- GEN400 Senior Seminar Assignments
- Class attendance and participation -
- The student is to be present, to be on time, and to actively participate in class discussion and activity.
- See the PLBC attendance policy.
- Because this is a seminar style course. The student will be expected to be prepared for each class session and actively contribute to the discussion.
- Textbook reading and response -
The student will read the Center Church textbook in its entirety.
- The textbook is broken down into weekly readings.
- Each section will be read before the beginning of class for the week.
- The student will write a brief (1-3) paragraph response for each chapter.
- The primary content of this response will be your personal reaction and thought/plans on how the chapter's contents should be applied in your life and ministry.
- Due Weekly
- Leading of Textbook discussion -
On a rotating basis, each student will lead the classroom discussion on one chapter of the Center Church textbook.
- The instructor will lead the first discussion as a model.
- A schedule of the discussion leaders/chapters is posted on Populi.
- Bible reading and meditation -
- The student will carefully read assigned Scripture passages and spend time in meditation and prayer over the content of these Scriptures.
- This exercise should accumulate elements which will contribute to the class discussion and the writing of the Personal Philosophy of Ministry papers.
- The particular verses will be posted on Populi week by week.
- Supplemental reading/information -
- The student will be directed to supplemental material (often sermons, articles or videos available online).
- The student will interact with this information to be discussed in class discussion.
- The particular material will be given week by week.
- Personal Philosophy of Ministry in 5 parts -
- The Student will write a personal philosophy of ministry in five installments.
- Each paper will be 5-10 pages (focus on the quality more than the word count.)
- The resources for each paper will be the synthesis of all the material from your entire education as well as any course material and secondary resources necessary.
- The goal of each paper is for the student to integrate previous learning and supplemental research into a unified and thoughtful presentation of their own personal philosophy.
- The papers will cover the following topics:
- Gospel, Mission and Commission -
- What is the good news?
- What is God's plan/mision in the universe?
- And what does He expect/require from us a recipients of and participants in this mission?
- Due Tuesday October 7th at 11:59pm
- Church and Ministry -
- What is the Christian Church?
- What are the distinguishing characteristics of a faithful church?
- What are the goals, activities and responsibilities of the church?
- What are the current and future trends of ministry strategies?
- Which are most likely to be most effective for the coming decades?
- Due Tuesday October 28th at 11:59pm
- Culture, History, and Worldview -
- For the particular culture or subculture to which the student will most likely exercise their primary ministry:
- What are the primary defining characteristics of this (sub)culture?
- What are the primary driving forces in this (sub)culture?
- What are the historical forces that have shaped this (sub) culture and its primary driving forces?
- What are the current and future trends of this (sub)culture?
- What are the current and future trends of ministry to this (sub)culture?
- What are the primary elements of the worldview of this (sub)culture?
- What are the areas of connection with the Gospel and this (sub)culture?
- What are the areas of conflict/challenge of this (sub)culture by the Gospel?
- Due Tuesday November 11th at 11:59pm
- Giftings, Callings, Values and Passions -
- What are the skills and talents that you have exercised with verified fruitfulness?
- What things do you personally value the most about the church and ministry?
- What activities and issues are you most passionate about?
- What do you wish everyone in the world knew/did/didn't do?
- What makes you excited and/or angry with the church and/or the subculture to which you minister?
- Due Tuesday November 25th at 11:59pm
- Direction, Future and Vocation -
- What are your personal goals? What are your strategies and plans to fulfill these goals?
- What are your ministry goals? What are your strategies and plans to fulfill these goals?
- What are your lifelong learning and growth projects which will contribute toward these goals?
- What strategies do you have in place to learn and grow throughout your lifetime?
- How are each of these related to the Gospel, the Church, your culture, and your unique gifting and calling?
- How has your college education contributed to all of these?
- Due Tuesday December 9th at 11:59pm
- Seminar Presentation -
- The student will present in class a summary of part of their Personal Philosophy of Ministry.
- Presentation schedule is posted on Populi.
- Seminar Critiques -
- Each student will read and anonymously critique the written presentation of each part of the Philosophy of Ministry of at least two other students.
- The goal of this exercise is for the student to read and evaluate with critical discernment and then both encourage and lovingly challenge their peers in a way that encourages and sharpens their understanding and application of their personal philosophy.
- Due on weeks with a seminar presentation.
