Forming the Ministering Person

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Jun 20, 2023 by Beth Brunk
3 min read

Course descriptions and scheduling are subject to change by administrative decision. See course offerings booklet for current offerings. Some courses will be offered on a two- or three-year rotation.

Formation Studies (FS)

FS 503 Formation in Spiritual Practices (3 SH)

This course facilitates engagement with a variety of individual and communal spiritual practices. Through small group spiritual direction, students will pay attention to the rhythms of their life, discern God’s presence and explore a sustainable rule of life for their present season. Personality inventories will offer insight into current functioning and growth areas, as students explore vocation in light of their personality and strengths. By practicing different theological writing styles, students will develop their authentic voice and employ communicative skills appropriate for academic and ministry contexts.

FS 504 Formation in Narrative Identity (3 SH)

This course centers a narrative reflection process of self-understanding and theological meaning making. Through personal story telling in confidential small groups guided by a spiritual director, students will pay prayerful attention to their and others’ formational journeys through life’s seasons. Themes arising in personal narratives will be explored in relation to biblical and theological themes. Insights from human development and systems theories, along with the creation of a genogram, will draw attention to sociocultural expectations and familial patterns that impact students’ behavior and inform their identity, values and faith.

Grounded in the understanding that God in Jesus Christ is inviting us to be reconciled— to God, to ourselves, to each other, and to God’s creation—this course is designed to offer learning in three areas: first, a biblical foundation and a historical overview of spiritual guidance; second, developing an understanding of spiritual discernment—the intentional process of paying attention to God’s presence and activity in our own lives and the lives of others; and third, learning the practice of spiritual direction through experience of group and one-on-one soul care.

The kingdom of God —as seen within the biblical text and especially within the life and practice of Jesus—will offer us a graced place to stand as we discern what we bring to the spiritual discipline and art of discernment within congregational life and practice. Lectures, discussions, and prayerful reflection will assist us in discerning our root systems, our understandings of God, how we recognize God’s voice, how we discern gifts and callings, the climate for decision-making, how we reflect on our discerning, and how we live in faithful response to the gospel in all of life—within and beyond the congregation in this post-modern age.

These courses require involvement in ministry under supervision and processing emerging issues in a weekly seminar. The action/reflection method of learning is used to relate the ministry activity and the classroom seminars. Case studies are used to help integrate theology and practice. Students are evaluated in the various acts of ministry. Attention is given to their vocational direction. Advanced arrangements for a ministry practicum should be made prior to the beginning of the class in consultation with the Director of Field Education. For more information see the Mentored Ministry section of the catalog.


FS 613 Home Based Practicum (1 SH)

Students engage in 50 hours of supervised practice in providing spiritual direction or formation in their home area between August and May.  Students will receive individual guidance from faculty based on their project.

This course serves as a two-semester long capstone experience for all Master of Divinity students. In the course students will: 1) continue and deepen the formational work begun in the earlier formation courses (Formation in God’s Story and Formation in Ministry); 2) participate in direct assessment experiences related to the four guiding principles of the curriculum (wise interpretation, mature practice, discerning communication, and transformational leadership), 3) identify and embrace a missional understanding of leadership, and 4) focus on the transitional dynamics associated with finishing a seminary course of study and engaging a new context for life and ministry.