REAL TIME MINISTRY
“It was the single most practical class I took during my entire seminary career.”
“This is a great course that truly meets the goal of preparation for ministry!”
“I would almost go so far to say that this should be a required course for all first year seminary students!”
“I pray that the class continues especially for those of us who are not computer savvy.”
2002 Winner: Award of Instructional Development given by Kentuckiana Metroversity$1000 Prize
Practices and Skills to Support a Parish Ministry
Real Time Ministry
The Intent
Foster a rhythm to students’ future ministry where the care is:
constantly refreshed by the best biblical and theological insight of the community of faith;
effected in a skillful manner; and informed by a practice of piety that
refreshes and deepens the spirit’s understanding of the good news that is the church’s life spring.
Three emphases
Lectio Divinia
Research anywhere
Technology Tools
Lectio Divina
Each student will covenant with the class to dedicate 30 minutes a day for six days of the week to the practice of lectio divina.
Professor monitors postings and discussion on Blackboard.
In-person meeting every 3-4 weeks.
Images: The Carmelites www.ocarm.org
The Postings
“I do a version of the on-line lectio divina with a friend in another state. That has been a great blessing. Thanks for the idea!”
“I was looking forward to the Lectio Divina portion of the class, but hadn't imagined the practice or the small group aspect of the practice would become so meaningful!”
“The computer skills learned were important, but my favorite thing was learning how to do Lectio Divina and experiencing that practice over a long period of time.”
Research Anywhere
Bye-bye Library
Rings of Knowledge
TO
OLS
T E
X T
S
INDEX
ENCYCLOPEDIA
CANON
ARCHIVE
Louisville, KY : Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.
Hello Online\CD Resources
“Identification of web based resources for sermon writing.”
“How we developed our library of resources was incredibly helpful. I have actually just finished my second year of purchases designed in that project.”
“How to search and narrow internet search results to get reliable sources....for book reviews, sermon illustrations, commentaries....all kind of things!”
Technology Tools
Content--continuing
Church management software
PowerPoint/MultimediaExcelWeb searchingReading a budgetElectronics 101
Content--former
Buying a computer/digital camera
Building a website
Worked on one on-going presentation for 9 weeks.
Content--current
BloggingTwitterWikisSurvey softwareWebsite evaluationWorship softwareDel.icio.us
“As a solo with no administrative support, I know what's available for outsourcing (through technology, etc.) so I can focus on what I'm ordained to do.”
“The ability to blog, use Facebook and find web based resources has saved my sanity over the last two years.”
“Power point. I never dreamed I would be in a church that wanted to explore the use of power point.”
Final Projects
Project options
Annotated, evaluative bibliography
Proposed pastor’s library on $500 budget
Multimedia teaching presentation
Content analysis and improvement plan for congregational website
Project developed by student that will enrich one’s work as a pastor
Example
Presentation: God’s Cry for Social Justice Website evaluation and PowerPoint presentation
of findings for website committee at church Church website design subsequently used by
church Elder education program used by the student’s
church Blogging to keep in touch during summer
assignment Church elder website with links to all tools being
used for organization and communication
“I pray that the class continues especially for those of us who are not computer savvy.”
“It was the single most practical class I took during my entire seminary career.”
“I would almost go so far to say that this should be a required course for all first year seminary students!”
“This is a great course that truly meets the goal of preparation for ministry!”
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