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This course will aid students to develop competency in pastoral ministry through a study of being called to a church, beginning a pastoral ministry, building relationships, leading a church, and leaving a church field. Practical ministry matters, as well as theological and philosophical considerations, will include training in planning preaching, administrating the ordinances, performing weddings, conducting funerals and ordinations, visiting, counseling, and sustaining spiritual growth.
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
Topics include:
1. Pastoral Epistles as an inspired working manual for Pastoral Ministry.
2. Theology of Pastoral Ministry and Christian Shepherding
3. Philosophy of Pastoral Ministry
4. Praying in Services and at Other Places and Times
5. Preaching and Worship Services: Preparing and Planning
6. Administering Sacraments, Performing Funerals, Weddings, and Ordinations
7. Witnessing and Equipping; Visiting and Counseling
8. Servant Leadership and Church Administration
9. Interpersonal Relationships and Skills (Deacon, Staff, Community, and Family)
10. Managing Change and Reviving a Church; Problem Solving, Planning, Decision Making, and Conflict Management
11. Scheduling and Time Management; Spiritual Life, Finances/Stewardship, and Personal Growth
12. Ministry, Technology, and Social Networking
13. Managing Facilities, Austere Times, and Ministry Transitions; Conflicted Church Situations and Relationships (Present and Future)
14. The Call to a New Work; Ending Responsibilities and Making New Commitments; Ending Pastoral Ministry with a Church, Turning over Files and Transition, Continuing
Relationships and Returning
Through lectures, demonstrated examples, class interaction, group discussion, reading and assignments.
Letter Grade Mark% (Credit Points)
A 80-100 (4.0): Excellent
B+ 75-79 (3.5): Very Good
B 70-74 (3.0): Good
C+ 65-69 (2.5): Satisfactory
F Below 65 (0.0): Fail
Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, including examinations, quizzes, take-home assignments, term papers, participation in classes and seminars, field reports, video-recorded demonstrations, etc.
For Campus students and those receiving lectures via Zoom, due to the concentrated nature of the lectures, three unexcused class absence will reduce final grade by a letter grade. A 4th unexcused absence will result in an additional research assignment required for a passing grade. A 5th unexcused absence will result in a failing grade.
All research papers and theses are to follow: (i) Kate L. Turabian A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations OR (ii) American Psychological Association (APA) Style.
1. Font & Font Size: Times New Roman, 12 point
2. Double space
3. 1-inch margins (File – Page Setup – Margins)
4. Indent paragraphs 0.5 inch (Format– Paragraph – Indent left)
5. Page numbers – lower center or upper right –beginning with the first page of text, but not on title page; Arabic numbers only (e.g., 1, 2; not Roman numerals); no other header or footer
6. Title page; then title again on page one (for formal papers)
7. In essay-type papers, ALWAYS write logically, persuasively, focused on the assigned topic; include a succinct introduction that informs the reader concerning the subject of your paper, and a succinct conclusion that summarizes your main points and expresses your resulting conclusion.
8. Use footnotes rather than endnotes, except in dissertation/thesis, where section endnotes are also acceptable.
9. All work should be proofread, as errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax will reduce assignment grade.
Plagiarism is against Daniel Institute policy, and any act of plagiarism will result in disciplinary action up to student dismissal from further study at Daniel Institute. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to quoting materials without proper citing or reference, cutting and pasting of online and other materials requires proper citing via quotation marks and footnote.
The final exam will consist of short answer questions as well as semi-essay questions. The reading and the classes are your means of preparation.
For candidates writing their examinations outside the main Daniel Institute campus, a proctor will be required. A proctor is a person who oversees an exam. He or she will typically verify a student’s identity by checking a photo ID and then ensures academic integrity guidelines are followed during the exam. The exam will be mailed to the proctor in PDF format. The proctor will need to print your exam, and preferably have access to a scanner to submit your exam. 3. When you have completed your exam, your proctor may either 1) scan and upload your exam to the DI Learning platform or mail to the relevant address provided. This format requires you handwrite your responses on the exam itself.
Assignments can be submitted electronically through the Drop Box tool in Triport (or any other means endorsed by the lecturer). Paper submissions should be in either .doc, .docx or .pdf format. Submitting your work through drop box (or any other means prescribed by the lecturer) is considered a formal (and final) submission. Assignments may be returned to you electronically, in most cases via email. If your assignment was graded by hand, it will be scanned and delivered to you as a PDF file. Remember to use a full heading, including your name, professor, course, and date.
Always give biblical references in the text of your paper. For example, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1; NRSV) Include the translation only if you are quoting a scripture that is different than NIV. For example, John pointed men to the Messiah (John 1:7).
All essays and term paper must start with the required cover format. A single page number starts on the first page of the paper on the right side of the upper header.
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