PC608
Spiritual Formation for Professional
Ministry
Semester 2, 2015
Brisbane School of Theology offers high quality, Bible-centred theological training
in a diverse and supportive community, shaping the whole person for God’s
purpose. Aiming for more than simply growing students’ knowledge of theology,
BST is developing passionate, capable disciples who use what they know about
God’s word to serve him in the church and the world.
Brisbane School of Theology is an operating name of Bible College of Queensland.
We are an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology, our ABN no. is 55009670160 and the ACT CRICOS no. is 02650E.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS UNIT
Description
Spiritual Formation for Professional Ministry is not so much a series
of lectures but rather an invitation to a journey−a spiritual journey.
The overall goal of the subject is that we each become more like the
Lord Jesus- both individually and corporately. The way to fail this
class (in the eyes of the BST faculty) is to look less like the Lord
Jesus at the end of the subject compared to the start of it. One of the
exciting things we will all do as part of the subject is meditatively
read through parts of the Bible. Enjoy the journey.
Teaching staff
Lecturer
Additional
information
Assessment
Summary
Rev. Andrew Prince
BVSc BTh DipMin MAMin PhD (cand)
Phone
Ph: (07) 3870 8355
Email
aprince@bst.qld.edu.au
Credit points
4
Co/pre-requisites
N/A
No. of teaching
weeks
13
Item
Spiritual Disciplines
report
Essay
Journal
Details/Due Date
Weighting
2,000 words
Due: 25th Aug
3,000 words
Due: 23rd Sept
2000 words
Due: 9th Nov
20%
50%
30%
2
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AND UNIT CONTENT
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will:
1. Have been given the opportunity to discuss and work towards a personal resolution in
ministry of issues facing a person in professional ministry;
2. Have been equipped to critically apply spirituality to major areas of Christian ministry;
3. Have been encouraged to develop increased self-awareness for professional ministries
as to their own growth in maturity in Christ and as those ministering to others.
Content
Section A: Personal Spiritual Development (50%)
1. Vocation, call, giftedness, career choice; selection for professional ministries.
2. Maintaining spiritual vitality in professional ministry settings, including patterns of
personal prayer and Bible study; the daily offices; fellowship with other Christians.
3. Dealing with stress and its spiritual consequences; conflict resolution; avoiding
burnout; material passions and money; recreation.
4. Doubt; temptation and testing, spiritual warfare; spiritual wholeness.
Section B: Relationships in Ministry (50%)
5. Personal significance and security; relational skills, including listening, self-disclosure,
empathy.
6. Relations with others in ministry, including congregational members and leaders, coworkers and other ministers, Christians from other traditions, those in authority.
7. Relationships in the professional minister’s household; the single professional
minister, the Christian home; spiritual, relational and financial factors affecting the
spouse and children.
8. Roles and role conflict; authority and team-work; servant ministries; taking
responsibility.
3
UNIT TIMETABLE PC608
Week
1
Date
Jul 22
Topic
Introduction to unit; What is spiritual
formation
Pre-reading
2
Jul 29
The spiritual disciplines: the inward disciplines
(Lectio Divinia, Prayer, Fasting, Meditation)
3
Aug 5
4
Aug 12
The spiritual disciplines: the outward
disciplines
(simplicity, solitude, submission, service)
The spiritual disciplines: the corporate
disciplines (confession, worship, guidance,
celebration)
5
Aug 19
Understanding oneself: The Johari Window,
self-esteem, the integrated self
L5 notes
Mulholland: pp.45-74
Readings: 21-22
6
Aug 26
L6 notes
Keirsey & Bates: pp. 166; 129-166
7
Sept 2
Personality type and Leadership; working with
others
Assessment due Tues 25th Aug, 5pm:
Spiritual disciplines report
Guidance and the call to ministry: How does
God guide? The call to ministry
8
Sept 9
Issues in spiritual formation (1): Sabbath rest,
work, accountability
9
Sept
16
Issues in spiritual formation (2): Doubt,
temptation, spiritual warfare
L1 notes
Mulholland: pp.11-44
Readings: 1-4
L2 notes
Mulholland: pp.75-102;
Foster: pp. 1-96;
Readings: 19-20
L3 notes
Mulholland: pp.103-140
Foster: pp.97-176
L4 notes
Mulholland: pp.141-160
Foster: pp.177-251
L7 notes
Lutzer: pp.9-14;
Bennett:pp.89-103
Readings: 5-8; Articles:
1-2
L8 notes
Peterson: pp. 15-37
Readings: 9, 10, 12,
29; Articles: 3-4
L9 notes
Brain: 67-98
Readings: 13, 15, 1618; Articles: 5
Study week and holiday week (19 Sept – 4 Oct)
Assessment due Wed 23rd Sept, 5:00pm: essay
10
Oct 7
Avoiding self-abuse: self-care in ministry
(stress, burnout, management strategies)
11
Oct 14
Ministry, marriage and family life, singleness
(marriage in ministry, the pastor’s wife,
ministry kids)
12
Oct 21
Ethics in ministry: ethical principles and
boundaries
L12 notes
Brain: pp.123-142
Lutzer: 54-58; 102-118
Readings: 25-29
13
Oct 28
Building ministry relationships: friendships,
team ministry, leading a team
L13 notes
Brain: pp. 143-184;
Readings: 23-24
15
Exam
week
Assessment due Mon 9th Nov, 5pm:
Journal
L10 notes
Brain: 9-66
Oswald: pp.53-80;
Lutzer: 59-65
Readings: 30, 33
L11 notes
Brain: pp.99-122;
Readings: 31-32
4
READINGS FOR PC608
1. What is Spiritual Formation? Micah Hasty
2. Rx for Spiritual A.D.D An Interview with Richard Foster. Brandon O’Brien
3. ‘Tis the Season to be Attentive. John Ortberg
4. Where I find refreshment. Dallas Willard, Dave Fergusson and others
5. Called to What? A Leadership Forum. Erwin McManus, Glenn Wagner, and Leith
Anderson
6. God’s calling plan. So what exactly is a call to ministry? Gordon MacDonald
7. The case of the missing call. Gary Friesian
8. Helping others answer the call. Your response to those who feel called may affect
the future course of their ministry. An interview with Maxie Dunnam.
9. A steady rhythm. The not-so-secret key to effective ministry and leadership. Ruth
Hayley Barton
10. Time well wasted. Why you need downtime and how to spend it. John Ortberg
11. Cut and sharpen. One of God's underused gifts is time to sharpen. Gordon
MacDonald
12. Time in the back of the boat. Learning stillness in the storms of life. Kirk Byron
Jones
13. Light in your eyes. Accountability is easy, until you hear what you don’t want to
hear. Clark Cothern
14. Finishing the race. Peter Brain
15. Growing in the dark. When God seems absent, silence is not the final word. Lesa
Engelthaler
15a. Life in a dark place. Doubt in the Christian life. Chris Spark
16. A History of Darkness. The struggles of these spiritual giants yielded unexpected
blessings. Chris R. Armstrong
17. Shadows of Doubt. Mike Wakely
17a. Suffering service. Pete Hughes
18. Fighting the Good Fight. What does the Bible mean by "spiritual warfare"? John
Ortberg
19. A bigger toolbox. Spiritual growth demands using a variety of practices. Drew Dyck
20. Having ears, do you do not hear? Ancient practices help us stop merely studying
the Bible, and start listening to it. An interview with Eugene Peterson.
21. Who am I? Our public personas often overshadow our true identity. John Ortberg
22. Guilt gone wild. John Ortberg
23. Higher Stakes Friendship. Five rules that allow friends to be real friends. John
Ortberg
24. Spiritual friends. Here’s the gift you really should be seeking. John Ortberg
24a. Satan’s lies about singleness. Emma Thornett
25. Mapping your private world. Journaling: a tool to bring your soul into focus.
Gordon MacDonald
26. Navigating a moral crisis. When one of our leaders fell, it required a balanced,
biblical response. Tullian Tchividjian
27. Code of ethics. National Association of Evangelicals
28. Code of ethics. Queensland Baptists
29. Accountability that makes sense. How can you talk in a healthy way about the
difficult issues of money, sex, and power? Gary W. Downing
30. Dear Church! We Quit? Marriage and Ministry Depression. Paddy Ducklow
31. The ‘S’ word: Some thoughts on singleness. Valerie Ting
32. Making singleness better. Tim Adeney
33. The impossible task of ministry. John A. Berntsen
34. What about singleness? Pat Wright
35. Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. Bruce G. Epperly
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ASSESSMENT FOR PC608
This applies to students who are enrolled at Grad Dip/Master’s level.
Assessment 1 Item
Details/
Due Date
Report: 2,000 words
Choose TWO of the spiritual disciplines from the list
below. Describe how the discipline has been historically
practised and the place of the discipline for the
Christian church today.
Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation, fasting, simplicity,
solitude, confession.
Due: Tuesday, 25th August, 5.00 pm
Weighting
Assessment 2 Item
Details/
Due Date
20%
Essay: 3,000 words
Students must write an essay on ONE (1) of the
following topics:
1. “I want neither to burn out nor rust out. I want to
finish the race.” (James Berkeley) Critically evaluate
this statement in light of the ministry of Jesus and
develop a self-care plan for yourself to use in Christian
ministry.
Starting bibliography:
Foyle, Marjory F. Honourably Wounded: Stress
Among Christian Workers. Revised and
updated edition. London: Monarch, 2001.
Kaldor, Peter, and Rod Bullpit. Burnout in Church
Leaders. Adelaide: Openbook, 2001.
Oswald, Roy M. Clergy Self-Care: Finding a Balance
for Effective Ministry. Durham NC, USA:
The Alban Institute, 1991.
Steinbron, Melvin J. Can the Pastor Do It Alone?: A
Model for Preparing Lay People for Lay
Pastoring. California, USA: Regal Books,
1987.
Wilson, Michael T., and Brad Hoffman. Preventing
Ministry Failure. Downers Grove: IVP,
2007.
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2. “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his
heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.”
(1 Tim 3:1) Justify your understanding of “the call to
vocational Christian ministry”, with particular reference
to the Pastoral Epistles.
Starting bibliography:
Bennett, Michael. Do You Feel Called By God?.
Kingsford: Matthias Media, 2012.
Howard, Kevin L. “A Call to Missions: Is There Such
a Thing?” Evangelical Missions Quarterly 39,
no. 4 (October 2003): 462–65.
Jensen, Phillip, and Tony Payne. Guidance and the
Voice of God. Kingsford: Mattias Media, 1997.
Lutzer, Erwin. Pastor to Pastor. Grand Rapids: Kregel,
1998.
Nayak, Abhijit. “Christian Ministry - Call or
Career?” Evangelical Missions
Quarterly 44, no. 4 (October 2008):
418–19.
3. “The two greatest dangers for the missionary and
the pastor are sex and money.” (Bishop Alfred
Stanway). Describe and discuss the nature of
temptation in Christian ministry, including the
implications of moral failure in Christian leadership.
Enumerate strategies you will put in place so as not to
succumb to moral failure.
Starting bibliography:
DeYoung, Kevin. The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the
Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit
of Godliness. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway, 2012.
Keller, Timothy J. Counterfeit Gods: When the
Empty Promises of Love, Money, and Power,
Let You down. London: Hodder, 2009.
Larue Jr, John C. “Pastors, Marriage and Sexual
Temptation.” Your Church 51, no. 2 (April
2005): 88.
Murray, George. “Missionaries’ Temptations.”
Evangelical Missions Quarterly 31, no. 1
(January 1998): 66–69.
Wilson, Michael Todd. Preventing Ministry Failure: A
Shepherd Care Guide for Pastors, Ministers
and Other Caregivers. Downers Grove, Ill:
IVP Books, 2007.
Due: Wednesday 23rd September, 5.00 pm
Weighting
Assessment 3 Item
Details/
Due Date
50%
Reflective journal: 2,000 words
Students are required to include at least one
substantial entry weekly for the period weeks 3-10
2015 based on a thorough review of the lecture notes
and the weekly set readings. This is meant to be a
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reflective journal, demonstrating your ability not just to
describe but also to reflect and self-appropriate what
you have learnt.
Due: Monday 9th November, 5pm:
Weighting
30%
NOTES ON ASSESSMENT ITEMS
Assessment 1: Report
For each spiritual discipline you choose approx. 500 words should be devoted to each of
the two parts of the question (historical part, application to today part)
Assessment 2: Essay
The essay should show significant engagement with the literature on Spiritual Formation,
as evidenced in the bibliography and footnotes. Students are directed to the Guidelines
for essays, non-discriminatory language policy, and learning outcomes in the ACT 2014
Undergraduate Handbook and the Assessment Criteria, and the Guide for Essay Writing in
the BST 2014 Student Handbook.
In your essay you will at least need to do the following, irrespective of the topic you
choose:
1. Interact with the Bible. What does the bible have to say about the topic (doubt,
call to ministry etc)? How has the bible’s teaching shaped your thinking on the
topic?
2. Interact with what others of note have said about the topic (in books, journals,
reputable material sourced on the www). You will ideally want to canvas a couple
of different views on your topic rather than just one view/ one way of thinking.
What are these people saying about the topic? How has the writing of these
people shaped your thinking on the topic?
3. Give your own conclusions. Having weighed the Biblical material and the material
from various authors you will need to provide your own (more informed) view.
Assessment 3: Book report
Both sections of the book report are to be approx. 500 words each. The book report is not
a critical review and does not need to draw on secondary literature.
Assessment 4: Reflective journal
Each journal entry will be approx. 250 words. Marks will be awarded on the student’s
ability to reflect on, evaluate and personally apply the material.
LECTURE ATTENDANCE
8
Please note the ACT policy (see also BST Student Handbook) on lecture attendance in
the Undergraduate Handbook and the Graduate and Postgraduate Handbook. You are
required to attend at least 80% of lectures. This means you can miss a maximum of two
lectures. If you know that you will not be at a lecture, please phone or email the lecturer
beforehand. If you miss more than two lectures, your enrolment for this unit may be
ended.
HOW TO STUDY THIS UNIT
You should allocate approximately 7 hours outside of class each week to this unit.
LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK
Please note the ACT Late Penalties Policy (including extensions; see also BST Student
Handbook). Failure to submit any individual assignment on time may result in either a
late penalty or a zero mark for the assignment.
PASSING THIS UNIT
To pass this unit you must complete and submit each assessment item. You must also
attain an overall percentage mark of 50% or more.
PLAGIARISM
Please note the ACT Academic Misconduct Policy (see also BST student handbook) on
plagiarism. This is a serious issue and it is your responsibility both to understand what
plagiarism includes and to avoid it completely. If you are found to have plagiarised,
there will be serious consequences as specified in the BST student handbook.
Penalties for plagiarism are as follows (from ACT Academic Misconduct Policy).
First offence:
Students will be subject to academic counselling, with the maximum penalty being to fail
the item with no marks awarded. Where deemed appropriate, the minimum penalty
available will be that students may be granted an opportunity to resubmit the
assessment with a maximum of 50% for the assessment.
Second offence:
Fail unit, with no remedial opportunity.
Third or major offence:
Exclusion from any award of the ACT, or exclusion from the award for up to two years,
or other outcome appropriate to the case but with an impact less serious than exclusion.
In the case of severe plagiarism and/or cheating, a student may be subject to a separate
disciplinary process approved by the ACT Academic Board. Colleges are required to
immediately report to the ACT Director of Academic Services all offences of wilful
academic misconduct, for recording on TAMS.
9
READING MATERIALS
* Books marked with an asterisk are on the Frozen Shelf in the library.
Prescribed texts
* Brain, Peter. Going the Distance. Sydney: Matthias Media, 2004. 253.2 BRA
* Mulholland, Robert. Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation.
Downers Grove: IVP, 2003. 248.2 MUL
Other recommended texts
* Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. London:
Hodder and Stoughton, 1989. 248.4896 FOS
* Greenman, Jeffrey P., and George Kalantzis (ed.). Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation
in Theological Perspective. Downers Grove: IVP, 2010. 248.4 GRE
* Peterson, E. H. The Contemplative Pastor. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989. 253.53 PET
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GRADUATE OUTCOMES
Unit: Spiritual Formation (PC608)
Lecturer: Andrew Prince Year/Semester: 2, 2015
How this unit contributes to the College’s Graduate Attributes:
Attribute
1) Passionate
discipleship
Emphases of Unit
Strong Moderate Light
3) Humility and
faithfulness
Love for God and love for others are the hallmark of mature
disciples. As students draw deeply from the spiritual resources
God provides then a more passionate love for God and desire to
be a committed disciple will ensue.
√
2) Sound knowledge of
the Bible
Comment (elaborate in terms of teaching and assessment)
Students will be asked to rethink their understanding of the gospel
and its relationship to Christian ministry. Students will also
examine subjects such as guilt, doubt, spiritual warfare, conflict,
call and so on from a strong biblical perspective.
√
Students will be challenged by the often difficult nature of
Christian ministry (conflict, spiritual warfare, burnout,
depression, temptation) and of the reality of they being clay jars
carrying a glorious gospel (2 Cor 4:7). This will emphasise their
desperate need to be completely reliant on God. The need for
perseverance and patience will be a common experience.
√
4) Communicating the
Gospel
√
The emphasis of this unit is on applying the gospel personally
with resultant self-care rather than the communication of the
gospel.
5) Commitment to
mission
√
The students’ commitment to mission will be directly challenged
by the attacks by the evil one (Eph 6:10-12) as experienced in the
challenges that arise in ministry. This unit will help equip
students to persevere in ministry and stay the course in ministry.
6) Commitment to
team ministry
√
7) Basic ministry skills
8) Commitment to
lifelong learning
As students better understand themselves, including their gifts,
personalities and frailties, they will be encouraged to see the
importance of working with others in a team and engage in
mission together, with each team member’s gifts and abilities
complementing those of the other members.
√
√
The main ministry skill students will develop will be the
establishment of self-care principles and strategies.
Students will gain greater insights into the complexities and
pitfalls in Christian ministry and gain a deep appreciation and
commitment to lifelong learning.
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GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
1) They will be passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. Graduates will maintain a vibrant
relationship with God, be passionate about following Jesus and walk by the Spirit in every
area of life. They will seek to love God above all else and others as themselves in attitudes,
words and deeds. They will be imitators of Jesus, obey His Word, deny themselves, take up
their cross and follow Jesus wherever He may lead (Mark 8:34).
2) They will have a sound knowledge of the Bible. Graduates will have an in-depth
and comprehensive knowledge of the Bible. They will be committed to the infallibility and
authority of the Bible as God’s Word in everything pertaining to salvation and the Christian
life (2 Tim 3:14-17). They will do their best to be good teachers of the Bible who correctly
explain the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).
3) They will have genuine humility and demonstrate faithfulness in life and
ministry. Graduates will live lives of holiness, humility and faithfulness. They will be willing
to acknowledge their shortcomings and mistakes, and be open to receive constructive
criticism and advice. They will do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility will
consider others better than themselves (Phil 2:3). They will be prepared to suffer for the
sake of Christ, knowing that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God” (Acts 14:22).
4) They will be effective communicators of the Gospel. Graduates will know the
Gospel and will be eager and able to communicate the Gospel, especially in word, but also
through writing and other media, in ways that are culturally sensitive and intelligible to
others. They will have compassionate hearts, listening empathetically to people in their
particular contexts. They will be ready to preach the Word at any time with patience and
care (2 Tim 4:2), trying to persuade people to believe the Gospel and to become followers
of Jesus (2 Cor 5:11).
5) They will have a great commitment to God’s mission. Graduates will be aware of
the needs and opportunities of local and global mission. They will endeavour to see the
coming of God’s kingdom in every sphere of life, strive for justice for the poor and work
towards community transformation. They will be passionately committed to and will be
active in working towards the fulfilment of the Great Commission, to make disciples of all
nations (Matt 28:18-20).
6) They will be committed to team ministry and servant leadership. Graduates will
be committed to the local church as the family of God and as their context for ministry and
base for mission (Heb 10:24-25). They will work enthusiastically and cooperatively with
others in ministry teams. They will be open to Christians across various evangelical
denominations and churches (Luke 9:49-50). As leaders they will be disciple-makers,
following the Lord Jesus in serving, leading by example, and training and mentoring other
leaders (Mark 10:43-45).
7) They will be competent in basic ministry skills. Graduates will be competent in
basic ministry skills, including preaching, teaching, leading and caring for people. They will
use their gifts to implement constructive change in the church and community (1 Tim 4:616). They will be culturally attuned and flexible in dealing with a range of issues (1 Cor
9:19-23). They will embrace accountability and maintain professional standards in various
contexts. They will be “salt and light” in the world (Matt 5:13-14) and be able to “prepare
God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph 4:12).
8) They will be committed to lifelong learning and personal growth. Graduates will
be proactive in expanding their knowledge and abilities. They will be open to new
challenges, be willing to face unfamiliar problems and accept wider responsibilities. They
will continue to grow in faith, knowledge and maturity, “forgetting what is behind and
pressing … toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil
3:13-14).
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