Supervised Theological Field Education (DP9064S)

Content

This unit will provide a framework for reflection, input and learning in ministry. It takes a specific context of ministry and focuses on how theology, scripture, faith and identity impact on a student’s formation for ministry and leadership. Students will engage in critical reflection through case study presentations. A variety of theological and formational issues will be explored, e.g. active / contemplative modes of reflection, nature and cost of leadership, life-long learning and culturally engaged theological reflection.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Students should normally have completed two years of full time theological studies or equivalent (including Foundational Studies in BH, BN, CT and Field D). It is also a prerequisite that students have completed 30 points in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies.

Students are required to be engaged in a pastoral placement, approved by the Director of Field Education, for a minimum of sixteen hours per week for at least 35 weeks.

Pedagogy

Classroom lectures and case studies. Students are required to engage with a number of supervision protocols and evaluation tasks outside of class. These protocols and tasks provide a framework for reflection, input and learning in ministry which is the focus of this unit. Meetings with a supervisor and peers also provide for theological reflection on ministry.

Indicative Bibliography

• Floding, M (Ed), Welcome to Theological Field Education. Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2011
• Kinast, R L Let ministry teach: A guide to theological reflection. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1996
• Kinast, R L Making faith-sense: Theological Reflection in everyday life. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1999
• Lartey, E. Pastoral theology in an intercultural world, Peterborough: Epworth Press, 2006
• McAlpin, K Ministry That Transforms. A contemplative Process of Theological Reflection, Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press 2009.
• Palmer, Parker J Let your life speak: Listening to the voice of Vocation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000
• Palmer, Parker J The Active Life. A Spirituality of Work, Creativity and Caring. New York, Jossy-Bass, 1990.
• Pattison, S. The challenge of practical theology: Selected essays, London: Jessica Kingsley, 2007.
• Paver, John E Theological Reflection and education for ministry: The search for integration in theology. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, 2006
• Rees, Frank D (ed) Fair dinkum ministry. Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 1999
• Stone, H W and J O Duke, How to think theologically. (2nd edn) Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996
• Whitehead James D & Whitehead Evelyn Eaton Method in Ministry: Theological Reflection and Christian Ministry Chicago: Sheed & Ward, 1995

Assessment