Module TMMC1181: Foundations for Ministry and Worship in Context

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

TMMC1181: Foundations for Ministry and Worship in Context

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to the principles underpinning key practices and competences relating to Christian worship in the ecclesial tradition and vocational context for, and within which, students are being prepared.
• To enable students to develop an understanding of, and basic skills in, one or more of the following: preaching, pastoral care and the disciplines of Christian spirituality.
• To enable students to reflect theologically on their experience
• To enable students to exercise reflective and prayerful ministries in areas such as leading worship, preaching and pastoral care.

Content

• Students enrolled on this module will be engaged in a sustained placement or place of work which, together with prior experience, forms the substrate for reflection on areas of study which will include:
• An overview of the history, theology and contemporary practice of Christian worship in the student’s denomination and ecclesial tradition.
• And may include one or more of the following:
• An introduction to spirituality and prayer in relation to their historical and ecclesial contexts, scriptural sources and contemporary applications.
• Key aspects of preaching including approaches to engaging with Scripture and with context, and practical skills of delivery.
• An overview of the theology and practice of pastoral care that is rooted in the life and worship of the Christian community.
• Students are likely to focus on these subjects in relation to their own denomination and ecclesial tradition.

Learning Outcomes

• Explore understandings and definitions of Christian worship grounded in Scripture and tradition.
• Give an account of the basic concepts and principles of some core aspects of Christian discipleship and ministry, such as spirituality, preaching and pastoral care, including making informed reference to the questions raised by past and present approaches.

• Engage in practices of Christian discipleship and ministry in the light of the learning in this module. These will include leading worship and one or more competences such as preaching and pastoral care, or the practice of spirituality and prayer.
• Reflect theologically on their own, and others’, practice and experience of ministry, drawing on the theological resources learned in this module and communicating this accurately and reliably in a range of contexts.

• Identify, gather and analyse source materials for a specific purpose.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to diverse problems and contexts, communicating these sensitively and respectfully.
• Carry out a guided task that involves: independent inquiry; management of time and resources; using IT; meeting deadlines; evaluating the task and learning from it.
• Recognise key issues in their own personal and professional development.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching methods to be specified by each TEI, selecting from the following:
• Lectures provide content, a conceptual framework and a survey of approaches within a subject area that enable students to locate their learning in a wider context, to make connections with other disciplines, and to evaluate and apply their learning to different contexts.
• Seminars offer students an opportunity to present, evaluate and apply their knowledge to specific contexts, and to engage with teaching staff and peers in debate and reflection.
• Guided reading in conjunction with lectures encourages independent learning and underpins the knowledge and understanding gained in lectures and seminars.
• Small group learning creates an environment where students learn to articulate their knowledge and understanding effectively and in a way that is relevant to the group and its context.
• Case studies offer students the opportunity to apply their knowledge, analytical and problem-solving skills to the kinds of complex, realistic and often ambiguous situations they are likely to encounter in their profession / ministry/ vocation.
• Tutorials enhance learning by offering feedback and encouraging students to reflect on their own response to the knowledge and skills they have acquired.
• Practical classes enable students to practice their ability to communicate a subject matter orally, creatively and appropriately and to learn from the feedback of teachers and peers.
• Placements and/or work-based learning ensures that students make habitual connections between knowledge, understanding, skills, professional practice and the reality of a specific context, under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be expected to demonstrate engagement with the subject matter and the learning outcomes throughout the module by suitable formative assessments that encourage integrative and reflective skills.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University