Reflective Practice for Vocation (DA1001L)

Content

This unit engages students in a guided process of relational, reflective learning in a specific faith or service community, including the use of specific community mentors/reflection partners. Skills for practical ministry are central to the unit: spiritual disciplines, active listening, discernment practices, communication, self-awareness, working in a team and integrating theology into practice. The content for the reflection is normally based within a congregational or other primary ministry setting and normal compliance requirements for the context will apply.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A level 1 unit in undergraduate theology and ministry courses

Prerequisites: At least 36 points of core units from the Diploma in Ministry or 18 points in both Systematic Theology (CT) and Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies (DP)

Pedagogy

This unit uses an action and reflection model of learning relating to various activities and tasks undertaken by the student in a specific faith or service community context. This model routinely poses the question, ‘What have I discerned about my call to ministry from this?’ It requires a 20 hour minimum involvement in a ministry context.

Indicative Bibliography

• Avis, Paul D. L. A ministry shaped by mission. New York: T&T Clark International, 2005.
• Brennan, Damien. Into the deep: developing reflective and purposeful leaders. Hamilton, QLD: Lumino Press, 2013.
• Campbell-Reed, Eileen R. Pastoral Imagination: Bringing the Practice of Ministry to Life. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2021.
• Carroll, Michael, and Maria C. Gilbert. On being a supervisee: creating learning partnerships. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Psychoz Publications, 2011.
• Due, Noel. Spirit filled: normal Christian living. Adelaide, SA: Lutheran Church of Australia, 2019.
• Heywood, David. Kingdom Learning: Experiential and Reflective Approaches to Christian Formation. London, UK: SCM Press, 2017.
• Killen, Patricia & de Beer, John. The Art of Theological Reflection. New York, NY: Crossroad Publishing, 1994.
• Kincaid, William B. Finding voice: how theological field education shapes pastoral identity. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2012.
• Palmer, Parker J. Let your life speak: listening to the voice of vocation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
• Placher, William C. Callings: twenty centuries of Christian wisdom on vocation. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2005.

Assessment