Grad Project Seminar
The Graduate Project and Seminar is a required course for the M.Div. program. This course will provide the student with an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of a question or issue in ministry that has captured the student’s imagination. The project will be based in a
research context chosen by the student within which the project is developed, executed and
evaluated. Students will become familiar with current trends in qualitative research methodologies. They will also sharpen their capacity to analyze a phenomenon in ministry. Participants are expected to produce a piece of novel research—and present these insights in a public forum—that has consequence for the student and the wider church.
The Graduate Project and Seminar is a required course for the M.Div. program. This course will provide the student with an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of a question or issue in ministry that has captured the student’s imagination. The project will be based in a
research context chosen by the student within which the project is developed, executed and
evaluated. Students will become familiar with current trends in qualitative research methodologies. They will also sharpen their capacity to analyze a phenomenon in ministry. Participants are expected to produce a piece of novel research—and present these insights in a public forum—that has consequence for the student and the wider church.
Pastoral Foundations
The purpose of this course is to explore the importance of meaning, connection and relationship in the lives of those with whom we will minister. At its heart, Pastoral Foundations is designed to assist participants in developing their identity for the ministry of spiritual care. Through the vehicle of pastoral foundations we will lay the basis for the deep work of “curing souls.” We will investigate how the Word of God emerges, develops, and is responded to in the pastoral life of the individuals and Christian Community. Together, we will seek to understand how we are formed and informed about ourselves as people and as spiritual care providers. We will also examine who we are as people who bear responsibility as leaders, particularly as we work with those who seek support and guidance in times of stress and transition. During this semester we will focus on theories of pastoral diagnosis, psychology, ethics and
leadership.
The purpose of this course is to explore the importance of meaning, connection and relationship in the lives of those with whom we will minister. At its heart, Pastoral Foundations is designed to assist participants in developing their identity for the ministry of spiritual care. Through the vehicle of pastoral foundations we will lay the basis for the deep work of “curing souls.” We will investigate how the Word of God emerges, develops, and is responded to in the pastoral life of the individuals and Christian Community. Together, we will seek to understand how we are formed and informed about ourselves as people and as spiritual care providers. We will also examine who we are as people who bear responsibility as leaders, particularly as we work with those who seek support and guidance in times of stress and transition. During this semester we will focus on theories of pastoral diagnosis, psychology, ethics and
leadership.
Foundations of Youth Ministry and Adolescent Spirituality
This course combines the practical and the theoretical, and will examine the personal, moral, social and religious development of adolescents and implications for ministry. Embedded deeply in the theological turn in youth ministry, this course explores the worlds of adolescent, crises that youth face, adolescent spirituality and the practice of holistic youth ministry. We will help clarify leadership styles and develop effective strategies for youth ministry, including practicing discernment with youth, program development, teaching, worshipping with youth and equipping congregations for for youth ministry.
This course combines the practical and the theoretical, and will examine the personal, moral, social and religious development of adolescents and implications for ministry. Embedded deeply in the theological turn in youth ministry, this course explores the worlds of adolescent, crises that youth face, adolescent spirituality and the practice of holistic youth ministry. We will help clarify leadership styles and develop effective strategies for youth ministry, including practicing discernment with youth, program development, teaching, worshipping with youth and equipping congregations for for youth ministry.
Worship Foundations
Worship beats at the heart of every Christian community. This course will explore worship as a ‘practice’ of Christian discipleship, looking primarily at elements of various worship traditions and styles. We will examine the work of the ecumenical movement and its implications for worship. We will also look at some of the current issues in liturgy and music which churches face and consider questions of hospitality in worship with different ages, cultures and theological convictions. In worship labs, we will attend to the skills and presence needed by worship leaders and presiders.
Worship beats at the heart of every Christian community. This course will explore worship as a ‘practice’ of Christian discipleship, looking primarily at elements of various worship traditions and styles. We will examine the work of the ecumenical movement and its implications for worship. We will also look at some of the current issues in liturgy and music which churches face and consider questions of hospitality in worship with different ages, cultures and theological convictions. In worship labs, we will attend to the skills and presence needed by worship leaders and presiders.
Theologies of Play
Play and creativity are not simply what we do when we have extra time on our hands, but integral to the practice of ministry. The capacity to deploy imagination and play is inherently within us, and this course explores how to connect with our creative play in our own callings as people of God. Our exploration will take us into the thought of structuralist and phenomenlogical understandings of play and imagination, including the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer, Hugo Rahner, Paul Ricouer, D.W. Winnicott and Jerome Berryman. We will engage in pastoral theological reflection on the nature and source of creativity as well as its contribution to the practice of ministry, including pastoral care, counseling, and education.
Play and creativity are not simply what we do when we have extra time on our hands, but integral to the practice of ministry. The capacity to deploy imagination and play is inherently within us, and this course explores how to connect with our creative play in our own callings as people of God. Our exploration will take us into the thought of structuralist and phenomenlogical understandings of play and imagination, including the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer, Hugo Rahner, Paul Ricouer, D.W. Winnicott and Jerome Berryman. We will engage in pastoral theological reflection on the nature and source of creativity as well as its contribution to the practice of ministry, including pastoral care, counseling, and education.
Congregational Leadership and Change
Today, all churches live out their ministries within the context of cultural change. For effective mission congregational leaders, both lay and ministry personnel, need to
equip themselves in new ways. This course examines the nature of change and its
impact on congregations, particularly in the Atlantic region. Throughout the course,
students will learn processes needed for leading congregations through intentional
change. They will analyze the ethos, values and prevailing theological understandings of
typical Atlantic congregations, examine ways congregations deal with conflict, and assess
their own level of readiness for leadership in times of institutional change.
Today, all churches live out their ministries within the context of cultural change. For effective mission congregational leaders, both lay and ministry personnel, need to
equip themselves in new ways. This course examines the nature of change and its
impact on congregations, particularly in the Atlantic region. Throughout the course,
students will learn processes needed for leading congregations through intentional
change. They will analyze the ethos, values and prevailing theological understandings of
typical Atlantic congregations, examine ways congregations deal with conflict, and assess
their own level of readiness for leadership in times of institutional change.
Coming to Faith Coming to Faith is a theological exploration of how is faith experienced throughout the
life cycle. It uses a thematic approach rather than solely structural/developmental one, incorporating traditional and contemporary expressions of faith formation in the church community and family settings. The course will engage students in writing their faith histories to explore theological themes such as trust, doubt, play, identity, estrangement and hope. It will consider contributions of socialization theorists, developmentalists, and moral theologians concerned with character formation, as well as biblical and historical understandings of nurture, conversion and sanctification.
life cycle. It uses a thematic approach rather than solely structural/developmental one, incorporating traditional and contemporary expressions of faith formation in the church community and family settings. The course will engage students in writing their faith histories to explore theological themes such as trust, doubt, play, identity, estrangement and hope. It will consider contributions of socialization theorists, developmentalists, and moral theologians concerned with character formation, as well as biblical and historical understandings of nurture, conversion and sanctification.
Gender and Ministry
How does gender matter in the practice of ministry? What is the function of gender in the theological thinking of the church? To explore these questions and others related to the role of social location in pastoral theology, this course will examine biblical, historical and theological sources on perceptions and roles of women and men in the church. In the church the discussion on gender usually focuses on the role of women in leadership, as the role of men is a given. This course, however, reflects the issues and concerns of both genders serving together in ministry. We will address such topics as 1) the debate on gender differences; 2) how various feminist theologies (womanist, mujerista, minjung, girlfriend theology, etc.) inform practice; 3) ordination and the authorization of women’s ministries, the “stained glass ceiling”; and 4) how to minister to men and women in a way that is liberating, empowering, and consistent with Christian discipleship and community.
How does gender matter in the practice of ministry? What is the function of gender in the theological thinking of the church? To explore these questions and others related to the role of social location in pastoral theology, this course will examine biblical, historical and theological sources on perceptions and roles of women and men in the church. In the church the discussion on gender usually focuses on the role of women in leadership, as the role of men is a given. This course, however, reflects the issues and concerns of both genders serving together in ministry. We will address such topics as 1) the debate on gender differences; 2) how various feminist theologies (womanist, mujerista, minjung, girlfriend theology, etc.) inform practice; 3) ordination and the authorization of women’s ministries, the “stained glass ceiling”; and 4) how to minister to men and women in a way that is liberating, empowering, and consistent with Christian discipleship and community.