness and its historical development To examine the perplexities (What about death? Why are not all healed? Etc.) and joys of this ministry To outline principles of good practice, for the church, healing teams and individuals. To open up difficult questions about prayer (Guidance is it the authentic voice of God? What do we mean by faith? - how do we handle situations where our prayers do not seem to be answered? What should we do if we suspect demonic influence? etc.) Session 1: A biblical and historical overview of the Christian Ministry of Healing. Session 2: What do we mean by Healing and Wholeness paradoxes and privileges? Session 3: Setting up and supporting the healing ministry in the local church. Session 4: The ministry of prayer and care. Key Text: A time to heal - Report to the House of Bishop on the Healing Ministry ISBN 0-7151-3837-5 Other books/articles /resources of interest Common Worship Pastoral Services: Archbishop s Council The nearly Perfect Crime How the Church almost killed the ministry of healing: Francis MacNutt; How to pray: John Pritchard; Dangerous Wonder: Michael Yaconelli; The Contemplative Pastor: Eugene Peterson; Heaven is for Real: Todd Burco 14

2G Leadership and Ministry ( ) Tutor: Lindsey Hall Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 28 March 2017 at 7.30pm To reflect on the public role of Lay ministers in the Church To prepare for changing roles in our church and community To consider what Christian leadership is and how we want to exercise it Session 1: The challenges and opportunities of lay leadership Key Text: Catherine Cowell and Sean Kennedy Church Uncorked: Leadership that Releases our Potential (2015) Instant Apostle Other books/articles /resources of interest: Stephen Cottrell Hit the Ground Kneeling Seeing Leadership Differently (2008) Church House Publishing James Lawrence Growing Leaders: Reflections on Leadership, life and Jesus (2004) BRF 15

3A Children and Young People ( ) Tutor: Jon White Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 25 April, 2 May 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 Aims : This module will give you the basic skills and knowledge you need in order to make space for children and young people in your ministry. Our sessions together will look at deciphering what theology and culture tell us about children and young people, exploring the spiritual world of the child and young person, and discovering some practical ideas to explore and use back in our churches. Session 1: The Theology of Children & Young People Session 2: Ideas and Resources Key Texts: David Csinos & Ivy Beckwith, Children s Ministry in the Way of Jesus, Downers Grove: IVP, 2013. Rebecca Nye, Children s Spirituality: what it is and why it matters, London: Church House Publishing, 2009. Steve Gerali, Teenage Guys: Exploring Issues Adolescent Girls Face and Strategies to Help Them, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006. Ginny Olson, Teenage Girls: Exploring Issues Adolescent Girls Face and Strategies to Help Them, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. 16

3B Pastoral Care Tutor: Jane Morris Venue: Cotes Heath Rectory ST21 6RS Dates: 11, 18, 25 May, 8 June 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 This module explores what is distinctive about Christian pastoral care, some of the distinctions between offering pastoral care on behalf of the church and friendship or other forms of professional care. We will also explore power dynamics in pastoral care and reflect on our own presence and impact as care givers. Session 1: Christian Care: offering God s care to others Session 2: The limits and possibilities of pastoral care Session 3: Recognising the power of power Session 4: Being the pastoral carer: presence and reflection Key Text: Joretta L. Marshall Caring When it s tough to care http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=300 George Hunsinger Paying Attention http://www.religiononline.org/showarticle.asp?title=3437 Other books/articles /resources of interest: Alastair V. Campbell (1986) Rediscovering Pastoral Care London: DLT 17

3C Facilitating Small Groups Tutor: Lindsey Hall Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 9, 16, 23 May at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To understand the dynamics of small groups and the role of the facilitator To explore ways of establishing environments that encourage transformative learning To learn some skills and tools for facilitation Session 1: Understanding small groups Session 2: Encouraging nurture, challenge, support and transformation in small groups Session 3: Managing small groups Key Text: Roger Walton Disciples Together: Discipleship, Learning and Small Groups (2014) SCM Press Other books/articles /resources of interest: Jenny Rogers Facilitating Groups (2010) Open University Donelson Forsyth Group Dynamics (Chapter 1 free on http://www.cengagebrain.co.uk/content/forsyth68220_0534368220_0 2.01_chapter01.pdf 18

3D Myers Briggs: Exploring Personality Type for Ministry ( ) Tutor: Lindsey Hall Venue: St John s, Littleworth, Stafford ST16 3RP Dates: 13, 20 June 2017 at 7.30pm Cost: 10 To understand the concept of personality types in general and the Myers Briggs tool in particular To gain insight into the personality types of ourselves and others To reflect on the way in which personality types influence the practice of ministry Session 1: Identifying type finding our own MBTI types Session 2: Reflecting on MBTI and ministry Key Text: This module will be based around the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Please note that the first stage of the process must be completed before the first session. Details will be sent out when you sign up for this module. Other books/articles /resources of interest: http://www.myersbriggs.org/ Please note, there is a questionnaire to be completed ahead of the session 19

Assignment ( ) This project is for those who are completing the course to be authorised as a lay minister. The completed project should be submitted to Julia Cunningham at St Mary s House by the 31 st May 2017. You may be required to do work as part of individual modules, particularly the distance-learning modules. You can re-use this work as part of your final project if it is appropriate to do so. PROJECT 1. CHOOSE A TOPIC For the project you need to select one area of ministry. This should be an area that you are already working in or intend to work in. It could be fairly broad (for example ministry with pre-school children) or more specific (for example Mission and Ministry at St Luke s Playgroup). On the whole, the more focussed your topic is, the easier it will be to decide what to include in your project. 2. VISION STATEMENT The first section of your project should be a vision statement. In it you should outline why you think this ministry is important; in what ways it is growing the kingdom of God; how it is helping others in their journey of discipleship; what your hopes and dreams are for this area of work; how you see God at work in this particular are of ministry. (500 800 words) To be submitted by 31 st January 2017 3. A BIBLE STUDY The second section of your project should be a Bible Study. To do this you need to choose a passage which you see as being relevant to the area of ministry you have chosen to explore for your project. You should write about: 20

The context of the passage (which book is it on, what comes before and after it, does it refer to or resonate with any other parts of the Bible?) Interpretations of the passage (what are the different ways in which it might be read?) What it means to you (how do you understand it, why is it important to you?) What it says about the area of ministry you are exploring (does it motivate you for ministry, offer a vision, principle, story of transformation, etc)? (1000-1500 words) REFLECTION ON CHOSEN AREA The third section of your project is looking at the ministry itself. Here you can include details of events, relationships, work that you have already done, or has already happened in this area, and offer some reflection on them. You could do this by describing an event, and then commenting on how it went and to what extent it matched up to your vision for this area of ministry. You could also write about a relationship that you have invested in as part of ministry, a partnership that has been growing in this area, or any other aspect of ministry in your chosen area. You should select three or four examples to describe and then reflect on. You can include items from the event as part of your description advertising fliers, service sheets, photos, etc. (1500-2000 words) 4. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF MINISTRY The Fourth section of your project is an evaluation of the area of ministry, focussing on what you think the biggest challenges and opportunities are in working in this area. You should try and discuss at least three challenges and three opportunities. (500 words) Contd / 21

5. TAKING IT FORWARD The final section of your project should describe how you intend to take this area of ministry forward. You can do it as bullet points, or you might wish to write them as SMART goals. Specific what, where, when? Measurable how will you know your goal has been reached? Attainable is it possible given the resources we have? Realistic and Relevant does it further your vision for ministry? Time-based when will you aim to have met your goal? Stating not just what we would like to do, but how and when we will do it means we are much more likely to achieve those goals. You should aim to have three or four goals which summarise what you want to do in the short and medium term in this area of ministry. (250 400 words) The word counts suggested are for guidance only. The most important thing is that you complete each section in a way which engages with the question set and which helps you and your parish or community in thinking about this area of ministry. Whatever books or resources you have used as part of this work should be acknowledged in a list of resources at the end of the project. You will be allocated a tutor to work with on your project. There will also be a session introducing the project and helping you to get started with it.