Content

This Supervised Theological Field Education unit provides students with the challenge to establish learning goals appropriate to their learning stage and to the actual ministry context in which they are placed, and to demonstrate the capacity for self-directed learning within the supervisory process. The unit will focus on formation for ministry practice, self-awareness, pastoral identity and appropriate use of ministry skills, including theological reflection on ministry experience and the integration of theological study and ministry practice. LCA professional ministry standards including safeguarding underpin this unit.

Unit code: DP9033L

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an integrated understanding of Child Safeguarding and Professional Ministry Standards as they apply in the context

2.

Design and negotiate learning goals for a supervised experience in a ministry context

3.

Formulate a critical understanding of the range of ministry skills required in the placement context

4.

Reflect critically on the contribution of the field placement to spiritual and personal development, and awareness of personal readiness for vocation

5.

Document evidence of learning about ministry skills and professional standards that has resulted from the field placement

Unit sequence

Course relationship: A Supervised Theological Field Education (STFE) unit in postgraduate coursework awards. Enrolment only permitted in the final three semesters of the degree.

Prerequisites: 48 points in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies (DP).

Co-requisites: Prior to commencement of placement, completion of a learning module on the University code of conduct as well as safeguarding processes including children and vulnerable persons, as required by the LCA

Pedagogy

This STFE learning is informed by relevant literature, Workplace Director observation and mentoring, and student reflective integrative responses.

Students will undertake ministry placement of no less than 144 hours, a minimal of 24 hours of theological reflection, integration and supervision and minimum of 6 hours individual pastoral supervision.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bass, Dorothy C., and Craig Dykstra, eds. For life abundant: practical theology, theological education and Christian ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 2008. Gowing, Robert, Elizabeth Taylor, and Helen McGregor. *Making your work placement effective: a student guide to enriching workplace learning. Melbourne, VIC: RMIT Publishing, 1997.
  • Kincaid, William B. How theological field education shapes pastoral identity. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2012.
  • Matthew Floding, ed. Welcome to theological field education! Herndon, VA: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2011.
  • Lave, Jean, and Etienne Wenger. Situated learning: legitimate peripheral participation. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • Williams, Brian A. The potter’s rib: mentoring for pastoral formation. Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Learning Resource

Identify and negotiate learning goals

1800 25.0
Report

A critical evaluation of a range of ministry skills

2000 30.0
Essay

A theological reflection on the contribution of the field placement to spiritual and personal development

3200 45.0
Report

A record of placement including specific reflection on Child Safeguarding and Professional Ministry Standards in the context of the placement

0 NGP
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 20 Sep, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-09-20 12:29:46 +1000