Fall 2016 Pastoral Theology COURSE MEETING PLACE: This course meets at Grace Baptist Church, 1300 Ceitus Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida, 33991. COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Tom Ascol, Senior Pastor (Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL) Email: tomascol@mac.com Dr. Jared Longshore, Associate Pastor (Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL) Email: jaredrlongshore@gmail.com COURSE DESCRIPTION This course will introduce the work of pastoral ministry by looking at its biblical foundations, theological concerns and practical responsibilities. Students will also interact with classic literature in the field of pastoral ministry. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: The aim of this course is for students to achieve the following: 1. An understanding of the qualifications for pastoral ministry. 2. An understanding of the scope and nature of pastoral ministry. 3. An understanding of the call and the role of the pastor COMPETENCIES Spiritual Formation: Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue an authentically Christian way of life, manifested by trust in God, obedience to Christ s commands, and love of God and neighbor. [Course SLO: 1] Biblical Exposition: Demonstrate the ability to properly and effectively interpret, apply, and communicate the Scriptures. [Course SLO: 2, 3] Theological Integration: Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply the doctrines of Christianity to life and ministry. [Course SLO: 4, 5] 1
Ministry Preparation: Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and Christian disposition necessary for ministry and leadership in the church and the world. [Course SLO: 6, 7] Critical Thinking and Communication: Demonstrate the ability to think critically, argue persuasively, and communicate clearly. [Course SLO: 8] REQUIREMENTS 1. READING These texts are required reading to be completed by assigned dates during course 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Apostle Paul Lectures to My Students, Charles H. Spurgeon Dear Timothy, Thomas Ascol, ed. Pastor s Handbook Kent Hughes Recommended Reading The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges And Earnest Ministry, John Angell James The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry, John Piper The Cross and Christian Ministry, Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians, D. A. Carson Living by Revealed Truth: The Life and Pastoral Theology of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Tom Nettles A Portrait of Paul: Identifying a True Minister of Christ, Rob Ventura and Jeremy Walker 2. WRITING (40% of course grade) The three writing assignments for this course are listed below and must be double-spaced, 12pt New Times Roman font, with a title page: a) TWO BOOK REVIEWS (each worth 10% of course grade for a total of 20%) Students are required to write two book reviews. The first is on Tom Ascol s Dear Timothy. The other can be taken from the Recommended Reading list. The reviews should be analytical and not merely descriptive. They should include a summary of at least 3 pages and personal application (how I will put what I learned from this book into practice) of at least 2 pages. b) TWO REFLECTION PAPERS (each worth 10% of course grade for a total of 20%) Students are required to write two reflection papers, at least 5 pages in length, during the course of the semester on two of the following topics: Qualifications for Pastoral Ministry, The Pastor as a Theologian, The Pastor as a Shepherd, The Pastor as Defender of the Faith, The Pastor and Preaching, The Pastor s Inner Life, The Pastor and Counseling, The Pastor and Discipleship, Baptism and the Lord s Supper, The Pastor s Role in Gathered Worship. 3. CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION (20% of course grade) Students are expected to come to each class having read the assigned readings and prepared to take part in discussion. Textbooks and Bible should be brought to class. The course will include at least 24 hours of classroom instruction. 4. 4 QUIZZES (40% of course grade) Come to each class prepared to be quizzed over the previous class lectures and assignments. The highest 3 quiz grades will count towards your overall grade. 2
5. SCRIPTURE MEMORY It is vital for a pastor to hide God s Word in his heart. Therefore, to help in the process the student will be allowed to earn 10% of the final grade by memorizing four Scripture passages. For this course, select 4 chapters from the books of Titus or 1 and 2 Timothy. 6. EXTRA CREDIT BOOK REVIEW With the prior approval of the professor students may read and review a book (or more than one book with a combined minimum of 200 total pages) from the Recommended Reading list or bibliography. The 1000 word extra credit review must be turned in via email or regular mail by December 1. Up to 10 additional points can be added to the final grade from this review. The student is expected to spend a minimum of 2 hours per week completing work outside of class for every 1 credit hour of this class. The requirements (i.e., reading, writing, sermon prep, etc.) of this class are planned according to this expectation. GRADING: A = 95-100 B = 87-94 C = 77-86 D = 70-76 F = 0-69 (1) The student is expected to spend no less than 2 hours of out-of-class work per credit hour in this class. (2) This syllabus is meant to accurately reflect all expectations and assignments for this course. However, the professor reserves the right to adjust the syllabus at his discretion. (3) Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in an immediate failing grade on the assignment with no chance for resubmission. The professor does have the option either to allow the student to remain in and complete the course or to dismiss the student from the course completely. Topics & Course Schedule Wk Date Lecture Topic and Reading Assignment Due 1 Aug 29 3 Sep 12 5 Sep 26 7 Oct 10 Class introduction Prolegomena What is a Pastor? Terms and Portraits Where do Pastors come from? They are called They are qualified A Pastor s self-perception Theologian of the People Preacher of the Word Shepherd of the Flock Defender of the Faith QUIZ #1 QUIZ #2 1st Book Review Due QUIZ #3 1st Reflection Paper Due 3
9 Oct 24 11 Nov 7 13 Nov 21 A Pastor s Inner Life His devotion His mindset Reformation Accommodation His emotional life A Pastor s Center Jesus Christ (Part 1) Christ Determines Our Message A Pastor s Center Jesus Christ (Part 2) Christ Determines Our Ministry QUIZ #4 2nd Book Review Due 2nd Reflection Paper Due Bibliography Armstrong, John H., ed. Reforming Pastoral Ministry: Challenges for Ministry in Postmodern Times. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2001. Ascol, Thomas K., ed. Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2004. Azurdia, Arturo G. III. Spirit Empowered Preaching: The Vitality of the Holy Spirit in Preaching. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 1998. Baxter, Richard. The Reformed Pastor: A Pattern for Personal Growth and Ministry. James M. Houston, ed. Portland: Multnomah, 1982. Bonar, Horatius. Words to Winners of Souls. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1995. Boston, Thomas. The Art of Manfishing: A Puritan s View of Evangelism. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 1998. Bridges, Charles. The Christian Ministry: with an Inquiry into the Causes of its Inefficiency. Repr. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1967. Cook, Faith. Samuel Rutherford and His Friends. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1992. Dawn, Marva J. and Eugene H. Peterson. The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call. Peter Santucci, ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Edwards, Jonathan. The Salvation of Souls: Nine Previously Unpublished Sermons on the Call of Ministry and the Gospel. Richard A. Bailey and Gregory A. Wills, eds. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2002. Gregory the Great, St. Pastoral Care. Henry Davis, S.J., trans. New York: Newman Press, 1978. Griffin, Edward D. A Tearful Farewell from a Faithful Pastor. Amityville, NY: Calvary Press, 1993. 4
Herbert, George. A Priest to the Temple, Or, The Country Parson. London: Canterbury Press, 2003. James, John Angell. Church Member s Guide: Christian Fellowship. Vestavia Hills, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2003. (reprint). An Earnest Ministry: The Want of the Times. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1993. Kistler, Dr. Don, ed. The Christian Pastor s Manual: A Selection of Tracts on the Duties, Difficulties, and Encouragements of the Christian Ministry. Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 2003. Peterson, Eugene H. The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.. Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1980.. Take and Read: Spiritual Reading: An Annotated List. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.. Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Intergrity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. Philip, William, ed. The Practical Preacher: Practical Wisdom for the Pastor-Teacher. London: The Proclamation Trust, 2002. Piper, John. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002.. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990. Spring, Gardiner. The Power of the Pulpit. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1986. Spencer, Ichabod. A Pastor s Sketches: Conversations With Anxious Souls Concerning the Way of Salvation. 2 vols. Vestavia Hills, AL: Solid Ground Christian Books, 2001. Spurgeon, C. H. An All-Round Ministry. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2000.. Lectures to My Students. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1974. Stewart, James S., D.D. Heralds of God. London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., 1948. Watts, Isaac. An Exhortation to Ministers. Choteau, MT: Old Paths Gospel Press. Witsuis, Herman. On the Character of a True Theologian. Greenville, SC: Reformed Academic Press, 1994. 5