The aim of this unit is to enable students explore the theological and practical dimensions of ministry.  The unit will help students to understand and be prepared for the essential dynamics of faithful pastoral ministry in a congregational setting. 

In your role as a pastor, you need to be able to deliver presentations to provide information to others. So, as part of your personal and skills development activities, you have been asked to give a presentation covering four key themes for a competition. Prepare the content for your presentation using the tasks outlined below. For each of the themes, produce slides, supporting handout documents and detailed notes that you will use as presentation prompts to ensure that you cover all the points required during the presentation.

Task 1

In Section 1, discuss the requirements and role of a pastor:

1. Analyse the biblical qualifications of pastoral leadership

2. Evaluate the role of a pastor as Priest, Preacher, Counsellor, Teacher, Evangelist, Prophet, Leader and Missionary

3. Explain the key biblical themes in a Christian theology of ministry

4. Justify the character traits of effective pastoral leadership

LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4

Task 2

In Section 2, your focus is on the call to ministry and the importance of self-care:

1. Examine the importance of the assessment of a pastor’s personal sense of call

2. Explain the necessity of having a plan for self-care to sustain long term ministry

3. Assess the burdens and joys of a minister’s life

Extension activities

To gain a Merit grade

Develop a programme of self-care for pastors to sustain their ministry

To gain a Distinction grade

Justify the wisdom that can be gained from the experiences of pastoral practitioners over the ages

LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2M1, 2D1

Task 3

In Section 3, you want to present some orders of service for regular ministerial events that you have prepared. You would also like to share your evaluation of a church’s order of service for the Eucharist. Therefore:

1. Prepare order of service for a funeral event

2. Prepare order of service for a wedding ceremony

3. Prepare order of service for baptism

Extension activities

To gain a Merit grade

Evaluate a certain church’s order of service for the Eucharist

LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3M1

Task 4

In Section 3, you want to discuss Pastoral Ethics:                          

Explain what pastoral ethics entail

Extension activities

To gain a Merit grade

Assess a church’s existing ministerial code of conduct

To gain a Distinction grade

Prepare your own ministerial code of conduct

LO4 AC 4.1, 4M1, 4D1