Conflict Management; Ordination; Leadership Development; and other issues in pastoral ministry.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Hamilton MC 701 - Introduction to Pastoral Ministry Syllabus: January 9-13, 2017 (Snow date: 14 January) M-F 9-12; 1:15-4:30 Dr. Jim Singleton Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Office Library 119 Office Phone 978-646-4093 Email jsingleton@gcts.edu Byington Scholar Rachel Toone (rtoone@gcts.edu) I. Course Description This course examines the roles, function, and theological considerations for the practice of pastoral ministry. Ministry identity, call, and foundational pastoral tasks will be discussed. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum The course in Pastoral Ministry (MC 701) is ideally taken by students who are nearing the end of their seminary studies. The course takes into consideration studies in exegesis, theology, history, evangelism, ethics, education, counseling, preaching and polity and challenges students to consider how their studies are actually applied in practical ministry. However, it is understood that schedules often push this course earlier. III. Course Objectives The purpose of this course is to provide general information about pastoral ministry in order to help students: (1) understand the dynamics of pastoral ministry, (2) be acquainted with specific tasks of pastoral ministry, (3) to develop a biblical and theological vision for pastoral ministry, (4) to clarify calling and identity as a pastor, (5) to engage with issues, challenges, and obstacles toward faithful and effective pastoral ministry, and (6) to be better prepared to engage in the practice of a biblically-based and theologically driven ministry. Emphasis will be made on the practical matters of ministry. Items presented include the following: Identity, Roles and Expectations of the Pastor; Worship and Liturgy; Baptism (children and adults) and Dedication of Children; Lord s Supper; Weddings; Funerals and Grief Work; Pastoral Care; Visitation; Church Finances; Personal Finances; Church Discipline; Professional Ethics; Sexual Ethics and Behavior; Staff Relationships and Evaluation; Interviewing and Terminating staff; 1

Conflict Management; Ordination; Leadership Development; and other issues in pastoral ministry. IV. Course Textbooks Required: Brink, Emily and John Witvliet, eds. Worship Sourcebook: A Classic Resource for Today s Church. (Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 2013) (ISBN: 978-0-8010-15915). (844 pp.) Eswine, Zack. The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus. (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2016) (ISBN: 978-1-4335-4933-5) Kim, Matthew D. 7 Lessons for New Pastors: Your First Year in Ministry (St. Louis, Chalice, 2011) (ISBN-13: 978-0827234871). (131 pages) Steinke, Peter L. Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach. (Lanham, MD.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) (ISBN: 978-1566993302) Stott, John. The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor. (IVP: Downers Grove, Ill: 2007) (ISBN: 978-0-8308-3486-0) (180 pp.) Swanson, David D. Everlasting Life: How God Answers Our Questions about Grief, Loss, and the Promise of Heaven. (Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker, 2012) (ISBN: 978-0-8010-1446-8) (186 pages) Swetland, Kenneth L. The Hidden World of the Pastor: Case Studies on Personal Issues of Real Pastors (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2007). (ISBN: 978-1556351785) One novel from the following list: Enger, Leif. Peace Like a River. (New York: Grove Press, 2001) (ISBN: 0-8021-3925-6) (311 pages) Howatch, Susan. Glittering Images. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1987) (ISBN: 0-449- 21436-2) (434 pages) Lindvall, Michael L. The Good News from North Have: A Year in the Life of a Small Town. (New York: Doubleday, 1991) (ISBN: 0-385-41640-7) (175 pages) Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead. (New York: Picador, 2004) (ISBN: 0-312-42440-X) (247 pp.) 2

Lewis, Sinclair. Elmer Gantry. (New York: Penguin: Signet Classics, 1927, 1967) (ISBN: 0-451-53352-6) (465 pages) Others Recommended: Bucer, Martin. Concerning the True Care of Souls (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, (ISBN: 978-0-85151-984-5) Davis, John Jefferson. Worship and the Reality of God: An Evangelical Theology of Real Presence. (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP, 2010) (ISBN: 978-0-8308-3884-4) DeYmaz, Mark Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass 2007) (ISBN-10: 0787995517; ISBN-13: 978-0787995515). Gibson, Scott M. Preaching for Special Services (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001). (ISBN-10: 080109111X; ISBN-13: 978-0801091117) Gibson, Scott M. Preaching with a Plan: Sermon Strategies for Growing Mature Believers (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012) (ISBN-10: 0801091594; ISBN-13: 978-0801091599 Helopoulos Jason. The New Pastor s Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2015) (208 pages) Holifield, E. Brooks. God s Ambassadors: A History of the Christian Clergy in America (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007) (ISBN: 978-0-8028-0381-8) Hughes, R. Kent. The Pastor s Book: A Comprehensive and Pastoral Guide to Ministry. (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2015) (ISBN: 978-1-4375-4587-0) (592 pages) Osterhaus, James, Joseph M. Jurkowski, and Todd A Hahn. Thriving Through Ministry Conflict. (Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2005) (ISBN: 13:978-0-310-86438-7) (155 pp.) Peterson, Eugene. The Pastor: A Memoir. (New York: Harper One, 2011) (ISBN: 978-0- 06-1998820-2) (320pp) Peterson, Eugene. Working the Angles (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987) (ISBN-10: 0802802656; ISBN-13: 978 0802802651) (192 pages) St. Gregory the Great. The Book of Pastoral Rule. (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir s Seminary Press, 2007) (ISBN: 978-088141-318-2) Steinke, Peter L. How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems. (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 1993, 2006) (ISBN: 978-1-56699-329-6) (146 pages) 3

Still, William, The Work of the Pastor, rev. ed. (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2010). (ISBN: 978-1-84550-573-8) Swetland, Kenneth L. Facing Messy Stuff in the Church: Case Studies for Pastors and Congregations (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2005) (ISBN: 978-0-8254-3696-3). (224 pp) Webster, Douglas D. Living in Tension: A Theology of Ministry, Vol. 1 and 2. (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2012) (ISBN: 13:978-63032-150-8) (211 pages and 225 pages) Willimon, William A. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2002) (ISBN: 0-687-04532-0) (386 pp.) The Book of Common Prayer or The Book of Common Worship Students may read supplemental material from the Pastoral Ministry Bibliography below. V. Course Requirements and Grading 1. Attendance is expected at all lectures and workshops and case sessions. Students are expected to be on time for class. 2. Students will read a minimum of 1,200 pages from all required texts and supplemental reading. Students will submit an annotated bibliography with two or three paragraphs reflecting on each book read. Do not report on the content of the book, but rather reflect on how you interacted with the material in terms of questions raised, insights gained, areas to be further explored biblically and theologically, etc. The report is to be typed (double-spaced, 12 point type). Due: noon, Monday, January 23 3. Students will write a brief two-page paper on your sense of call to ministry. Describe what you see as God s leading in your life for ministry vocation, including circumstances, affirmation from others, whether the call is firm or loose at this point. Include your fears or concerns, etc. If married, comment on the kind of support you receive from your spouse. This paper will be treated with utmost confidence by the professor and is intended to help the student process his/her call (and can be a part of the usual paper required in the ordination process for most denominations). The report is to be typed (single-spaced, 12 point type). This paper is not graded, but required. Due: January 9. (THIS MEANS THERE IS AN ASSIGNMENT FOR DAY ONE!) 4. Students will form case study groups, which will take place during lunches. Students will decide on what three cases they will discuss from the Swetland casebook (more cases available in the supplemental Swetland book). Case discussions will last at 4

least 45 minutes per case with at least three people in each group. Spouses are welcome to participate in the discussion if desired. Each student will write a two-page (singlespaced, 12 point type) reflection on each case (total: three short two-page papers). Begin with brief comments on the composition of the group as well as when and where the discussion took place. Write a brief summary of the case. Then describe the critical issues that emerged in your discussion. You may use the questions at the end of each case as a guide for the discussion. Be sure to conclude with how you would handle the situation as a pastoral leader if you were involved in the case as portrayed. The quality and depth of interaction will determine your grade. Due: January 11, 13, 14. 5. Students will prepare a paper on Four (4) Pastoral Events: Write an Order of Service (1 to 2 pp. for each service) for each of the following services: (1) Baptism, (2) Lord s Supper/Eucharist, (3) Wedding, and (4) Funeral (including interment). Please Note: On each paper, include details such as call to worship (reference to Scripture selection only [not the text written out] or brief litany), hymns and songs (titles only), responsive reading (refer to the Scripture selection only text does not need to be typed out), gist of pastoral prayer, benediction, etc. For the sermon part of the service, state the textual reference and provide an outline or summary of the sermon. The Order of Service must be the complete worship service, not just the particular event. Be concise. Complete sentences are not necessary, but cover the service from beginning to ending. Students who follow a Book of Order for these events (e.g. Book of Common Prayer, or PCUSA Book of Order) may note the section to be used in the paper, but should (1) fill in any details of how they might personalize the service as well as (2) give more details on the sermon outline/summary. The Four (4) Pastoral Events paper. Due: January 23 6. Final Exam case study essays that will pull together material from the semester. On the exam will also be a set of questions about the name and background of those in the class. Part of a pastor s job is quickly learning the names of the flock and their life stories. So begin learning about each other at every opportunity. Due: January 17 Grading: 10% - attendance and participation in class, plus completion of the call paper 30% - papers on case studies (10 points each) 20% - paper on 4 pastoral events 20% - reading total and reflections on the reading 20% - final exam 100% - The maximum total of points is 100. Point Scale: 98-100 A+; 94-97 A; 91-93 A-; 88-90 B+; 84-87 B; 81-83 B-; 78-80 C+; 74-77 C; 71-73 C-; 68-70 D+; 64-67 D; 61-63 D-; below 60 F. 5

In keeping with the grade scale defined in The Student Handbook, a grade of A is given for high excellence, B for exceeding minimal achievement, C for attaining a basic understanding of materials, D for a low passing mark indicating below basic mastery of material, and F for failing the course. NB: Plagiarism is usually not an issue in this class, but if you are interested in seeing a document defining plagiarism and giving examples, the faculty of the seminary recommends students access the information on the Indiana University website: http://indiana.edu/- wts/plagiarism.html VI. Written Work Please Note: Requirements for ALL written work: Do not put papers in any kind of binding or use a title page. Put your name on the upper right hand corner Please staple the pages of assignments. Single-space within a paragraph, and double-space between paragraphs. Footnotes are not needed. Use 12-point type; do not use a sans serif font. Papers may be handed in during class or under the door of my office (Library 119) or attach to an email. VII. Course Calendar Prior to class, Eswine, The Imperfect Pastor Kim, 7 Lessons Stott, The Living Church Written Work: Call Paper January 9 (Monday) Who is a Pastor? What Do Pastors Do? Introduction to the Class and to Each Other The Vital Importance of Names The Nature of Our Call and Issues of Pastoral Identity Internal and External Sense of Call Small Group Discussion of Call Nature of Pastoral Ministry Historical Roots and Current Practice Variety of Callings Lunch discussion of Case Study Snot Nosed Pastor (Swetland, 61-69) 6

Shaping the Worship Life of a Congregation Examine Emily Brink s book Biblical Norms for Worship Theological Norms for Worship Reflections upon the Church Year Reflections upon Audience Worship and Music within the Liturgy Special Services For Tuesday, January 10 Reading: Stott, The Living Church Written Work: Case Study Paper on the Snot Nosed Pastor January 10 (Tuesday) - What Does a Pastor Do? What Will I Lead? Discussion of Snot Nosed Pastor Preaching - The Identity and Calling of the Preacher Ways of Preaching and Impacts Preaching Context Hearing the Word The Nature and Practice of Sacraments Baptism and Lord s Supper Weddings and Funerals (Free time at lunch) Ways of Analyzing Congregations Size, Stage, Paradigm Issues of Renewal Replanting Planting Guest Speaker - Jim Harrell Overseed Ministries Styles of Church Government For Wednesday, January 11 Read: Swanson, Everlasting Life Written: Start preparing the 4 services of worship January 11 (Wednesday) Back to What Does a Pastor Do? Guiding a Church in Evangelism and Mission Discipleship and Spiritual Formation 7

Lay Leadership Development Staff Development Facing Vision Conflicts Guest Speaker Wes Sermon, NETS, Vermont Lunch Discussion of Case Study #2 Group Choice Care of Souls Pastoral Care Crisis Situations Death, Sickness, Divorce, Abuse, Mental Illness Grief and Funerals Referrals to Other Professionals Systems of Care Premarital Counseling Listening Empathy Use of Scripture and Prayer Ministry Around Death For Thursday, January 12 Read: Steinke, Healthy Congregations Write: Case Study Paper #2 January 12 (Thursday) What Else Does a Pastor Do? A Theology of Administration and Finance Practice of Administration and Finance A Theology of Stewardship Practice of Stewardship and Capital Campaigns Church Budgets and Personal Budgets Lunch Discussion of Case Study #3 (Group Choice) Multiple Paradigms for Ministry Guest Speaker - Rex Keener Grace Fellowship, Albany, NY (area) For Friday, January13 Written: Case Study Paper #3 January 13 (Friday) What Else Does a Pastor Do? How Does a Pastor Flourish? Vision and Strategic Planning Leadership Issues Conflict and Change Adaptive Change and Competing Values 8

Staff Relationships and Evaluation Ethical Issues for Pastors Money, Sex and Power (Free time at Lunch) The Spiritual Life of the Pastor Review of Pastoral Identity The Relational Web - Differentiation Time Management First Steps in the New Place Transitions and Leaving Provide Take-Home Final Exam Due, January 17 Faces Portion Due in Class Prepare Annotated Bibliography Due, January 28 Please note: topics and times may change from day to day 9