PC092-712 - Congregational Field Education

  • 2,853 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • Pastoral & Church-Focussed Ministry Unit Discipline

Corequisites

96cps of study, including 36 cps at AQF level 6

Exclusions

Students may only take 24cps of "field education" units in all fields within a course.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of the dimensions of and practical issues Related to congregational leadership and management, including the methods and standards of professional, safe and ethical practice

 

 

 

B. Be able to

1. Discuss the issues Related to congregational leadership and management

2. Under supervision, Observe leadership and management in a local congregation

3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on congregational leadership and management

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Congregational Field Education’ to congregational leadership and management as a reflective practitioner

Content

Section A:  Theoretical Study

  1. An introduction to the planning and conduct of church services and other programmes connected with the life and work of a local congregation, and the pastoral opportunities they represent.
  2. A basic study of church administration, including the role of ordained ministers, church secretary, treasurer and other leaders; church organisations; the conduct of business meetings.
  3. Ministers as pro-active leaders and managers; strategy and goal-setting; appropriate leadership styles for different situations; anticipating and managing conflict.
  4. Ministers as agents of social change; the local church in the local community.

Section B:  Field Work

  1. The supervisory relationship; the supervisory session; learning covenants; evaluation; Field Committees.
  2. EITHER

not less than 117 hours’ experience (with supervision) in a local congregation.
OR
a period of continuous residence (with supervision) of not less than six weeks’ duration in a local congregation.

In all cases:

  1. Approximately 117 hours are to be spent in actual ministry, including preparation for and participation in the conduct of regular church services, and involvement in some aspect of the congregation’s service to its community;
  2. Approximately 17hrs are to be spent in reflection and the writing of reports and verbatims for supervisors. Such reflection must include comments from local congregation leaders;
  3. Approximately 13 hours are to be spent in theoretical study;
  4. Approximately 13 hours are to be spent meeting with an approved supervisor on an individual basis.

 

Section A should entail approximately 12–14 class hours, at an introductory level only.

If PC412/612 has been or is currently being taken, topic 1 need not be studied formally.

If PC435/635 has been or is currently being taken, topics 2–4 need not be studied formally.

Further Information

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC442.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed:

Bass, D. C. (Ed.). For Life Abundant: Practical Theology, Theological Education, and Christian Ministry (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2008).

Johnson, A., Shaping Spiritual Leaders: Supervision and Formation in Congregations (Herndon, VA: Alan, 2007).

Malphurs, A., A New Kind of Church: Understanding Models of Ministry for the 21st Century (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2007).

 

Recommended:

Allen, R. J., Preaching and Practical Ministry (St. Louis: Chalice, 2001).

Brian, P. R., Going the Distance: How to Stay Fit for a Lifetime of Ministry (Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2006).

Carl, W. J. (ed.). Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry from 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009).

Carroll, J. W., God’s Potters: Pastoral Leadership and the Shaping of Congregations (Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 2006).

Drane, J. W., After McDonaldization: Mission, Ministry and Christian Discipleship in an Age of Uncertainty (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2008).

Elias, J. W. Remembering the Future: The Pastoral Theology of Paul the Apostle (Scottsdale, PA: Herald, 2006).

Herrington, J., R. R. Creech and T. Taylor, The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2003).

Hillman, G. M., Preparing for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Theological Field Education (Grand Rapids, Mich: Kregel, 2008).

Hotchkiss, D., Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008).

Laniak, T. S., Shepherds after my Heart: Pastoral Traditions and Leadership in the Bible (Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 2006).

Piper, J. B., We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2002).

Steinke, P. L., Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Steinke, P. L., Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach (Herndon, VA: Alban, 2006).

Stott, J. R. W., The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (Nottingham: IVP, 2007).

Tidball, D. J., Ministry by the Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership (Nottingham: Apollos, 2008).

Thompson, J., Pastoral Ministry According to Paul: A Biblical Vision (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker, 2006).

Willimon, W. H., Calling and Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Willimon, W. H., Pastor: A Reader for Ordained Ministry (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Wood, C. M., Attentive to God: Thinking Theologically about Ministry (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2008).

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