Course Details

Spirituality for Ministers

Course Description

This course will discuss the theological foundations of the Christian life and explore how ministry is rooted in and gives expression to the minister’s relationship with God. Students will be invited to reflect on prayer, discernment and spiritual growth in the context of finding God in the midst of ministry. The course will present a holistic spirituality that centers on discipleship and life in the Spirit.

Course Goals

The goals of this course are:

to deepen students’ theological understanding, professional competence and practical ministerial skills in the area of spirituality;
to enable students to critically examine their own beliefs, attitudes, and practices in their relationship with God;
to help students integrate their religious experience and their ministry; and
to help students be more effective in planning and facilitating retreats and group prayer sessions, as well as ministering to others as faith companions.

Required Readings

Au, Wilkie. By Way of the Heart: Toward a Holistic Christian Spirituality. New York: Paulist, 1990. ISBN # 0-8091-3118-8. This book provides a helpful overview of a holistic spirituality that opens one to ministry. It describes the basic attitudes of heart necessary for discipleship by rooting spirituality in Gospel love.

Cunningham, Lawrence, and Keith Egan. Christian Spirituality: Themes from the Tradition. New York: Paulist, 1996. ISBN # 0-8091-3660-0. This book reflects on some major themes in spirituality. It treats them from an historical perspective, but also addresses their contemporary relevance and meaning.

Wicks, Robert, ed. Handbook of Spirituality for Ministers. Vol. 1. New York: Paulist, 1995. ISBN # 0-8091-3521-3. This book is a collection of essays on topics relating to spirituality and ministry. It introduces the student to a wide variety of contemporary spiritual authors. There will not be time to read every essay in the book, but it will remain a resource book for further study of topics not covered in the course.

LIM online courses are available for 3 graduate semester credits or 3 continuing education units.

Graduate students will participate in the class by:

completing readings in assigned texts and review of other course materials each week
posting responses to discussion questions and to the reflections of other students at least three times each week (10 weekly sessions)
completing two reflective essays (described in more detail in the course syllabus)

CEU students will participate in the class by:

completing readings in assigned texts and review of other course materials each week
posting responses to discussion questions and to the reflections of other students at least three times each week (10 weekly sessions)

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