Pastoral Ministry
Pastoral Ministry
Through Bible teaching, instruction, application and classroom discussion, the student will learn the essential elements in the formation of a pastoral identity, as well as the duty and call of pastoral ministry. Specifically the student will learn what it means to be a pastor, and what are the primary duties every pastor performs, including the proper performance of weddings, funerals, hospital visitations, baby dedications, etc., and the importance of biblical counseling, teaching and ministry in general through the experience of pastors who have been serving for many years. The student will be introduced to the areas of service where they will be able to assist, perform, and instruct others on how to serve in pastoral ministry. The goal of this course is to prepare future servants to serve in the body of Christ.
AIMS FOR STUDENT LEARNING
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- Develop a clear understanding of the unique duties or “job description” of a pastor.
- Identify the character traits and spiritual gifting necessary for pastors.
- Grow in his personal relationship with God.
- Gain practical insights on how to carry out ministry in different contexts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS & HOMEWORK
Students are expected to read, study and prayerfully consider the assigned Scripture and textbook readings before arriving at class. Additionally students must arrive to class on time and be prepared to actively participate in weekly class discussions. Students are expected to take notes during the lecture block section of the course to assist in the retention, understanding, and application of the Scripture covered. Lectures are designed to reinforce what the students read in Scripture and the textbook commentary.
Weekly assignments will consist of two parts, reading and assignment questions. Read the assigned text(s) (from the textbook or articles as indicated in the syllabus) and answer the assigned questions BEFORE arriving in class. Students must bring a hard copy of the completed assignments to class.
- Week 1: Intro – no homework due
- Week 2: Read pages 1-27 of Calvary Chapel Distinctives & pages 45-47 of Church Planting manual & complete Assignment 1.
- Week 3: Read 1Tim. 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9. Listen to “As for me & my wife”, read article Defining the Role of Marriage as a Pastor & complete Assignment 2.
- Week 4: Read the article Building a Leadership Team & pages 94-100, 121-122, & 138-142 of CPTP & complete Assignment 3.
- Week 5: Read pages 104-107 of CPTP & complete Assignment 4.
- Week 6: Read pages 108-112 of CPTP & Complete Assignment 5.
- Week 7: Read HIPAA fact sheet for pastors and pages 130-131 Hospital Visitations & 112-114 Funerals from the Church Planting Manual, & complete Assignment 6.
- Week 8: Read the article “Building Your Women’s Ministry in a Small Church” & complete assignment 7.
- Week 9: Read pages 145-146 of the Church Planting manual Managing Time & Prioritizing Family & complete Assignment 8.
- Week 10: Read pages 118-119 of CPTP, review pastor Chuck’s Recommended Book List & complete Assignment 9.
- Week 11: Read pages 114-116 of CPTP & complete Assignment 10.
- Week 12: Read pages 35-37 of CPTP & article on Worship Lyrics & complete Assignment 11.
- Week 13: Read pages 127-129 of CPTP, review Articles of Incorporation, Church Bylaws, & Starting a Church Checklist. Establishing & maintaining financial accountability (handling tithes & offerings). Complete Assignment 12.
- Week 14: Read page 150 of CPTP & “Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome” excerpt. Complete assignment 13 and Packer, and pay special attention to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
Class schedule
- August 31, 2021 ~ Introduction to class
- September 7, 2021 ~ the call to ministry & the model for the church
- September 14, 2021 ~ marriage & ministry
- September 21, 2021 ~ discipleship & leadership
- September 28, 2021 ~ baptism, communion & the afterglow
- October 5, 2021 ~ weddings & baby dedications
- Octorber 12, 2021 ~ hospital visitations & funerals
- October 19, 2021 ~ women’s ministry
- October 26, 2021 ~ time management for the bi-vocational pastor
- November 2, 2021 ~ dealing with problem people
- November 9, 2021 ~ protecting yourself from disqualification–wine, women & wealth
- November 16, 2021 ~ worship & worship leaders
- November 23, 2021 ~ church business–banking, IRS, compensation, insurance, etc.
- November 30, 2021 ~ a venture in faith
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
- Jason K. Allen, Discerning Your Call to Ministry, Chigao, Moody, 2016.
- Alistair Begg and Derek Prime, On Being a Pastor, Chicago: Moody, 2004.
- L.B. Cowman, ed., Streams in the Desert, Zondervan, 1997.
- Guy P. Duffield & N.W. Van Cleave, Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, 1987. Kenneth C. Haugk, Antagonists in the Church, Augsburg Publishing House, 1998
- God’s Promises for Your Every Need, J. Countryman Publishers
- Kent & Barbara Hughes, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, Tyndale House Publishers, 1987.
- W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1970.
- Thomas Oden, Pastoral Theology, New York: Harper, 1982.
- Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Distinctives, The Word for Today, 2000.
- Chuck Smith, The Man God Uses, Word for Today, 2004.
- Warren W. Wiersebe & David W. Wiersbe, Comforting the Bereaved, Moody Press, 1985. Wayne Cordeiro, Leading on Empty, Bethany House, 2009.
Lessons
Class 2 ~ The Call to Ministry & the Model for the Church
The call to ministry & the model for the church This week’s study will look at the call to ministry. Specifically we will talk about how God calls and equips a man for the role of a pastor. We will also discuss the Biblical model for church and the various leadership positions that God has […]
Class 3 ~ Marriage & Ministry
Marriage & Ministry This week’s study and discussion will focus on the very important topic of the minister and his marriage. The pastoral epistles make if abundantly clear that the man who is called to a leadership role in the church must have his house in order—not just to be qualified for ministry but also […]
Class 4 ~ Discipleship & Leadership
Discipleship & Leadership In our class time this week we will discuss the importance of establishing a leadership team to assist the senior pastor with the work of the ministry. Our discussion will focus on the Biblical qualifications for selecting those leaders, the importance of leading by example, training leaders, and the necessity of delegation. […]
Class 5 ~ Baptism, Communion & the Afterglow
Baptism, Communion & the Afterglow Our class discussion this week will cover the two ordinances Jesus gave to the Church—water baptism and communion. While all Christians agree that these two practices are an important aspect of our faith nonetheless there are differences of opinion regarding how these ordinances should be practiced and whether any spiritual […]
Class 6 ~ Weddings & Baby Dedications
Weddings & Baby Dedications This week’s study looks at two important functions a pastor provides to the people in his fellowship—weddings and baby dedications. What’s interesting is that there is little to no instruction in the Bible to guide a pastor on how to perform these important life events. So we’ll spend our class discussion […]
Class 7 ~ Hospital Visitations & Funerals
Hospital visitations & funerals This evening we will talk about two important areas of pastoral care—hospital visitations and funerals. Once again, we do not find any specific instructions in Scripture that inform us on how to perform these ministries. However, Jesus and His apostles do provide us with examples of how a shepherd lovingly cares […]
Class 8 ~ Women’s Ministry
Women’s Ministry As men it is easy to overlook the value and importance of a strong women’s ministry. Our ignorance is not alleviated by the fact that there are very few resources available to help pastors to understand how a women’s ministry should be set up and run. So we’ll spend our discussion time sharing […]
Class 9 ~ Time Management for the Busy & Bivocational Pastor
Time Management for the Busy & the Bivocational Pastor One of the greatest challenges faced by pastors today is finding the time to do the work of the ministry! There are many reasons that ministers today are stressed out and feel inadequate to fulfill the call of God on their lives. These include, though this […]
Class 10 ~ Dealing with Problem People
Dealing with problem people Pastors expect to be attacked by the enemies of the Gospel. What many pastors are not prepared for are the hostile attacks and unwarranted criticisms that often come from the people of God—the very people that the pastor serves! An additional challenge for the pastor is to discern whether the person […]
Class 11 ~ Protecting Yourself from Disqualification: Wine, Women & Wealth
The call of God upon a man’s life to the ministry of a pastor is a high calling. With that calling come many privileges and great responsibilities. Much like the birthright and the blessings bestowed upon the eldest son in biblical times. And, like Esau who despised his birthright and sold it for nothing more […]
Class 12 ~ Worship & Worship Leaders
Worship & Worship Leaders Theologically we recognize that the worship of God should be central in the life of a believer. That is, everything we do, and think should be with the goal of bringing glory to God for Who He is and all that He has done for us. As the apostle John was […]
Class 13 ~ Church Business: banking, IRS, compensation, insurance, etc.
Church business: banking, IRS, compenstaion, insurance, etc. Of all the aspects of pastoral ministry the most oft overlooked is the business side of running a church. Doing the business of the church involves everything from keeping accurate records of giving and how those gifts are used to negotiating a contract with a janitorial service. […]
Class 14 ~ A Venture in Faith
A Venture in Faith In our final class together we’ll use the first hour to answer your questions about ministry in general and pastoral ministry specifically. During the second hour pastor Paul will share his venture of faith in planting a new Calvary Chapel church in Arkansas as means of both encouraging the students and […]