T H E O L O G Y O F M I N I S T R Y I

T H E O L O G Y O F M I N I S T R Y I 0 2 P T 5 2 8 From Memoirs of An Ordinary Pastor My father, Tom Carson, never rose very far in denominational structures, but hundreds of people...testify how much he loved them. He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday's grace was never enough. He was not a far-sighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity. He was not a gifted administrator. His journals have many, many entries bathed in tears of contrition, but his children and grandchildren remember his laughter.he much preferred to avoid controversy than to stir things up, but his own commitments to historic confessionalism were unyielding, and in ethics he was a man of principle. His own ecclesiastical circles were rather small and narrow, but his reading was correspondingly large and expansive. When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on the television, no mention in Parliament, no attention paid by the nation. In his hospital room there was no one by his bedside. There was only the quiet hiss of oxygen, vainly venting because he had stopped breathing and would never need it again. D.A. Carson I N S T R U C T O R : B U R K P A R S O N S R E F O R M E D T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A R Y, O R L A N D O F A L L 2 0 1 3

02PT528 Theology of Ministry I Instructor: Burk Parsons Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Fall 2013 Wednesdays 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm Office Hours: By appointment only (407) 328 1139 Course Description (2 Hour Course) Theology of Ministry I (2PT528) covers some of the most basic aspects of ordained gospel ministry, including the nature, calling, qualifications, and duties of the pastor, the theological vision and philosophy of gospel ministry, and the pastor s role in fulfilling the missio dei by means of the Great Commission in and through the local church around the world. Required Texts A Praying Life by Paul Miller (NavPress 2009) 279 pages Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper (Crossway 2013) 22 Center Church by Tim Keller (Zondervan 2012) 369 Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp (Crossway 2012) 224 Why Do We Have Creeds? by Burk Parsons (P&R 2012) 35 Total Reading: 929 pages Recommended Texts Between Two Worlds by John Stott (Eerdmans 1982) Concerning the True Care of Souls by Martin Bucer (Banner 2009) The Heart of a Servant Leader by John C. Miller (P&R 2004) How to Stay Christian in Seminary Blog Series (DesiringGod.org) Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon (Christian Focus 1998) Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by John C. Miller (Zondervan 1986) Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by DA Carson (Crossway 2008) The Pastor s Justification by Jared C. Wilson (Crossway 2013) Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Zondervan 1971) Course Components, Grading, and Component Descriptions Required Reading, Scripture Memory, and Quizzes 30% of grade Prayer Component 30% Story and Call to Ministry Paper 10% Philosophy of Ministry Paper 30% Required Reading, Scripture Memory, and Quizzes (30%) At the outset of class each week, students will receive a short quiz covering assigned reading from the previous week and the memorized passage of Scripture, utilizing the English Standard Version of the Bible. The quiz will include a question asking if the assigned reading has been completed in its entirety. Students will not be able to make up quizzes after quizzes have been collected at the beginning of each class, except in certain situations at the instructor s discretion. Punctuality and class attendance are essential. 2

Prayer Component (30%) Students have two options to complete this portion of the course. Option One: Following class each week, from 12pm 1pm (over lunch), students are invited to remain in the classroom with the instructor for an hour dedicated to prayer, including lecture (10 15 min), discussion (15 20 min), and prayer (20 30 min). Our lecture and discussion time will be devoted to the theology, method, and practice of prayer based on various resources, including Paul Miller s A Praying Life. Option Two: Students who are unable to attend the hour following class, or who do not wish to participate, may elect to write half-page to one-page reflective responses on each chapter of Paul Miller s A Praying Life (32 chapters), responses are due each week. Students must decide which option they elect by the end of the second week of class (August 28), and students may not change options after they have made their selection (except in certain situations at the instructor s discretion). Story and Call to Ministry Paper (10%) [5 7 page paper Due at beginning of class on September 18, 2013] The goal of this short paper is two-fold, to tell your story of God s grace in your life and to complete a necessary written component for your potential future ordination. The paper should consist of your story of grace, which may include your upbringing in a covenant home, your family history, your conversion, your trials, your fears, your hopes, and your prayers (3 4 pages) and your sense of calling to full time gospel ministry (in the church, academy, parachurch, church-planting, foreign mission field, etc.) or the place of your seeking God s wisdom for your future service to him (2 3 pages). Philosophy of Ministry Paper (30%) [14 18 page paper Due at beginning of class November 13, 2013] It is common to be asked to articulate a philosophy of ministry as part of the process of candidating for ministry positions. Ministry data forms will ask you to state your views on a variety of ministry issues. This assignment will prepare you for that eventuality, but more importantly will assist you in the process of developing your own initial thoughts regarding ministry and your sense of calling to it. Ministry is somewhat context dependent, but it is wise to have a self-assessment and convictions about biblical norms for ministry in order to faithfully carry out one s ministry in any particular context. How specific your philosophy of ministry should be to a particular context depends on many factors. If you are preparing it for a potential range of ministry opportunities, then it should not be so specific as to preclude contexts in which you are open to serving. On the other hand, if there are particular contextual features that would be deal breakers, preventing you from serving in good conscience, your philosophy of ministry should be more specific on that point. The particular components of a philosophy of ministry will be discussed during the class. The philosophy of ministry paper should be a 12 15 page paper. As part of the assignment, you must have an ordained minister read your paper and discuss it with you. Your final submission should include the content of that feedback (2 3 pages). Some of you may be preparing for ministry contexts that are not within the typical church context. You may adapt this paper to the needs of your particular ministry context. 3

Paper Particulars Papers are to be double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font (standard tracking), Turabian 8 th or Chicago 16 th (with cover page, footnotes, and bibliography), one-inch paper margins. All papers will be assessed on clarity, accuracy, formatting, and content. Late papers will be marked down ten percent per every twenty-four-hour period after 9:10 am on the due date (no exceptions). All papers must fit within the given page count. Only hardcopy papers will be accepted. The early completion and submission of your papers is highly recommended. If you wish to have the instructor s initial feedback on your papers in order to help ensure your paper is ready for submission, you must have your paper to him no less than two weeks before that particular paper is due. If you wish to receive initial feedback, the paper must be in good form and properly formatted as if you were ready to submit it. For all students seeking the instructor s initial feedback on their papers (again, submitted at least two-weeks prior to the due date) students must make that clear on the cover page of their paper with the words: Not Final Draft. Theology of Ministry 1 Calendar (Fall 2013) First Day of Class August 21 Story and Call to Ministry Paper Due September 18 (9:10 am) Reading Week October 7 11 Philosophy of Ministry Paper Due November 13 (9:10 am) Last Day of Class November 20 Thanksgiving Holiday November 27 29 Finals (There will be no final exam for this class) December 5 10 Reading Schedule 1. August 21 Center Church pp. 13 53 Dangerous Calling pp. 11 16 A Praying Life pp. 9 28 Brothers, We Are Not pp. 1 4 Scripture Memory James 3:1 2. August 28 Center Church pp. 54 88 Dangerous Calling pp. 17 40 A Praying Life pp. 29 52 Brothers, We Are Not pp. 85 91 Scripture Memory Ezek. 34:2 3. September 4 Center Church pp. 89 134 Dangerous Calling pp. 41 68 A Praying Life pp. 53 76 Brothers, We Are Not pp. 270 282 Scripture Memory Eph. 4:11 4

4. September 11 Center Church pp. 135 153 Dangerous Calling pp. 69 96 A Praying Life pp. 77 102 Brothers, We Are Not pp. 283 285 Scripture Memory Eph. 4:12 5. September 18 Center Church pp. 154 180 Dangerous Calling pp. 97 112 A Praying Life pp. 103 128 Scripture Memory John 13:35 6. September 25 Center Church pp. 181 222 Dangerous Calling pp. 113 136 A Praying Life pp. 129 164 Scripture Memory 1 Tim. 3:4 5 7. October 2 Center Church pp. 223 250 Dangerous Calling pp. 137 166 A Praying Life pp. 165 188 Scripture Memory Jude 3 8. October 16 Center Church pp. 251 290 Dangerous Calling pp. 167 198 A Praying Life pp. 189 204 Scripture Memory 2 Tim. 2:24 25a 9. October 23 Center Church pp. 291 310 Dangerous Calling pp. 199 224 A Praying Life pp. 205 220 Scripture Memory 2 Tim. 4:2 10. October 30 Center Church pp. 311 336 A Praying Life pp. 221 234 Why Do We Have Creeds? pp. 5 35 Scripture Memory Titus 2:1 11. November 6 Center Church pp. 337 354 A Praying Life pp. 235 248 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus Scripture Memory 1 Peter 5:8 12. November 13 Center Church pp. 355 382 A Praying Life pp. 249 268 Scripture Memory Rom. 1:16 17 13. November 20 LAST DAY OF CLASS 5

MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Sanctification Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. Rubric Moderate Minimal None Moderate Mini-Justification Students, using a variety of written assignments, are required to articulate a philosophy of ministry based on biblical and theological standards which have relevance in the contemporary context. Lectures draw significantly from Scripture. Students must articulate a philosophy of ministry which is justified by biblical standards. Distinctives of a Reformed view of ministry of Word and sacrament provide the foundations for this course. Students must articulate an understanding of this approach. A significant proportion of time is spent on the subject and processes of self-knowledge as they relate to ministry. Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed Preach Worship Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Moderate Minimal Moderate Students theology of ministry must be articulated in terms of the church s and the ministry s larger role in society. Alternative viewpoints within Reformed parameters as well as those selectively outside of it are acknowledge and explained charitably. Students will be challenged to consider how preaching fits within the larger framework of a philosophy of ministry. Worship as a responsibility area of the minister will be presented and reflected upon in assignments. Shepherd Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Church/World Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. The role of minister as shepherd predominates class presentations and must be reflected upon in all written assignments. Students must relate their philosophy of ministry to their specific ministry contexts. 6