PC301/501  Ministry Formation

3 hours per week 1 semester

Lecturer: Peter Hastie

Description: An overview of the many facets of practical ministry, including: the office of minister/pastor (both biblically and as seen in church history), the call to the ministry, dealing with congregational expectations and the personal spiritual development of the minister.

Textbooks:  

R Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Banner of Truth Trust, 1999).

C Bridges, The Christian Ministry (Banner of Truth, 1997).

D B Knox, Sent by Jesus (Banner of Truth, 1992).

J MacArthur Jr (ed), Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Word, 1995).

 

PC402/602  Foundations of Pastoral Care

3 hours per week semester 1, not offered every year

Lecturer: Karl Hood

Aims:  To give an introduction to basic issues in pastoral theology; to begin to develop an integrated biblical and theological understanding of pastoral ministry; and to begin to equip for ministry to families and to people in various life stages and transitions.

Description:  Includes a brief history of pastoral care; special revelation and common grace; a biblical-theological model of the person, life, change, and helping relationships; care and change in Christian community; an integrated approach to physiological issues; an introduction to a Christocentric approach to a range of basic difficulties that are common to many life stages - suffering, grief and loss, anger, anxiety and fear, addiction, conflict and reconciliation, and, marriage and family issues.

Content: Biblical and theological perspectives (40%); Pastoral care in the stages of life (60%)

Textbooks:

E L Johnson, Foundations of Soul Care (IVP, 2007).

P D Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (P&R, 2002).

T S Lane & P D Tripp, How People Change (New Growth, 2nd edition, 2008).

M R Emlet, CrossTalk: Where life and Scripture Meet (New Growth, 2009).

D A Powlison,  Seeing With New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition through the Lens of Scripture (P&R, 2003).

D A Powlison, Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community (New Growth, 2005).

Choice of one of the following books by E T Welch:

Addictions (P&R, 2001)

Running Scared (New Growth, 2007).

When People Are Big (P&R, 1997).

Depression (New Growth, 2004).

 

PC403/603  Pastoral Skills and Methods

3 hours per week 1 semester

Description: This subject provides training in basic people skills for pastoral counselling; various life issues for which people often need counselling. Learning to be an effective pastor as well as being aware of personal and professional limitations.

Textbooks: 

D Benner, Strategic Pastoral Counselling (Baker, 1992).

C Bridges, The Christian Ministry (Banner, 1997).

N Wright,   Crisis Counselling,  updated and expanded (Regal Books, 1993).

 

PC411/611  Preaching in the Christian Tradition

2 hours per week 1 semester, 4 sermons under supervision

Lecturer: John Wilson

Description: A study of preaching as found in the OT and in the NT early church. Particular study of Chrysostom, Luther, Cranmer, Edwards, Whitefield and Spurgeon. How to preach from the various types of biblical literature. How to preach for special occasions and under particular circumstances. Various types of sermons.

Textbooks: 

P Adam, Speaking God’s Words  (IVP, 1996).

G Goldsworthy, Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture  (Eerdmans, 2000).

P S Wilson,  A Concise History of Preaching (Abingdon, 1992).

 

PC447/647  Introductory Preaching

3 hours per week, semester 1, 2 sermons under supervision

Lecturer: Douglas Milne

Envisaged outcomes: a personal acquaintance with the principles, aims and types of Christian proclamation through the application of exegetical and expository methods.

Description: Biblical principles and patterns. The aims, forms and context of preaching, the preacher himself. The basic principles of exegesis and exposition. The various components of a sermon and how to put them together. Methods and techniques of preaching.

Textbooks:

Scott Gibson (ed), Preaching to a Shifting Culture (Baker 2004).

William Philip (ed),  The Practical Preacher  (Proclamation Trust, 2002).

Christopher Ash, The Priority of Preaching (Christian Focus 2009).

Graham Johnston,  Preaching to a Postmodern World (Baker, 2001).

Stewart Gill (ed) Preaching the Word: Essays in Honour of Professor Tom Wilkinson (RTR Supplement Series 3, 2009).

 

PC442/642  Congregational Field Education

1 hour per week 1 semester & 200 hours field work  While students are enrolled in first semester the practical component is covered over the entire academic year.

Lecturer: Nello Barbieri

Description:  To gain the most from the supervised field experience appointment. To be able to relate these lessons to peers.  An introduction to practical issues related to congregational leadership and change.

Textbooks:

J Adams, Shepherding God’s Flock (3 volumes in one) (Baker, 1980).

N Kirkwood, Pastoral Care in Hospitals (Dwyer, 1995).

J MacArthur Jr, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Word, 1995).

 

PC443/643  Pastoral Care Field Education

1 hour per week,  over one semester & 200 hours field work. While students are enrolled in first semester the practical compnent is covered over the entire academic year.

Lecturer: Nello Barbieri

Description: To gain the most from the supervised field experience appointment. To be able to relate these lessons to peers. An introduction to the practical issues related to pastoral care in congregation and other ministry settings.

Textbooks: 

J Adams, Shepherding God’s Flock (3 volumes in one) (Baker, 1980).

N Kirkwood, Pastoral Care in Hospitals (Dwyer, 1995).

J MacArthur, Rediscovering Pastoral Ministry (Word, 1995).