Theology for Ministry

What is the relationship between theology and the real life of Christian ministry? This course is a consideration of this question. Taking a dialogical approach, we will facilitate a conversation between doctrine and the daily stuff of ministry—from baptisms to funerals and the often painful life that’s lived between. By moving from doctrinal themes or topics to pastoral case-studies we will work to uncover the “pastoral payoff” of theology. The thesis of the course is this: theology is for ministry—it is for preaching and pastoral care, for sinners and sufferers, for the weary and wounded. To focus (and limit) the conversation, the doctrinal themes will be introduced and studied with reference to The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. This makes the course ideal for those in the English Reformation track, but as the Articles of Religion were intended to be a broadly Reformational confession they will serve well for all who want to think through preaching and pastoring in the Protestant tradition.