Earlham School of Religion

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Ministry Formation

F-110 A & B EXEGETING THE CALL AND CULTURE OF MINISTRY
A year-long course meeting once a week providing a formational context in which to process seminary life and discern readiness to participate in Ministry Formation 301 A and B. This course will explore the various aspects of Christian ministry with particular attention to pastoral/congregational ministries. Students will examine social and spiritual shaping of ministerial identity through specific readings, small group work, theological reflection, and ministry site visits/interviews.
Total of 3 semester hours awarded at the end of the second semester.
F-110C EXEGETING THE CALL AND CULTURE OF MINISTRY
This course will explore the various aspects of Christian ministry with particular attention to pastoral/congregational ministries. Students will examine social and spiritual shaping of ministerial identity through specific readings, small group work, theological reflection, and ministry site visits/interviews. This course is paired with Introduction to Theological Reflection (T-101C) as part of the Connections program. It provides a context for continued spiritual formation and for discernment of readiness to participate in Ministry Formation 301 A and B.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: I-101C.
F-200 MINISTRY FORMATION ELECTIVE
Ministers?in?training gain experience in doing full?time or part?time extended ministry in congregations, camps, hospitals, social ministry settings, district or conference programs. Students are given opportunities to engage in specific forms of ministry and to reflect on their practice of ministry through supervision. Placements will extend 10 or more weeks and will typically be full-time (400 or more hours).
3 semester hours.
F-200 CPE MINISTRY FORMATION ELECTIVE
Clinical Pastoral Education ? students learn pastoral practice in a clinical setting with a trained supervisor. Pastoral relationships are examined through an integration of personal history, behavioral theory and method, and spiritual development. Ministers?in?training provide pastoral care to people in crisis for a specific time period, usually ten or eleven weeks full?time in the summer or one day a week during most of the academic year.
3 semester hours.
F-301A MINISTRY FORMATION, SEMESTER I
Participants will engage in critical and constructive reflection concurrent with their field education ministry placement. In the large group, a variety of ministry topics will be considered. In smaller groups, students will work with case studies and the ministry resources of their faith journeys. Group interaction and leadership are important components of the learning process. For more information see Ministry Formation & Field Education on page 20.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: F 110 A & B, T/THST 101, one course in biblical studies, one course in ministry studies and faculty certification of readiness.
F-301B MINISTRY FORMATION, SEMESTER II
The second semester of ministry formation continues the work of the preceding term in reflecting on the ministry experience of the participants. During the course, each student will focus on the additional tasks of peer review and developing a written statement on one’s understanding of ministry. For more information see Ministry Formation & Field Education on page 20.
3 semester hours.
F-302 M. DIV. REVIEW
As the concluding course in the overall ministry formation process, this course provides seniors with the opportunity to synthesize and reflect upon their cumulative coursework and field education experiences. The course culminates in a review of each student by a faculty committee to assess the student’s fulfillment of the objectives of the M. Div. program.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisites: successful completion of F 301 A & B, F200, faculty certification and any particular curricular work that the faculty may require in individual cases for demonstrating readiness for M. Div. Review.
F-400 CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
Students may choose to enroll in an accredited CPE program for credit as an additional elective. Contact the Faculty for Ministry Formation for details.
3 semester hours.