PC128-812 - Pastoral Ministry in Reformed Churches

  • 3,432 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • Pastoral & Church-Focussed Ministry Unit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of Reformed churches and the Reformed tradition.

B. Be able to

1. Analyse the key distinctives of pastoral ministry in the Reformed tradition.

2. Critically Analyse the distinctive beliefs and culture of the Reformed tradition.

3. Assess, with reference to the students’ own congregation, contemporary issues and opportunities in pastoral ministry.

4. Evaluate evidence-based perspectives on historic and contemporary Reformed church ministry and Evaluate the practices of their own church in relation to them.

5. Articulate their own experience and theology of call to pastoral ministry.

C. Be in a position to

1. Apply knowledge, skills and perspectives from ‘Pastoral Ministry in Reformed Churches’ to contemporary pastoral ministry

Content

SECTION A: Foundations (four weeks online)
1. Introduction to pastoral ministry. A consideration of what is meant by pastoral ministry, calling to ministry and ministry gifts.
2. Being Reformed. Key emphases and streams of Reformed Theology; experiential Calvinism; the Confessions and reasons for a confessional church; confessional subscription.
3. Ordination. Biblical, theological and historic understandings of ordination; the practice of ordination in Reformed churches


SECTION B: Ministry Practice (one week intensive)
4. Life as a Pastor. The pastoral task and priorities in pastoral ministry; realities of pastoral ministry; the spiritual life of the pastor; burnout and causes of pastoral failure; stress, anxiety, depression, boundaries.
5. The History of Reformed Churches in Aust/NZ. Immigration and immigrant churches; trends, emphases and issues; growth and decline; the life-cycle of churches; the place of Reformed churches in the spiritual landscape of Australia/NZ; current trajectories, mission and future opportunities.
6. Leadership in Reformed Churches. Past and present leadership paradigms; the role of pastor in different paradigms; team ministry; leadership structures; the relationship of pastors and elders.
7. Denominational commitments. Reformed Church polity and Church Order; church discipline; traditional practices of Reformed churches.
8. Passing on the Faith. The practices of catechism and confessional preaching; Church membership and profession of faith.
9. Theological issues. Key issues arising concerning from the Confessions; a consideration of controversial theological issues in the churches.

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:
Either:
Reformed Churches of Australia. Book of Forms (Geelong, Victoria: Reformed Churches Publishing House, 1991)
Or:
Reformed Churches of New Zealand. Forms and Confessions of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (New Zealand: National Publishing Committee of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand, 1994)


Recommended:
Ash, Christopher, Zeal Without Burnout (Good Book Company, 2016)
Beeke, J. R., Puritan Reformed Spirituality: A Practical Theological Study from our Reformed and Puritan Heritage (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 2006)
Coekin, Richard, Gospel DNA (Good Book Company, 2017)
Dever, M., Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (3rd ed.; Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2013)
Eswine, Zack, The Imperfect Pastor (Wheaton: Crossway, 2015)
Hamilton, I., What is Experiential Calvinism? (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Reformation Heritage Books, 2015)
Harvey, David T. Am I called?: The Summons to Pastoral Ministry (Wheaton, Crossway, 2012)
Johnstone, P., The Future of the Global Church: History, Trends and Possibilities (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP, 2011)
Keller, Timothy, Centre Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012)
Marshall, C. and T. Payne, The Vine Project (Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2016)
Murray, David, Reset: Living a Grace-paced Life in a Burnout Culture (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017)
Piggin, S., Spirit, Word and World: Evangelical Christianity in Australia (3rd ed.; Sydney: Acorn Press, 2012)
Reinke, Tony, Newton on the Christian Life: To Live is Christ (Wheaton: Crossway, 2015)
Tripp, P., Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2012)

Available At

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