Course Code: BMM03

Ministerial Formation of a Christian Minister

BD I, Semester II, 2 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Objectives

• To help students shape their identity as ministers of the gospel within the tradition of the ministry of the church.
• To help students care for themselves psychologically and spiritually and grow to the fullness that God desires of them.
• To provide the basic skills in interpersonal communication so that they can relate to people effectively and meaningfully.
• To equip the students to care for persons and families with understanding of the structure and dynamics of the human personality and the systemic nature of families.
• To equip the students to analyze and understand the structure and dynamics of local communities so that the mission and ministry of the local congregations may be appropriately guided.

Methods of Teaching

• Lectures
• Group Discussions
• Workshops
• Exposure to local parishes

Course Requirements

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline

I. Understanding the Nature of Christian Ministry

1. Christian ministry as participation in God’s ministry in Jesus
2. Christian ministry as the continuation of the ministries of the disciples and the early church
3. Christian ministry as the diversified ministries of the people of God
4. Christian ministry in the context of the struggles of life
5. Christian ministry as manifestation and witness of the reign of God in the oikoumene

II. Understanding the Vocation of Christian Ministers

1. Call to Ministry: Biblical Perspectives
2. Call to Ministry: Ecclesiastical Perspective
3. Christian vocation as discerning the call of God and responding in faith and commitment
4. Christian ministers as grounded in Christian Scripture and informed by tradition and experience
5. Christian ministers as disciples of Christ
6. Christian ministers as exemplary leaders
7. Christian ministers manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in life

III. The Formation of a Christian Minister

1. Formative spiritual practices
   1. Knowing God and knowing oneself
   2. The practice of prayer, intercession, contemplation, fasting and other spiritual exercises
   3. Devotion and study of the Bible
   4. Corporate worship and spiritual practices of the community
   5. Spiritual growth through Christian fellowship
2. Emotional maturity
   1. Being sensitive to one’s emotions and express them appropriately
   2. Maturity to recognize, process, and overcome negative emotions
3. Intellectual maturity (Cognitive)
   1. Willingness to understand people and situations without prejudice
   2. Commitment to respect people and opinions different from us
   3. Ability to take responsibility for one’s opinions and decisions
4. Maturity in Interpersonal Relationships
   1. Commitment to appreciate and encourage others
   2. Commitment to care for people compassionately
   3. Commitment to bring about reconciliation and justice
   4. Commitment to develop non-abusive and non-exploitative relationships
   5. Commitment to transcend unjust boundaries
   6. Commitment to transparency, integrity, and honesty
   7. Commitment to acknowledge and resolve conflicts justly
   8. Commitment to be open to criticism and respect dissent
   9. Commitment to overcome unfair criticism by keeping the channels of communication open
5. Envisioning creative prophetic alternatives
   1. Reflect critically on unjust and sinful social practices, relations and structures in the light of the vision of the reign of God to humanize them
   2. Reflect critically on the life, structure and ministry of the church and Christian institutions in the light of the vision of the reign of God to transform them
   3. Reflect critically on the distress of the whole creation in the light of the redeemed earth and strive for ecological wholeness
   4. Reflect critically on one’s assumptions, values, worldviews and social constructions in the light of the vision of the reign of God and strive to become part of the new humanity in Christ

IV. Ministers as Care-Receivers

1. Dealing with super-human syndrome and burn out syndrome
2. Recognize the need for care for oneself and the family
3. Develop fellowship of care, support and mentoring of the minister and family in the ministry setting
4. Seek care from the support groups

V. Ministry and Mission in Local Congregations and Communities

1. Understanding the structure and dynamics of the local congregation
2. Understanding the structure and dynamics of the local community
3. Locating the local parish within the local community
4. The practice of the ministry of the local parish in the context of the local community

Bibliography

Essential Readings

• Coate, M.A. Clergy’s Stress: Hidden Conflicts in Ministry. London: SPCK, 1990.
• Clifford, P.R. The Pastoral Calling. New York: Channel Press, 1961.
• Faber, H and Ebelvan Van der School. The Art of Pastoral Conversation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1980.
• Hulme, W.E., M.L. Brekke and W.C. Behrens. Works in Ministry. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1985.

Suggested Readings

• Capps, D. Young Clergy: A Biographical Developmental Study. New York: The Haworth Pastoral Press, 2005.
• Christopher, E.M., and Larry E. Smith. Leadership Training: A Source Book of Activities. Bangalore: Viva Books, 1999.
• Connolly, F.B. Growth in Priesthood. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 1986.
• Eslinger, R.L. Narrative and Imagination. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1995.
• Greidanus, S. The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text. Leicester: Intervarsity Press, 2000.
• Haughton, R. The Liberated Heart. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1975.
• Irvine, A.R. Between Two Worlds. London: Mowbray, 1997.
• Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1968.
• Peterson, Eugene. The Contemplative Pastor. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1993.
• Ramsay, N.J. Pastoral Diagnosis. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998.
• Richardson, R.W. Creating a Healthier Church. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.
• Robinson, H.W. Expository Preaching. Leicester: Intervarsity Press, 1986.
• Rueter, A.C. Making Good Preaching Better. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1997.
• Schillebeeckx, E. Ministry: A Case for Change. London: SCM Press, 1981.
• Speck, Peter. Being There: Pastoral Care in Times of Illness. London: SPCK, 1995.
• Spirey, R.V. Preaching the Word. Madras: CLS, 1967.
• Spurgeon, C.H. Lectures to my Students. Grand Rapids: Associated Publishers.
• Stage, John de. Letters to an Ordained: A Study in Vocation. London: SPCK, 1976.
• Thomas, M.M. The Gospel of Forgiveness and Koinonia. Delhi: ISPCK, 1994.
• Tiller, John. A Strategy for the Church’s Ministry. London: CIO Publishing, 1985.
• Tisdale, L.T. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997.
• Torrance, T.F. Royal Priesthood. Edinburgh: T&T Clark Ltd., 1999.
• Van Dooren, L.A.T. Stepping in and Stepping out. Camforth: Lotiner Publishing Co., 1978.
• Wand, W. Letters on Preaching. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1974.

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