Applied Ministry

Course Outline & Assessment Information

Objectives

This unit of study seeks to actively coalesce the accumulated learning of previous ACCM courses, the skills you've acquired and the learning community networks in which you've participated into a fitting finale for your Diploma program. This is your best chance yet to demonstrate the practical way(s) in which you're integrating your learning into the day-to-day life and culture of your fellowship. At ACCM, we see this as what the Master can expect from sincere disciples participating in the process of His Body "edifying itself in love" (Eph.4:16).

As with the rest of the Diploma Program, this project is highly practical -- intended to be of immediate application and helpful use in the student's own spiritual community.

The Project

CREATE A PRACTICAL, HELPFUL READING RESOURCE BASED ON YOUR CURRENT CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR CONGREGATION/SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY.

THIS WILL BE THE THE RESULT OF EITHER A MINISTERIAL PRACTICUM OR SUPERVISED RESEARCH

For example, if you're helping with youth ministry, we'd like you to share your learning, your experiences, and any advice you are willing to share with others who might be serving in this or similar capacities.

If you are "wearing multiple hats", as sometimes happens, and cannot decide, you may choose from the following:

  • Youth Ministry
  • Ministry to Women
  • Ministry to Men
  • Children's Church (in particular)
  • Seniors' Ministry
  • Worship Leading and Design
  • Ministry to the Sick
  • Ministry to those who cannot attend regularly due to ill health, distance, etc
  • Ministry to Young Parents
  • Ongoing life-long development of your own pastoring skills and performance

Texts and Supporting Materials

  • Main text - this time, it's you who choose the main text for your research paper. It can be one of the books on the current ACCM book-list, or it can be a book you've located yourself.
  • You can choose from any papers that might find their way onto the course resource web page.
  • You will be asked to provide a bibliography of at least 3 web-based resources from which you have drawn supporting content for your research paper.

 

 

Stages In The Project

 

  1. Agree and Contract the Type / Topic with your ACCM Lecturer
  • Contact your Coach via email and negotiate the specific topic - and whether it will be the result of supervised research or a period of ministry practicum.
  • Explain your choice of subject, text(s) and supporting resources, demonstrating their relevance, need and application in your congregation or spiritual community.
  • Obtain approval for this topic from your local pastoral supervisor.
  • Demonstrate that the resources you intend to use are sound and solid building blocks for spiritual formation, based on what you've learned thus far in your ACCM courses.
  • Submit an initial outline (500 words maximum), explaining your rationale --and what you intend to cover
  • Respond satisfactorily to whatever feedback you receive from your ACCM coach and your local pastoral supervisor.
  1. First Draft
  • Acting on feedback and counsel from both your ACCM coach and your local pastoral supervisor, submit your first draft
  • Respond and adjust, based on feedback and suggestions
  1. Second Draft
  • Acting on feedback and counsel from both your ACCM coach and your local pastoral supervisor, submit your first draft
  • Respond and adjust, based on feedback and suggestions
  1. Final submission
  • 3000 words
Note: For the duration of this research project or ministerial practicum, you will have access to the Applied Christian Ministry and Pastoral Care class webs, where your completed paper may eventually become available as a resource for other students. We hope you will take advantage of this renewed class access to contribute to the current discussion forums. You may also have something helpful to say to later Pastoral Care students. You're very welcome to do so!

Assessment

YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE BASED ON:

  • Demonstrated practical application in your real-world spiritual circumstances
  • Demonstrated willingness to take on board advice and counsel from your ACCM research coach and your local pastoral supervisor.
  • Structure and Presentation
  • Written analysis
  • Cohesion between sections and flow
  • Full referencing for all quoted sources
  • Comprehension and application of the supplementary resources and extra readings used in your paper

 

Lecturer

More about the Lecturer, Phil Hopwood.

Grading System

Check the "FAQ" option from the ABOUT dropdown menu.

 

Queries

These should be emailed to info@ambascol.org

ALL THE BEST WITH YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY!