Western Seminary

Portland, Oregon

Course Syllabus

PTS 711 FOUNDATIONS FOR MINISTRY AND MISSION

John E. Johnson; Robert Krupp; Randy Roberts

(jjohnson@westernseminary.edu) 503-517-1865

Fall 2004

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a core doctoral course that explores pastoral ministry in the classical tradition. The aim is to give students a solid foundation for doing ministry. The course will look at ministry from the perspective of early church fathers, the Reformers, and contemporary voices that build ministry on the same tradition. Key themes include Call to Ministry, Ordination, Pastoral Identity, Preaching, Soul Care, Interior Life, and Transitions. Contemporary models of ministry will be critiqued in light of the classical model.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a result of this course, the student should be able to:

1-Articulate a theological foundation for doing ministry

2-Think through ministry from a pragmatic and functional, as well as a theological and spiritual position

3-Have a solid grasp of one’s identity and calling as pastor

4-Understand the essential historical practices that define pastoral practice

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Pre-Course—

1-Mastery of Course Assigned Readings

2-Critique of a book of your choice, a contemporary voice in ministry who is having significant impact in your ministry, in light of course readings (500-750 words)

Course—

1-Attendance and participation in all sessions

2-Presentation of your contemporary voice on final day of course

Post-Course—

-The writing of four position papers, each 750-1000 words, on the following:

-What I Believe About Pastoral Care

-What I Believe About Spiritual Disciplines

-What I Believe About Preaching

-What I Believe About Leadership

COURSE READINGS

Required:

PRIMARY SOURCES

-John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1984.

-Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor

-Walter Hilton, Toward A More Perfect Love. New York: Penguin, 1988

OVERVIEW DISCUSSION ON PRIMARY SOURCES

-Andrew Purves, Pastoral Theology in the Classical Tradition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001

-Thomas Oden, Pastoral Theology, San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1982.

CONTEMPORARY VOICES ON PASTORAL THEOLOGY

-Eugene Peterson, Five Smooth Stones

-Robert Webber, Ancient-Future Evangelism

-John Armstrong, Reforming Pastoral Ministry

-Leonard Sweet (ed), The Church in Emerging Culture

-your choice, one author impacting your ministry (not to be one of the books assigned)

Various articles/handouts

GRADING

20%-Reading

20%-Class attendance and participation

60%-Class presentation and written projects

Due date extensions will be granted only on the basis of extenuating circumstances, and must be requested in advance of the pertinent due date. Unexcused late (or poor quality) work will result in an appropriate reduction in points earned for that assignment.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Nov 1 Introduction to Course

Chrysostom and the Ministry (Preaching, Shepherding, Call)

Gregory of Nazianzus and the Ministry (Call, Place of Ministry)

Gregory the Great and the Ministry (Interior Life, Care of Souls)

Hilton and the Ministry (Care of Souls, Interior Life)

Nov 2 The Puritans and the Ministry

-Baxter

Nov 3 Contemporary Voices in the Classic Pastoral Tradition

-Peterson

-Weber

-Oden

-Armstrong

Nov 4 Critiquing Contemporary Ministry in Light of the Classical Tradition

-Sweet