DP2/364.30 Supervised Theological Field Education

= 15 points as an Integrative Unit (Christian Life) and 15 points as an Elective Unit (Christian Life and Ministry) for MDiv

Supervised Theological Field Education (STFE), provides a framework for reflection, input and learning in ministry. It takes a specific context of ministry and focuses on how theology, scripture, faith, skills and identity impact on a student's formation for ministry. The aims of STFE include enabling a student to develop:

• intentionality in ministry through goal-setting;
• skills for reflection ministry through peer group reflection and input, individual supervision, congregational committees and journalling;
• an appreciation and acceptance of the benefits of accountability, mentoring and self-evaluation in the practice of ministry, and
• an understanding and experience of theological reflection as an individual and community task.

Structure: Students are required to be engaged in a pastoral placement, approved by the Director of Field Education, for a minimum of sixteen hours per week for at least 35 weeks.

Semester: 1 & 2 (Full year double subject)

Faculty: Andrew Menzies

Pre-requisite:

• Students should normally have completed two years of full time theological studies or equivalent (eg. Including BH101, BN101, CT101, DP101, DP102).
• Acceptance into program by VATFE

Assessment:

Statement of personal goals (500 words) (10%)
Mid-year self-evaluation (500 words) (10%)
Two Critical Incident reflection papers (1,500 words) (20%)
Twelve weeks of a dialogical journal (30%)
One 2,000 word essay on the student's model of
theological reflection (30%)
Satisfactory final evaluation from the Director of Field Education
Participation on the component parts of the unit.

Grading: The subject is marked on a Pass/Fail basis only.

Offered: Through semesters 1 and 2 in 2012. Wednesdays 11.00am to 1.00pm

 

Select Bibliography:

Collins, R E Models for theological reflection. University Press of America, 1984
Francis, L J and Jones, S J Psychological perspectives on Christian ministry. Leominster: Gracewing, 1996
Gariboldi R and Novotny, D The art of theological reflection. University Press of America, 1987
Hunter, C Supervised field education handbook. Melbourne: 1995
*Killen, P and De Beer, J The art of theological reflection. New York: Crossroad, 1994
Mahan, J H, Troxell, B B, Allen, C J Shared wisdom. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993
Macquarrie, J Principles of Christian theology. Reved. London: SCM, 1977
McCarthy, D The supervision of ministry students. Atlanta: Home Mission Board, 1978
McIntosh, G L and Edmondson, R L It only hurts on Monday. Carol Stream: Churchsmart, 1998
Isbister, N and Robinson, M Who do you think you are? London: Harper Collins, 1999
Rutter, P Sex, power and boundaries. New York: Bantam, 1996
Sofield, L and Kuhn, D H The collaborative leader. Notre Dame: Ave Maria, 1995
Stone, H W and Duke, J O How to think theologically. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996
Whitehead, E E and Whitehead, J D Seasons of strength. Winona: St Mary's Press, 1995