PS 7512 - Applied Focus Practicum 2: Stewardship of Congregational Life
(NOTE: Changes in scheduling and other details pertinent to the winter semester)
Winter 2015
Providence Theological Seminary
Instructor: Al Thiessen, D. Min.
Email: al.thiessen@prov.ca
SYLLABUS
I.
Course Description:
A “hands on” experience in a church, hospital, counselling or para church setting under
the supervision of a qualified pastor or other ministry professional who will act as a
mentor/supervisor. Students will also be involved in cohort groups under the direction of
a faculty instructor where they will reflect on various dimensions of their practicum
experience.
Note: Students should read the Applied Focus Practicum Handbook (online edition
listed under Dr. Al Thiessen’s course offerings). According to the Practicum
handbook, students should have an approved ministry site by the start of the first
semester. If you are unsure of how to find a suitable ministry site, please contact me at
the above e-mail. Options can be discussed.
Some thoughts on suitable ministry supervision sites:
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An approved site is one which has provided previous supervision in the last three years or
has a current arrangement with a supervisor to provide supervision as students become
available. (see current site locations below)
A proposed site is one requested by a student but assessed as suitable by the instructor.
Student must advise the instructor at least one month in advance so that the instructor can
assess the suitability of the site and so that mentors can have time to review the
requirements of the Applied Focus Practicum Handbook.
The supervision will occur over the 8 month period of the school year unless previous
arrangements have been made with the instructor.
Mentors will be current on the supervision and reporting features of the Applied Focus
Practicum Handbook.
Mentors will have had contact with the instructor for this course for purposes of training,
clarification, or support.
Travel and family considerations are a factor for some international students or students
that lack transportation. If this is the case, a ministry site should be chosen which best
supports this need.
Current Supervised Ministry Sites:
Niverville and St. Pierre:
Elim Mennonite Church
Maranatha Good News Center
St. Pierre Fellowship
In Steinbach:
Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church
Bethesda Place: Larry Hirst (Chaplain) check with instructor
In Winnipeg:
Willowlake Baptist
Faith Covenant Church
Soul Sanctuary
Fort Gary Evangelical Mennonite Church
II.
Objectives:
1. The student will enter into practical ministry experiences consistent with their field of
service and be supervised by a ministry mentor.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and reflect on the issues and
opportunities specified in their Applied Focus Practicum Handbook and in the course
work specified in this syllabus.
3. Students will demonstrate a growing awareness of their call to ministry, strongest and
weakest skills, emotional and spiritual maturity, gifts and aptitude, and demonstrate
how they are responding to these features in their practicums. The reporting structure
will help in this regard.
4. Students will reflect on various aspects of ministry which may not be encountered in
their practicums. These may be issues raised by the student or the instructor.
III.
Course Requirements:
1. Contribute to the discussions in the cohort group and be regular in attendance (No
more than two unexcused absences will be permitted, except for students doing
distance practicums with approved alternate arrangements.)
2. Read and be familiar with the Applied Focus Practicum Handbook. This will
explain the cohort structure and guidelines for students and mentors.
3. Submit reports to the faculty instructor as required, according to the timetable
outlined in this syllabus. (All reports to be submitted can be found in the
Applied Focus Practicum Handbook. These include report forms for both
students and mentors….see the appendix.)
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Self –assessments, narratives, case studies of ministry situations, and feedback
from supervisor evaluations will be used as reflective discussions in the cohort
groups.
Supervisor evaluations may be submitted online since supervisors are not in
the colloquia and are often constrained by time and distance.
4. Read the textbook
Diana R. Garland. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. 2nd ed. Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic. 2012
This text will provide some of the content for discussion in the cohort groups,
students are asked to make notes (marginal or otherwise) on helpful dimensions of
each chapter. These notes will be helpful for recall when the book will be
discussed later in the semester.
Note: This text is from an American perspective, but most of the content will also
have application to Canadian congregations and its scope will provide a broad
range of ideas for church leaders. Since much congregational administration and
development must take the family into account, this book will supply some of the
conceptual and practical thinking necessary to structure family based programs
and initiatives.
IV.
Cohort Dates: Wednesdays 8:30-11:05 - ***BEGINNING JAN. 28***
Jan. 28 – First Case Study due, First Narrative due (due on Jan. 26)
Feb. 11- First Self -Assessment Due, First Verbatim due (due on Feb. 9)
Feb. 25 -
First Mentor Evaluation due (due on Feb. 23)
March 18 - Second Case Study Due, Second Narrative due (due on Mar. 16)
April 1 - Second Verbatim, Final Self-Assessment (due on Mar. 30)
April 8 – Practicum 1 and 2 together: Final Mentor Evaluations due, Reading
of Text Completed. Due April 8th.
V.
Grading
Cohort group participation ……………………………………………..30%
All reports submitted ……………………………………………………40%
(2 Self-Assessments, 2 Ministry Narratives, 2 mentor Evaluations)
2 case studies and 2 verbatims
submitted…………………………………………………………………..20%
Reading of text…...……………………………………………………….10%
VI.
Required Reading
Diana R. Garland. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. 2nd ed. Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic. 2012
VII.
Recommended Reading:
Books will be recommended over the course of the semester. Students should also be
prepared to recommend books from their own reading.