Pastoral Ministry Units

Many students who enter church ministry having done a lot of study but are soon asking themselves – “How do I now do church?” In this subject we put it all together, theology, Bible knowledge, and practical skills – and ask the question “How are we going to lead a church?”

Leading a church is more than understanding the Bible and having a good theology. It requires vision, planning, an understanding of organisational dynamics, and the ability in any given context to provide a relevant expression of church while maintaining the core values of what a church should be.

This unit covers areas such as; developing values, visions and strategies, organisational approaches and leadership styles, dealing with change and reviewing progress.

However, the goal of this unit is for each student to have developed their own philosophy and strategy for church ministry so that at the completion of the unit they have a framework for approaching, developing and leading ministry with confidence.

Christian ministry demands training in pastoral skills, which are based on a sound theology and which can adapt to the expectations of a variety of ministry contexts. This unit prepares the student practically for the realities of pastoral work in local churches, youth ministries, and a variety of other contexts. By completing this unit students will be able to integrate a knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of many aspects of Christian ministry. The practical aspects covered include:

• leading worship services
• conducting weddings, funerals, dedications, baptisms,
• pastoral administration
• leading small groups
• Elders, board and committee meetings.

There is nothing more exciting than communicating the Word of God in a way that radically affects and changes people’s lives. To do this we must, firstly, stay true to the message of the Bible.
To preach is to reconstruct the original message in a way that will have meaning and relevance for today’s audience. It is a creative exercise set within the limitations that the text and its original intention impose on us. We do not only apply the message, we trust that God will speak a new message to the people of today that is in line with, and true to, the original message in Scripture.

Preaching remains the core dynamic from which the church operates. To know the Bible well without being able to communicate its message well, is to do an injustice to the people that we are called to minister to. It is only as we communicate God’s message in a creative, exciting, insightful and penetrating way that we can do justice to the richness of the Biblical message.

Students entering the pastoral ministry in a local church need to have a good understanding of their denominational affiliation and where their denomination fits into the church scene. In this unit students study their denomination’s history, doctrinal distinctives, practices, structure and administration. Students also consider how and why particular distinctive doctrines and practices of their denomination are different from other denominations.

By the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• explain the history of their denomination and the forces that led to its present state,
• explain the doctrinal distinctives of the denomination and how they differ from other denominations,
• explain the distinctive practices of the denomination and how they differ from other denominations, and
• explain the administrative procedures and structure of the denomination.