THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY RTS Orlando 2DM801 CORE Dr. Justin Holcomb

THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY
RTS Orlando 2DM801 CORE
Dr. Justin Holcomb
July 20 to July 24, 2015
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will be a study of the nature and work of the Christian leader from a theological
perspective. This course provides participants the opportunity to discuss contemporary
challenges to traditional models of pastoral ministry, to interact with new developments in
hermeneutics, to develop a variety of ways for assessing recent cultural developments in the
West, and to renew interest in prayer as a part of ministry of the Word.
This course will be a study of the biblical and Reformed view of integrating theology into
ministry in a way that results in the transformation of lives and culture. Students will be taught
how to use ministry as a means to integrate their studies in exegesis, systematic theology, church
history, and the social sciences. Students will also be taught how to develop a working theology
of ministry in order to apply the practical results to the practice of ministry and to evaluate their
ministries in which they are now engaged.
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Justin is an Episcopal priest and serves as Canon for Vocations for the
Diocese of Central Florida. He is also Adjunct Professor of Christian
Thought and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and GordonConwell Theological Seminary. Justin holds two masters degrees from
Reformed Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Emory University. He
wrote Know the Heretics, Know the Creed and Councils, Acts: A 12Week Study, and On the Grace of God. He and his wife, Lindsey, are the
authors of Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual
Assault and Is It My Fault?: Hope and Healing for Those Suffering
Domestic Violence. Justin is also the editor of four books: For the World,
Christian Theologies of Scripture, Christian Theologies of Salvation (forthcoming), Christian
Theologies of Sacraments (forthcoming). He serves on the boards of REST (Real Escape from
the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments).
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015
COURSE OBJECTIVES
For the students to be able to formulate a theology of ministry that will guide their practice.
For the students to be able to review the history of the development of the theology of ministry
and to isolate issues that inform their practice of ministry and to show how these issues can
enlighten their practice.
For students to be able to relate major themes of Christian theology to the practice of ministry.
For students to be able to formulate exegetical arguments for their theology of ministry.
For students to able to evaluate their own ministry in light of the theology of ministry they
develop.
For students to be able to recognize the role of the social sciences in the practice of ministry and
to compare the relative value of those disciplines with the direction they get from the exegetical
and theological sciences.
For students to be able to embrace their roles in the church, broadly considered, and to set an
example for their parishioners and colleagues that reflects the Bible’s teaching about the role of
the minister.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Integration Paper
Students are required to write a 20 page (5,000 word, double–spaced, 12- point font) course
integration paper. This paper must reflect new work done by the student as a result of this course.
This paper must demonstrate how the course readings, lectures, and discussions can be
integrated/applied to the student’s life and ministry.
This paper should reflect good scholarship, including accurately quoted credible sources (8
minimum references/footnotes) and a References Cited section at the end of the paper. This is
good preparation for writing a dissertation. The paper must also include a specific plan for the
student’s continued application of the course concepts to his/her future personal life and
ministry.
Students will write a personal “Philosophy and Theology of Ministry” (PToM) that reflects
engagement with lectures and assigned readings. Ministry is somewhat context dependent, but it
is wise to have a self-assessment and convictions about biblical norms for ministry in order to
faithfully carry out one’s ministry in any particular context. How specific your PToM should be
to a particular context depends on many factors.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 2
After writing their PToM, the student will describe a problem, conflict, pitfall, or failure that the
student encounters in his ministry and showing how his PToM provides direction for instituting
solutions or programs in the church that lead to a resolution of the problem. The student will then
describe how “believing the gospel”—both on his part on the part of others, but especially on his
part—can influence his response and hopefully the outcome. Especially include how your own
responses, contributions, etc. could have exhibited greater empowerment by and freedom in the
gospel, e.g. repentance, patience, mercy, accountability, etc.
The paper will be graded on the basis of how clearly the situation in the church is described, the
extent to which pertinent issues in the philosophy and theology of ministry are expounded and
applied to the problem, and the usefulness of the solution. Consideration will also be given to the
extent that the paper: reflects the reading done by the student, integrates material from class
lectures, and reflects serious thought about how theology of ministry can and should guide your
practice of ministry.
Integration Papers will be received in the D.Min. office by October 30, 2015. Email to
[email protected] in a Word document (or if necessary a PDF). Save as
YourLastName.CourseTitle.S15.IP. (Sample: Smith.TheologyOfMinistry.S15.IP).
Academic Standards
Plagiarism is considered a serious breach of personal and academic integrity. It involves the use
of another person’s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and
representing them as one’s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also
involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one’s writing.
Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective
measures.
Course Reading
Each student must read 2000 pages of new reading on the topic of theology of ministry and write
a one-page standard book report (see form below) on each book or article over 50 pages in
length. The reading reports are due by the first day of class, July 20, 2015. Please see the
following reporting form samples. Email to [email protected] in a Word document before
the first day of class. Please save as Lastname.CourseTitle.S15.RR (for Reading Report)
Required Reading: (If not previously read)
Baxter, Richard, The Reformed Pastor. Banner of Truth, 1974 (256p) ISBN: 9781456568573
Beeley, Christopher A., Leading God’s People: Wisdom From the Early Church for Today.
Wm. B. Eerdmans. 2012 (128 pages) ISBN: 978-0802867001
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 3
Carson, D.A., The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthian. Baker
Books, 2004 (144p) ISBN: 978-0801091681
Clem, Bill, Disciple. Crossway, 2001 (240p) ISBN: 978-1433523496
DeGroat, Chuck, Toughest People to Love: How to Understand, Lead, and Love the Difficult
People in Your Life…Including Yourself. Eerdmans, 2014 (183 p) ISBN: 978-0802871435
Forde, Gerhard, On Being a Theologian of the Cross. Eerdmans, 1997 (136p) ISBN: 9780802843456
Holcomb, Justin. Reading Packet (22p). Electronic version will be made available.
Hunter, James D., To Change the World. Oxford University Press, 2011 (368p) ISBN: 9780199730803
McGrath, Alister, “Crux sola est nostra theolgia: The Emergence of the Theology of the Cross
1514-19” and “The Origins and Significance of the Theology of the Cross,” in Luther’s
Theology of the Cross (34p). Electronic version will be made available.
Ridderbos, Herman, “Fundamental Structure,” in Paul: An Outline of His Theology (47p).
Electronic version will be made available.
Ventura, Rob & Walker, Jeremy, A Portrait of Paul: Identifying a True Minister of Christ.
Reformation Heritage Books, 2010, (207p) ISBN: 9781601780904
Wilson, Jared, “Gospel-Driven Sanctification,” in Gospel Wakefulness (15p). Electronic version
will be made available.
Complete the remainder of your 2000 pages from the following:
Allender, Dan B., Leading with a Limp. Water Book: Colorado Springs: CO pp. 206 ISBN:
9781578569526
Allison, C. FitzSimons, Another Anglican Way in To Be A Priest, edited by Robert E.
Terwilliger and Urban T. Homes, III (8p). Electronic version will be made available.
Bucer, Martin. Concerning the True Care of Souls. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2009. 200pp.
ISBN 978-0851519845.
Carson, D. A., Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor. Crossway, 2008 (148p) ISBN: 9781433501999
Clowney, Edmund P. Called to the Ministry. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1975.
90pp. ISBN 978-0875521442
Forde, Gerhard, Theology is for Proclamation. Fortress Press, 1990 (208p) ISBN:
9780800624255
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 4
Hanson, David, The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without all the Answers. InterVarsity, 1994.
(180p) ISBN: 9780830816699
Henry, Matthew. A Way to Pray. Ed. O. Palmer Robertson. Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010.
[orig. 1710]. ISBN 978-1848710870.
Laniak, Timothy, Shepherds After My Own Heart. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2006 (253p)
ISBN: 9780830826216
Lawrence, Bill, Effective Pastoring Giving Vision, Direction, and Care to Your Church. Word,
1999. (239p) ISBN: 9780849913532
Miller, C. John. Heart of a Servant Leader. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2004.
319pp. ISBN 978-0875527154.
Oden, Thomas, Pastoral Theology. HarperCollins, 1982. (372p) ISBN: 9780060663537
Osmer, Richard R., Practical Theology: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008 (241p)
ISBN: 9780802817655
Peterson, Eugene, The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction.
Eerdmans, 1994. (179) ISBN-13: 9780802801142
Peterson, Eugene, Working the Angles. Eerdmans, 1994. (192p) ISBN: 9780802802651
Purves, Andrew, Reconstructing Pastoral Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2004 (232p)
ISBN: 9780664227333
Tidball, Derek, Ministry By The Book: New Testament Patterns for Pastoral Leadership.
Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008 (270p) ISBN-13: 9780830838592
Willimon, William H., The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon, 2002 (336p)
ISBN: 9780687045327
Witmer, Timothy Z., The Shepherd Leader. P&R, 2010 (264p) ISBN: 9781596381315
You can purchase these titles through MindAndHeart.com.
Since we are an Amazon Associate Bookstore, buying from us
guarantees Amazon.com prices and financially gives back to the
seminary with each purchase.
We also encourage you to check for used and new books at
BRIGHTLIGHTBOOKS online and on campus.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 5
THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY 2DM801
READING REPORT (due before July 10)
For Dr. Justin Holcomb
BY (Insert Your Name)
(Insert Contact Information)
DATE: (Insert date completed)
Author
Title
# pages read
Total Pages Read
Insert page break between the summary sheet and each one-page report of each book
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 6
ENTER Full Book Title
& Bibliographic Reference for Each Book
You’ll be glad you did when you want to use a quote in a paper, sermon or dissertation 
Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.
Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.
Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value
and relevance of the material in this book.
Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.
Insert page break and enter your next report after report
Please send your Reading Report as one Word document, following the guide below.
Save your as: Smith(Your last name).TheologyOfMinistry.S15.IP
E-mail to [email protected] before the first day of class.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 7
Sample cover sheet for your Integration Paper
Please see writing criteria and grading below
THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY, 2DM801
INTEGRATION PAPER
Presented to Dr. Justin Holcomb
By
(Add Your Name
& Contact Information)
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry
REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ORLANDO
Completed __________ (Date)
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 8
Criteria for Evaluation of Papers
I. Grammar and Style (25%)
*
Is the text clean of spelling mistakes?
*
Is the text punctuated correctly?
*
Does the sentence structure consistently adhere to basic rules of good grammar?
*
Does the footnote/bibliographic apparatus follow Turabian or MLA consistently?
(Turabian, A Manual for Writers).
*
Is the paper written in clear, straight-forward style of academic prose (e.g., the guidelines
in Strunk and White, The Elements of Style)?
II. Organization (25%)
*
Is the subject of the paper clearly delimited? Is it significant, but still manageable?
*
Does the subject correspond to what was assigned?
*
Does the paper have a well-designed thesis statement and outline?
*
Does the running text of the paper adhere to the outline, and are the larger divisions of the
paper clearly signposted?
*
Are the sentences and paragraphs of the text linked together clearly and in such a way
that the thought of the student builds throughout the paper with continuity and
coherence?
III. Clarity and Force of Argument (25%)
*
Is a convincing case made to support the thesis statement?
*
Is the evidence marshaled to support the argument used judiciously?
*
Where the student provides exposition or summary, does she/he do so succinctly and
objectively?
*
Are opposing viewpoints treated fairly?
*
Is there evidence of reflection on the subject matter?
IV. Research (25%)
*
Does the paper draw on primary sources for its main evidence?
*
Are the sources selected and used judiciously?
*
Does the paper demonstrate sufficient depth and breadth of research, given the nature and
level of the assignment?
Recommended Research Resources:
Jacques Barzun and Henry F. Graff, The Modern Researcher (New York: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich,
latest edition).
Mary-Claire van Leunen, A Handbook for Scholars (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1979).
William Zinsser, On Writing Well (New York: Harper and Row, latest edition).
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 9
Grading System for Papers
A: Strong grasp of basic issues, plus something extraordinary. That special excellence may be of
various kinds: formulation, illustration, comprehensiveness, subtlety/nuance, creativity,
argument, insight, correlations with other issues, historical perspective, philosophical
sophistication, and research beyond the requirements of the assignment.
A-: An A paper, except that it requires some minor improvement.
B+: Good grasp of basic issues but without the special excellences noted above. A few minor
glitches.
B: Good grasp of basic issues, but can be significantly improved.
B-: Shows an understanding of the issues, but marred by significant errors, unclarities
(conceptual or linguistic), unpersuasive arguments, and/or shallow thinking.
C+: Raises suspicions that largely these terms and concepts are used appropriately. But does
reflect some study and preparation.
C: Uses ideas with some accuracy, but without mastery or insight; thus the paper is often
confused.
C-: The student has a relatively poor, but barely competent, understanding of the subject.
D: I don’t give D’s on papers.
F: Failure to complete the assignment satisfactorily.
Most of my students get B’s. I try to keep A’s and C’s to a relatively small number. F’s are
extremely rare.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 10
GRADING CHECKLIST FOR ESSAYS
Commendations
Suggestions
_____ Thesis well defined
_____ Focus thesis more clearly
_____ Thesis enlightening
_____ Render thesis more interesting
_____ Arguments support thesis
_____ Marshall compelling reasons
_____ Gets to heart of the matter
_____ Make deeper analysis
_____ Anticipates counterarguments
_____ Defend against counterclaims
_____ Effective use of text
_____ Refer more to the text
_____ Good internal logic
_____ Check non sequiturs
_____ Well structured
_____ Reorganize to support thesis
_____ Good intro/conclusion
_____ Rework intro/conclusion
_____ Clearly written
_____ Fix unhelpful language
_____ Lively style
_____ Adjust tone
_____ Good command of topic
_____ Fix factual, conceptual errors
_____ Good synthesis skills
_____ Consult sources or notes
_____ Well documented
_____ Cite sources
_____ Mechanics transparent
_____ Grammar, spelling distract
_____ Rewriting unnecessary
_____ Rewriting recommended
_____ Grade
_____ Unready for grading
(Modified from Robert Weir, "Empowering Students," Perspectives: National Historical Association
Newsletter 31[1993]: 6.)
Please email your Integration Paper as a Word document
Save as: Smith(Your last name).TheologyOfMinistry.S15.IP
E-mail to [email protected] by October 30, 2015.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 11
Course Objectives Related to D.Min Student Learning Outcomes
Course: Theology of Ministry Core 2DM801
Professor: Justin Holcomb
Campus: Orlando
D.Min Student Learning Outcomes
Rubric




Articulation
(oral &
written)
Scripture
Reformed
Theology
Sanctification
Broadly understands and articulates
knowledge, both oral and written, of essential
biblical, theological, historical, and
cultural/global information, including details,
concepts, and frameworks.
Significant knowledge of the original meaning
of Scripture, and the concepts for and skill to
research further into the original meaning of
Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of
modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate
use of original languages and hermeneutics;
and integrates theological, historical, and
cultural/global perspectives.)
Significant knowledge of Reformed theology
and practice, with emphasis on the
Westminster Standards.
Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that
aids the student’s sanctification.
Desire for
Worldview
Strong desire to conform all of life to the Word
of God.
Winsomely
Reformed
Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos.
(Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with
other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a
concern to present the Gospel in a Godhonoring manner to non-Christians; and a truthin-love attitude in disagreements.)
Ability to preach and teach the meaning of
Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity
and enthusiasm.
Preach
Worship
Knowledgeable of historic and modern
Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct
and the skill to lead a worship service.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 12
Mini-Justification
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Moderate
Knowledge of Bible, systematic theology,
practical theology, and leadership will be
presented and articulated in both written
assignments and a dialogical teaching
approach.
Student will demonstrate suitable use of
Scripture and hermeneutical methods in
understanding biblical values for
leadership and ministry. Direct
engagement with Scripture in the original
languages will not be required.
Material will be presented through the
grid of Reformed Theology and practice.
By God’s grace and through interaction
with the materials and each other,
students will die more to self, and
deepen their affection for the Triune God,
the Church, and their neighbor.
Students will gain an understanding of
the Mission of God, particularly as it
applies to ministry and leadership
Strong
Student reads books by authors that are
not Reformed, and discusses the value
of ecumenicalism as it applies to ministry
and leadership.
Moderate
Materials will be presented that give the
students a better understanding of the
importance of teaching and preaching.
Minimal
Materials will be presented that give the
student a better understanding of the
priority of worship.
Shepherd
Church/World
Ability to shepherd the local congregation:
aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of
gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern
for non-Christians, both in America and
worldwide.
Ability to interact within a denominational
context, within the broader worldwide church,
and with significant public issues.
D.Min. Theology of Ministry, Summer 2015, Page 13
Strong
Moderate
The student will grow in their
understanding of the role of a shepherd.
The student will gain an understanding of
how to interact denominationally,
ecumenically and in the local context.