Western Seminary
DIS 538a-g “Mentoring for Ministry”
General Syllabus, rev. 5th August 2004
Galen Currah, Instructor

Course Description:  Mentoring for Ministry explores the process of mentoring by taking the learner through a field-based experience of a menu-driven, need-determined format which integrates pastoral field work with corresponding theoretical content.  Normally, this will be done in partnership with a local church or mission organization.

One credit hour per module, a through g.

Textbooks:

·         Patterson, George. “Come, Let Us Disciple the Nations With George Patterson” on CD-ROM. Beaverton: Enable! Media, 2001. ISBN 0-9706859-0-4

Optional materials:

·         Garrison, David. Church Planting Movements. Richmond: International Mission Board, n.d.

·         Neumann, Mikel. Home Groups For Urban Cultures. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1999.
ISBN 1-87808-281-6

·         Patterson, George and Richard Scoggins. Church Multiplication Guide. Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1993. ISBN 0-87808-245-X <http://www.wclbooks.com>

·         Patterson, George. Paul & Timothy Training Manual. Portland: George Patterson, 2000.
<http://www.Paul-Timothy.net>

·         Theissen, Ann. Pastor’s Storybook. Portland: PTT, 2003. <http://www.Paul-Timothy.net>

·         Train & Multiply®  <http://www.TrainAndMultiply.com>

Course Goals: By the end of this course, the learner will:

1.       Demonstrate ability to mentor others in developing their God-given capacities for Christ-like character and ministry.  The learner will demonstrate this ability by:

A. Practicing the mentoring process as it applies to leaders, in the spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2 (the 'chain reaction' principle) in the context of his church or ministry, and

B.  Guiding at least one new or potential leader through the setting of objectives, the making of plans and the leading of  his flock (group, ministry team or family).

2.       Participate in the church or organization and train others to engage in its principle functions. The learner will demonstrate this by:

A. Determining  the ministry opportunities and needs of    those ministered to,

B.  Implementing and developing ministries required by the New Testament, and

C.  Specifying and implementing action steps based on scriptural requirements, ministry opportunities and needs.

3.       Identify personal strengths, weaknesses, and other elements of individuality that can help or hinder ministry effectiveness.  The learner  will gain this knowledge through hands-on ministry, and the ongoing evaluations of a mentor.

Course requirements:

     Following an orientation session, learners will have a minimum of 14 clock hours of interaction with their mentors for one semester hour of credit, in person or via e-mail.

     Learners fill in and occasionally update a ministry profile for provide by the instructor.

     Each semester-hour module comprises 15 hours of interaction between mentors and learners, covering one to seven menu units each of which focuses on the learner's group, the tasks to be completed, and the material to be mastered.  Unit length and contents are determined by the Mentor and learner together.

     Time the student spends working through the CD-ROM program on their home computer does not count toward the fifteen hours on interaction.

     The mentor will use the 'JUMP Menu' to:

a) Help trainees select needed ministry activities suitable to current opportunities,

b)  Monitor their progress.

Course Modules:

DIS 538a      Mentor by Menu
(Introduction to the mentor role and the Paul-TimothyMenu)

DIS 538b     Mentor New Leaders
(Mobilizing workers, including bi-vocationals, for leadership)

DIS 538c      Mentor to Multiply
(Starting and developing cell groups and churches through leaders)

DIS 538d     Mentor to Build Ministry
(Planning, initiating and developing essential church ministries)

DIS 538e     Mentor to Make Disciples
(Evangelizing and discipling among unevangelized peoples)

DIS 538f      Mentor for Body Life
(Integrating gift-based ministries and 'one another' dynamics in cells and churches)

DIS 538g     Mentor to Plan & Evaluate
(Supervision, monitoring and evaluation for strategic ministries)

Course policies:

     Course Timing.  This course is offered for fall, spring, or summer semesters.  Students may enroll in this course even if it does not appear on the printed Seminary course schedule.  Credit will be transcripted for the semester in which the student was registered.

     Registration.  In addition to the standard registration card, an Independent Study form must be completed to register for this course and submitted with a copy of this syllabus.  This form is available from the Division of Intercultural Studies office in Milliken Hall, top floor.

     Attendance. Training sessions are scheduled by the mentor and learners.  All sessions must be completed, along with the agreed-upon work, before credit can be given for the module.

     Grading.  Grading will be done by the mentor, and will be on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis.