Theology of Ministry Syllabus

(DM801, RTS-Charlotte)

July 28-Aug 1, 2014

Gerrit S. Dawson, D.Min, Professor

Course Summary: Our focus in this required study of the Biblical theology of ministry will be through an unlikely Scriptural lens: the deep meaning of blessing in the Bible as transformative communion with the Triune God and one another. While examining a variety of Biblical motifs for ministry, we will concentrate intently on the pastor as the blessing catalyst in the congregation. The minister leads the church in receiving, returning and reflecting the blessing love of God. These three aspects of the Biblical blessing dynamic will be coordinated with Christ’s offices of Prophet, Priest and King. So we will consider our participation as ministers in Christ’s continuing ministry.

Course Description: The goal of the course is to refresh pastors in their ministry situations. This renewal will occur through

  • The rich reading and focused writing done prior to class.
  • A lively, interactive week of considering deeply our Reformed theology of ministry and how our personal theology of ministry grows faithfully from those roots.
  • Student presentations and subsequent discussion will yield practical applications of Biblical principles for specific ministry situations.
  • The integrative paper after class will enable students to reflect on how their deepened theological understanding of ministry has resulted in improved practice.

Before Class:

1) Complete the Assigned Reading. You will be asked to sign a statement of your reading on the first day of class.

Note: Read A Guide to the Blessing Life one day at a time, beginning at least 21 days before class.

2) Choose one to three Biblical terms, images or phrases related to leadership in the community of God’s people. Prepare a sheet with at least 10 total Scriptural pericopes related to these images. You can pick obvious ones or obscure ones, images and phrases related to Christ and/or to his ministers. You will be working with these images and phrases in class and your paper.

Email your selection to Dr. Dawson by July 25.

For example, Shepherd: Ezekiel 34: 1-10, John 10: 1-30; I Peter 5: 1-5

Watchmen: Isaiah 62: 6-7; Ezekiel 3: 16-17; Hebrews 13: 17

3) Choose a challenging ministry situation which you would like to explore more deeply via this course. Write a paragraph describing what’s involved. This could be a situation with a congregant, an issue related to church direction, an analysis of a program, a conflict, or even the way weekly worship works. You choose!

Email your paragraph to Dr. Dawson by July 25.

In Class:

In addition to presentation by the professor, students will engage discussion of readings and ministry situations. Each student will have opportunity to do further reflection and research on his leadership images/phrases and ministry situation before leading a 30 minute presentation/discussion with the class.

After Class:

Using the work you already did in preparation for class and the work you did during the class week, write a 5000-7000 word paper expressing your theology of ministry. Show how this theology is expressed through the Biblical images/phrases you chose and in context with Reformed theology. Show how this theology of ministry applies to specific ministry situations and what it leads you to do in the future. Integrate course reading and class discussion into your work.

Due by November 1, 2014.

Reading Assignments

Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor(Banner of Truth/Puritan Paperbacks), 256p

Burns, Chapman, Guthrie, Resilient Ministry (IVP: 2013), 313p.

Gerrit Dawson, The Blessing Life(IVP: 2013), 200p.

Gerrit Dawson,A Guide to the Blessing Life (IVP: 2013), 106pp.

Bill Hull, The Disciple Making Pastor (Baker: 1988), 317pp.

Keith Mathison, Given for You, (Presbyterian and Reformed, 2002), 372pp.

Andrew Purves, The Crucifixion of Ministry (IVP: 2007), 152p.

Ronald Wallace, Calvin, Geneva and the Reformation (Wipf and Stock: 1988), 310pp.

Course Objectives Related to DMin* Student Learning Outcomes

Course: Theology of Ministry

Professor: Gerrit Dawson

Campus: Charlotte

Date: July 28 to Aug 1, 2014

DMin* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the DMincurriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the DMin outcomes. / Rubric
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None / Mini-Justification
Biblical/
Theological Foundations: / Significant knowledge of biblical and theological foundations for pastoral ministry. (This includes interaction with Biblical texts, as well as awareness of Reformed Theology.) / Strong / This course explores the very basis for ministry in and through the church, exploring Biblical models, as well as historic Reformed understanding of the ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Historical/
Contemporary Practices: / Significant knowledge of historical and contemporary practices of pastoral ministry. / Strong / We will delve deep into Calvin and Baxter, even as we interact with the best practices of Reformed ministry in post-Christian America.
Integration: / Ability to reflect upon and integrate theology and practice, as well as implementation in a contemporary pastoral setting. / Strong / Students will be choosing a Biblical image for ministry, around which their practices may be shaped, and will apply this image in a real, practical church situation.
Sanctification: / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids in the student’s sanctification. / Strong / The course creates a community of loving interaction and authentic sharing while challenging us to consecrate ourselves more fully to the call of ministry.